COMBAT ARMS SCHOOLTRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND, PHILIPPINE ARMYFort Ramon Magsaysay, 3130 Nueva Ecija

Introduction To be able to employ any weapon system effectively, you must know its basic characteristics. These include components, nomenclature, and accessories. It is equally important that you learn how to properly assemble the components of the system to ensure that the system functions properly.

Characteristics The M224 mortar is aLightweightSmoothboreMuzzle-loadedHigh angle-of-fire weaponMethod of Fire The M224 mortar can be fired in two different ways:Drop firedTrigger firedEmployment The M224 mortar can be employed in two different ways:ConventionalHand heldComponents The M224 mortar has four main components:M225 cannon assemblyM170 bipod assemblyM7 or M8 baseplateM64A1 sight unit

CannonAssemblyThe mortar cannon assembly consists of a(n)Upper saddleLower saddleRange indicator (used for handheld mode only)Carrying handleTriggerFiring selectorBase plug

M225 Cannon AssemblyThe M225 mortar cannon assembly consists ofLength 40 inches (1 meter)Weight 14.4 pounds (6.5 kilograms)Bore Diameter 60 mmSustained rate of fire 20 RPM

Bipod AssemblyThe bipod assembly consists ofA sight unit dovetail slotLocking-collar knobCollar assemblyTwo shock absorbersCoarse cross-leveling nutDead legTraversing mechanismCable assemblyMechanical legLocking sleeveFine cross-leveling nutElevation guide tubeElevating mechanism

M170 Bipod AssemblyThe M170 bipod assembly consists ofLength (collapsed) 28 inches (0.7 meters)Weight 15.2 poundsTraverse 250 mils (0125 left of center, 0125 right of center)Elevation 0800-1511 milsContinued

M7 Baseplate The M224 mortar can be used with either of the two baseplates. The M7baseplateReceives the base plug of the cannonStabilizes the weaponHelps absorbs the shock in the conventional modeM7 BaseplateComponentsThe M7 baseplate consists ofShape CircularDiameter 19.4 inches (49.3 centimeters)Spade depth 4.9 inches (12.4 centimeters)Weight 14.4 pounds (6.5 kilograms)Socket rotation 360 degrees (6400 mils)

M8 Baseplate The M8 baseplate provides a firing platform for the mortar in the handheld mode.M8 BaseplateComponentsShape RectangularSize 8 x 10 inches (20 x 24 centimeters)Spade depth 2.4 inches (6 centimeters)Weight 3.6 pounds (1.6 kilograms)Socket rotation 90 degrees (1600 mils)

M64A1 SightUnitThe M64A1 sight unit consists of:Weight 2.5 points (1.1 kilogram)Field of View 17 degrees (302 mils)Magnification 1.5 unity powerLength 4.4 inches (11 centimeters)Width 4.75 inches (12 centimeters)Height 7.4 inches (19 centimeters)Light source self-contained radioactive tritiumComponents The M64A1 sight unit can be broken down into these components:Locking latchCoarse deflection scaleFine deflection scaleEyeshieldCoarse and elevation level vialsCoarse elevation scaleFine elevation scaleDeflection knobElevation-locking knobDovetailElbow telescopeSight mount

Assembling the Bipod to the CannonInstructions The bipod assembly can be assembled to the cannon before or after thecannon is attached to the baseplate. There is no set rule as to when toassemble the bipod to the cannon. However, setup time is greatly reduced ifthe bipod is already assembled to the cannon.