"The new extended-range 120mm mortar ballistic test cannon " Topic

"The U.S. Army's Benét Laboratories, which is collocated on the Watervliet Arsenal, recently announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in the research and development of an extended-range 120mm mortar ballistic test cannon that if fielded, will greatly increase the survivability of U.S. infantrymen.

"After several years of research and design, we now have a 120mm mortar test system that has just left the arsenal en route to the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona for live-fire testing," said Robert Cooley, a mechanical engineer with Benét Labs. "This weapon will allow us to test a number of new technologies needed to support extended range mortars and support improvements to ammunition and propellants."

The arsenal's production of 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm systems used by the US Army has greatly increased in recent years as the battles in mountainous Afghanistan required a highly mobile, responsive, and high-altitude delivery system. Although the effectiveness of these systems is well documented in recent combat operations, their technology is more than 30 years old, Cooley said. Improved, lighter, 60mm and 81mm systems have started reaching the field over the last few years…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Since when is a mortar a cannon?

Is it a mortar or a cannon or a cannon that fires mortars?

(In all fairness, that's just in the headline and doesn't seem to be used in the article, but it seems to me that someone at "Army Recognition" does not know what they are talking about. Unless, of course, I don't, and mortars are called cannons.)

Rob

Rob

Interesting as always.
This approach is kind of mission creep. The whole thing as I understand it is that mortars are:-
a) Cheap- low velocity relatively low accuracy (because of low velocity) needing low tech ceap sights.
b) Very high yeild. Becuase they are low velocity short range you get more Band for your pound of shell.

If you want long range you need a higer velocity, plus higher teck sights and you getlass Bang per pound of shell. Like base bleed shells tou get lass ban for pound weight.

Basicaly thy are trying to make a gun. Seems a bit like the Humvee, Jack of all trades Crap at them all!

Anyone remember the US Marines Howtar? Very similar. Take a 120 (there 4.2") barrel mount it on a gun carriage. Bingo loner ranger support. Better propellants etc increase range and bang on arrival.

Doesn't need the vast input of years of testing, just go to Aberdeen proving and pick up museum sample. Mind that wouldn't keep load of people employed for years would it?

Cynical old John FoA

Anyone remember the US Marines Howtar? Very similar. Take a 120 (there 4.2") barrel mount it on a gun carriage. Bingo loner range support. Better propellants etc increase range and bang on arrival.

Doesn't need the vast input of years of testing, just go to Aberdeen proving and pick up museum sample. Mind that wouldn't keep load of people employed for years would it?

Cynical old John FoA

The Marines are currently using a French 120mm rifled mortar as one of their expeditionary artillery pieces. Better range than an ordinary 120mm.

Personally, I'd be wanting the lightest possible tube for a mortar as the design priority, sustained rate of fire coming in behind that.

Yes, mortars are a subset of the weapons known as cannons, characterized by a high trajectory, relatively short range, and short barrels. Named the "mortar" because of its resemblance to the mortar and pestle used by apothecaries, its original purpose was to lob huge projectiles over the walls and fortifications of medieval cities (this at a time when most cannons were direct-fire weapons, unlike today). Nowadays, the term "mortar" is still used for smaller cannons that typically fire a fin-stabilized round at a high trajectory, and most people equate the term with the man-portable infantry mortar, which was invented during WWI (which is why they are sometimes still called "trench mortars").