M2 mortar
| US M2 60 mm mortar | |
|---|---|
World War II era 60 mm U.S. M2 mortar, G.I. helmet shown for scale | |
| Type | Infantry mortar |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States France Israel South Korea Republic of China China Turkey North Vietnam South Vietnam Vietnam |
| Wars | World War II Chinese Civil War First Indochina War Korean War Algerian War Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War Vietnam War Soviet–Afghan War Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War Nicaraguan Revolution Guatemalan Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Edgar Brandt |
| Variants | Type 31 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 42 lb (19 kg) |
| Barrel length | 2 ft 5 in (726 mm) |
| Crew | 5 (squad leader, gunner, assistant gunner, two ammunition carriers) |
| Shell | 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Caliber | 60 mm (2.36 in) |
| Elevation | +40° to +85° |
| Traverse | 7° |
| Rate of fire | 18 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 520 ft/s (158 m/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 1.1 mi (1.8 km) |
The M2 mortar is a 60 millimeter smoothbore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used by U.S. forces in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War for light infantry support.