Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

60mm M19



Overview


60mm M19

US 60mm M19 mortar on M5 baseplate with bipod.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Light mortar
Entered service
1943
Status
Limited service
Development
1940 - 1942
Developer
United States
Production
1942 - 1970's?
Producer
United States - Watervliet Arsenal
Number produced
Produced in large quantities
Designations
T18E6 (prototype designation)
KM19 (South Korean service)
Notable users
United States
Japan

Description


Introduction

The M19 is a World War 2 era 60mm light mortar of US origin. It was designed to replace the older 60mm M2 mortar in US service. Development took place in the early years of World War 2 and it was introduced in 1942.

Design

The M19 is a conventional muzzle loaded, drop fired, smoothbore mortar. It has a longer and heavier barrel than the M2. The M19 is fitted with a bipod and square baseplate. The M19 can also be fitted M1 baseplate, with elevation being done manually. The M19 can be set to be drop fired or fire by trigger lever.

Firepower

The M19 fires the same 60mm ammunition as the older M2 mortar. The maximum range is 1.8 km. The maximum rate of fire 30 rounds per minute with 18 rounds per minute being normal and 8 rounds per minute in sustained fire.

Mobility

The M19 is easy to carry by a single person. It is slightly heavier than the M2 mortar it was designed to replace. Normally it is used with the M5 baseplate and associated bipod. A more portable setup for use in the assault role is the use of the M1 baseplate without bipod.

Users

The primary user of the M19 were the US armed forces. Since the introduction of the M224 the M19 has been put in reserve. The M19 was widely exported to Asia, South America and some Western allies. The M19 is still in use with many nations.

Details


Facts 60mm M19 on M5 baseplate 60mm M19 on M1 baseplate
General
Origin
United States
Type
Mortar
Crew
2
Dimensions
Weight
23.4 kg
Length
819 mm with baseplate
Ordnance
Type
60mm smoothbore mortar
Barrel length
726 mm
Muzzle velocity
89 m/s
Elevation
+40 to +85°
Traverse
7° left and right
Fire control
Sights
Indirect fire sight
Firepower
Rate of fire
30 rpm maximum
18 rpm for 4 minutes
8 rpm sustained
Range
1.8 km
Baseplate
Model
M5
Type
Square baseplate with bipod and indirect fire sight

Media


Related articles


60mm M2

The M19 was developed to supplement and replace the M2. However, the M2 was used alongside the M19 until the 1970's.

60mm M224

The M224 replaced the M19 in US military service. It is a larger and much more capable mortar. The M224 retains the ability to be used both in conventional setup with bipod and as an assault mortar.