The Mortier de 81mm léger long renforcé (LLR 81 mm) is a mortar used by the French Army, manufactured by Thales. Introduced in 1997, it is the latest iteration of the TDA 81 mm light mortar family.[2]
Description
The original TDA 81 mm was designed in 1961 (hence the MO-81-61 designation). Since then, three variants have been fielded:
- the 81mm LC or MO-81-61-C (Léger court, "light short"), with a 1.15-metre barrel;
- the 81mm LL or MO-81-61-L (Léger long, "light long"), with a 1.55-metre barrel;
- the 81mm LLR (Léger long renforcé, "light long reinforced"), paratrooper version with a 1.55-metre barrel.[2]
The LLR 81mm is composed of a base plate, a barrel comprising the breech, and a bipod. It can use the same pointing optics as the MO-120-RT-61.[3]
The LLR 81mm can be parachuted either piece by piece, in a kit comprising a dismantled weapon and ammunition, or in larger crates comprising several weapons. The barrel was reinforced so as to allow firing of all existing 81 mm mortar ammunition.[3]
Users
Benin: MO-81-61[4]
France: MO-81-61-C[5] and MO-81-LLR (2 per infantry company of the French Army in the 2010s)[3]
Ireland: light long-barrel version[6]
Italy: MO-81-LL built under license by OTO Melara[7][5]
Kuwait: South African M8 mortar[8]
Malaysia: South African M8 mortar version
Pakistan: MO-81-LL built under license[9]
Peru: South African M8 mortar[8]
South Africa: MO-81-61 produced by Vektor as M3 mortar and M8 mortar (upgraded variant with heavier barrel).[8]
External links
Bibliography
- ^ a b c "MO 81MM LLR". tda-armements.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ a b Gander, Terry J. (4 June 2001). "TDA 81 mm light mortars". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003. pp. 1841–1842.
- ^ a b c "Mortier 81 mm LLR". defense.gouv.fr. 13 July 2016.
- ^ Gander, Terry J. (22 November 2000). "National inventories, Benin". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. p. 949.
- ^ a b Wiener, Friedrich (1987). The armies of the NATO nations: Organization, concept of war, weapons and equipment. Truppendienst Handbooks Volume 3. Vienna: Herold Publishers. p. 464.
- ^ "Army Weapons - 81 mm mortar". military.ie. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
- ^ Gander, Terry J. (27 April 1994). "Italian mortars". Jane's Infantry Weapons 1994-1995. pp. 2977–2978.
- ^ a b c Gander, Terry J. (4 June 2001). "Vektor 81 mm M3 mortar". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003. pp. 4024–4025.
- ^ Gander, Terry J. (4 June 2001). "81 mm light mortar". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003. pp. 3218–3219.