Abstract: A Handle and Firing Mechanism Assembly (H&FMA) provides a robust and streamlined H&FMA for a mortar weapon system. The H&FMA is easier to assemble and eliminates jamming issues, and firing pin protrusion adjustment procedures. It also incorporates a lighter trigger squeeze in Trigger fire mode and locks the firing pin in Drop fire mode. The handle is easier and more cost effective to produce. The H&FMA can be used with, for example, a 60 mm mortar weapon system.

Abstract: An external firing mechanism for a muzzle loaded mortar system incorporates a drop fire mode, a lever fire mode and a safe mode. The firing mechanism is easy to assemble or replace and does not require an adjustment procedure when mounting to the mortar system. The firing mechanism utilizes bearing balls as a tripping device which transfers potential energy in a compressed spring to kinetic energy of a firing pin oriented orthogonal to that spring.

Abstract: A finless mortar tube made of a superalloy includes, seriatim, a breech end, a beginning taper point, an ending taper point, a lower clamp region, an upper clamp region, and a muzzle end. The nominal wall thickness of the tube is constant from forward of the breech end to the beginning taper point and the nominal wall thickness of the tube decreases from the beginning taper point to the ending taper point. The mortar tube is capable of a substantial increase in the rate of fire compared to conventional mortar tubes.

Abstract: A cooling fin for a mortar tube comprises a plurality of discrete nibs disposed on an external surface of the mortar tube wherein the nibs are arranged in longitudinal rows spaced circumferentially around the mortar tube. Preferably, the number of longitudinal rows of nibs is thirty-six. The nibs have a substantially square cross-section.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; an opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the opening in the wall of the mortar tube; a solenoid having a plunger, the plunger being disposed to open the spring loaded valve assembly; and a vacuum source connected to the spring loaded valve assembly.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; first and second openings in the wall of the mortar tube, the first opening being closer to a breech end of the mortar tube than the second opening; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the first opening in the wall of the mortar tube; and a shoe assembly disposed in the second opening in the wall of the mortar tube. The spring loaded valve assembly is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the mortar bomb rearward in the tube. The shoe assembly includes a shoe that bears on the mortar bomb to hold it in place when the tube is in an elevated position.

Abstract: A training mortar apparatus includes a small mortar tube and a large mortar tube, the small mortar tube being disposed in the large mortar tube; a removable base cap attached to one end of the small mortar tube; a plug inserted in the removable base cap; a removable firing pin inserted in the plug; a second base cap attached to one end of the large mortar tube; and at least one opening in the large mortar tube, the opening being axially aligned with the removable firing pin of the small mortar tube. Improved manufacturing methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mortar bomb retention apparatus for retaining a mortar bomb in a mortar tube includes a lever arm; a lever positioner in which the lever arm is rotatably mounted; a generally cylindrical housing having a central opening therethrough, the central opening comprising a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the lever positioner being fixed to the housing; a shoe disposed in the central opening in the housing; a compression spring disposed around the shoe in the large diameter portion of the central opening; and a shoe cap attached to an end of the shoe, one end of the compression spring bearing against the shoe cap, a portion of the lever arm contacting the shoe cap wherein rotation of the lever arm is operable to force the shoe downward.

Abstract: A bipod support apparatus for an indirect fire weapon such as the 120 mm mortar comprised of a 55 degree ramp and a longer travel distance between the low, middle and high positions which allows for the mounting of the bipods buffer mechanism to the 120 mm mortar tube to stay in one location at 15.54 inches from the muzzle end of the mortar tube, throughout all the adjustment positions and elevation ranges (800 mils to 1512 mils). The three positions, in lieu of the current two position system, eliminate the constant changing of elevation adjustment positions. The new elevating support assembly with its new guide assembly allows for a smooth motion/transition between the three positions of the main base assembly. A new locking mechanism rotates a quarter turn (90°) to lock or unlock the elevating support assembly. Such lock or unlock action now only requires a one hand operation to unlock-lift-lock the elevating support assembly.