Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

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

Origin
United States
Type
Medium mortar
Entered service
1952 for M29
1964 for M29A1
1975 for KM29A1
Status
In service
Development
Early 1950's
Developer
United States - Watervliet arsenal
Production
Early 1950's - Late 1960's or later (US production)
1970's - ? (KM29A1)
Producer
United States - Watervliet arsenal
South Korea
Taiwan
Designations
T106 (development designation)
KM29A1 (South Korean production)
T-75 81 公釐 迫擊砲 (Taiwanese variant)
Notable users
United States
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The main user of the M29 was the United States, where it has been replaced by the M252.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

M29
The M29 is a smoothbore muzzle loaded 81mm mortar. It can be identified by its barrel, which has ribs to increase cooling rate.
M29A1
The M29A1 has an improved barrel that allows for a higher rate of fire. It is also fitted with the lighter M3 baseplate which can also be used by the original M29.
KM29A1
South Korean production variant of the KM29A1. Produced under license.

Details


Facts M29A1
General
Origin
United States
Type
Mortar
Dimensions
Weight
44.5 kg combined with M3 baseplate
Barrel
12.7 kg
Bipod
18 kg
Sight unit
2.4 kg
Baseplate
21.8 kg M23A1 baseplate
11.5 kg M3 baseplate
Ordnance
Type
81mm smoothbore mortar
Tube length
0.84 m
Loading
Muzzle loaded
Elevation
+45 to +84 degrees
Traverse
5° left and right
Firepower
Rate of fire
30 rpm for short burst
12 rpm for 2 minutes
3 to 5 rpm sustained
Range
4.7 km
Sight
Model
M53
Magnification
4x
Field of view
10°

Media


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.