81mm M29
KM29A1, T-75
Overview
81mm M29
Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division with the 81mm M29 mortar in Vietnam.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
1964 for M29A1
1975 for KM29A1
1970's - ? (KM29A1)
South Korea
Taiwan
KM29A1 (South Korean production)
T-75 81 公釐 迫擊砲 (Taiwanese variant)
South Korea
Taiwan
Description
Introduction
The M29 is a conventional smoothbore 81mm mortar of US origin. It entered US service in the late 1950's to provide a longer range than the older M1. It was used extensively in the Vietnam war.
Layout
The M29 is a smoothbore muzzle loaded mortar and has a conventional layout. It consists of the ribbed barrel, a round baseplate and bipod with sight assembly.
Firepower
The M29 fires a variety of 81mm shells, including those used by the older M1. The maximum range is 4.7 km. The maximum rate of fire is 30 rounds per minute, with 13 rounds per minute being normal.
Mobility
The M29 can be disassembled in three pieces that can be transported by infantry over short distances.
The M29 has also been mounted on a turntable in the M113 armored personnel carrier, resulting in the M125 mortar carrier. Several nations have made a self-propelled mortar using the M29.
Users
The main user of the M29 was the United States, where it has been replaced by the M252. It has been exported to many nations around the world and remains in use.
Variants
81mm M29
81mm M29 mortar being loaded.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
List of production models
Details
Media
81mm M29
Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division with the 81mm M29 mortar in Vietnam.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
81mm M29
American 81mm M29 mortar fitted with the lighter M3 aluminum base plate.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
81mm M1
The M29 was developed to replace the World War 2 era M1 in US military service.
81mm M252
In US military service the M29 was replaced by the M252, the US production model of the British L16 mortar.
K281A1 self-propelled mortar
The 81mm M29 mortar is the main armament of the K281A1 mortar carrier.