Moving with the times from Guns to Mortars

7 Field Battery along with other Artillery Reserve Units will be involved in the transition from M2A2 to 81mm Mortar as the primary offensive and defensive weapon system. Training on the new and exciting piece of equipment has begun and will continue to ensure all Gunners in the Battery are trained.

Primary Weapon System

81mm mortar

The mortar 81 millimetre (mm) F2 is a crew-served, indirect fire support (FS) weapon. It's main characteristics are:

  1. Firepower. The mortar is distinguished from other indirect fire systems by its capability to sustain a high rate of fire using a variety of ammunition.

  2. Mobility. The mortar is primarily a man-portable weapon system that can also be deployed using other agencies such as helicopters, wheeled vehicles or armoured personnel carrier mortar vehicles [APC(M)]. In the man-pack mode additional personnel are required to carry ammunition.

  3. Vulnerability. The mortar is easily detectable by its distinctive noise and flash when firing. It is extremely vulnerable to detection by weapon locating radar because of the long time of flight, high trajectory and slow velocity of its ammunition. Mortar crews are generally not capable of defending themselves whilst simultaneously conducting missions.

  4. Flexibility.The mortar can fire at ranges from 200 metres (m) to 4900 m depending upon the type of ammunition used. The barrel can be rotated and fired in any direction by moving the bipod.




It has a crew of:

Weight of Mortar complete:
Elevation:
Traverse:
Can be deployed in 6400 shooting

3 Personal
36.6kg
800mm to 1800mm
100mm Left and Right

rates of fire
slow
sustained
rapid
emergency


1 to 2 rounds a minute
3 to 4 rounds a minute
8 to 10 rounds a minute
20 rounds for the first minute

ranges
high explosive min
high explosive max


200m
4900m

Ceremonial Equipment


M2A2 Towed Howitzer

General Description

The 105mm M2A2 Howitzer is a field artillery piece that can be towed by a truck, lifted by a helicopter or man handled short distances by its detachment. The M2A2 was came into service in 1959 and ended its live firing life in 2009. It is still in service today as a ceremonial gun for the firing of Gun Salutes such as Australia Day and the Queens Birthday Salute.

History
Manufacturer/Design: USA
Date of Introduction: 1959 and still in service
Theatres used: Vietnam

Weapon Data
Maximum Range: 11,000 metres
Ammunition Calibre: 105mm
Ammunition Type:
High Explosive
Anti-personnel
Anti-tank
Smoke
Illumination
Airburst
White Phosphorus
Weight of Projectile: 15 kg
Rate of Fire: 5 rounds rapid 3 rounds sustained
Personnel to Operate: 7 gunners are required
Total Weight in Action: 2259 kg