General Facts
- TYPE
Mortar - ORIGIN
United States - NICKNAMES
KM29 (South Korean designation)
T106 (development designation) - DESIGNED
Early 1950's - DESIGNER
Watervliet arsenal - PRODUCTION
Late 1950's - 1960's - PRODUCERS
South Korea
United States - Watervliet arsenal - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good rate of fire
Reasonable range
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.
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The main user of the M29 was the United States, where it has been replaced by the M252.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.
M29
The M29 is a smoothbore muzzle loaded 81mm mortar. It can be identified by its barrel, which has ribs to increase cooling rate. 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.
- Specifications:
- M29
| Type | Mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 |
| Ordnance | 60mm smoothbore mortar |
| Elevation | +45 to +84° |
| Traverse | 5° left and right |
| Rate of fire | 30 rpm (max), 13 rpm (sustained) |
|---|---|
| Range | 4.7 km |
| Carriage | None |
| Weight | 44.5 kg |
| Length | ? |
| Width | ? |
|---|---|
| Height | ? |
| Towing vehicle | - |
| Speed | - |
| Remarks | - |
81mm M252
The M29 was replaced in US service by the M252 version of the British L16 mortar.