M252 81mm Medium Extended Range Mortar

A U.S. implementation of a British 81mm mortar, the M252 81mm Medium Extended Range Mortar is an infantry support weapon which, when separated into four components, can be carried by strong soldiers. It has greater range, 5650 meters versus 4500 meters, than earlier standards.

It can maintain a higher rate of fire because it has cooling fins around its firing chamber. While it does have a fubbel-shaped blast attenuator, its more energetic ammunition requires the crew to use hearing protection.

To pack the weapon, it breaks into:

• Tube assembly: 35lb/16 kg
• Bipod: 26lb/12 kg
• Baseplate: 25.5 lb/12 kg
• Sight unit: 2.5 lb/1.1 kg

Individual high explosive rounds weigh 4.2 KG; illumination, smoke, and white phosphorus also are available. It uses the same M64 sight as the M224 60mm mortar.

It is assigned to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, and special operations units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment.