M224 mortar

The M224 60 mm Lightweight Mortar is a smooth bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for close-in support of ground troops.

Description
The M224 system is composed of the
 * M225 Cannon – 14.4 lb
 * M170 Bipod – 15.2 lb
 * M7 Baseplate for use in conventional mode – 14.4 lb or
 * M8 baseplate for use in handheld mode – 3.6 lb
 * and the M64A1 Sight Unit – 2.5 lb

The mount consists of a bipod and a base plate, which is provided with screw type elevating and traversing mechanisms to elevate/traverse the mortar. The M64A1 sight unit is attached to the bipod mount. The mortar can be fired in the conventional mode or the handheld mode. This smooth-bore system can be gravity-fired or fired by using a manual spring-loaded firing system.

It is typically fielded at the infantry company level.

History
The M225 LWCMS (Lightweight Company Mortar System) replaced the older (WWII-era) 60 mm M2 Mortar and M19 Mortar. These weapons only had an effective range of 2000 m. While the M224 was designed to fire all types of the older ammunition, its primary rounds are of the newer, longer-range type that range out to 3489 m.

In 2011, an improved M224A1 version was brought into service. The M224A1 consists of the M225A1 tube, M170A1 bipod assembly, M7A1 baseplate, M8 auxiliary baseplate and the M64A1 sight unit. By reducing the number of components and using lighter materials, such as aluminium and Kevlar reinforced composites, the mortar system weighs 20% less with a reduction of 9.3 lb. The US Army plans to replace all legacy M224s with the new M224A1. Concurrently, a lighter version of the 81mm M252 mortar is being developed.

Ammunition
The M224 Mortar can fire the following principal classifications of training and service ammunition:
 * High explosive (HE): Designations M888, M720, and M720A1. Used against personnel and light material targets.
 * Smoke Cartridge: Designation M722. Used as a screening, signaling, or marking munition.
 * Illumination (ILLUM): Used in night missions requiring illumination for assistance in observation.
 * Training practice (TP): Designation M50A2/A3. Used for training in limited areas. These rounds are obsolete and not used anymore.
 * Infrared Illumination (IR): Produces illumination which is only visible through the use of night vision devices.
 * Full Range Practice Cartridges (FRPC): Designation M769. This round is used for practice or clearing misfires.
 * M1061 MAPAM: SAAB Technologies produced Multi-Purpose Anti-Personnel Anti-Material round.

Fuses
The M224 rounds have three fuse types: The Multioption Fuze (M734) and the Point-Detonating Fuze (M525), and Timer. The M734 is used for the M720 HE round and can be set to function as proximity burst, near-surface burst, impact burst, or delay burst.