Models
The mortar is of traditional design with a smoothbore barrel, round baseplate (350 mm diameter), bipod and sight unit and is generally available in three different ballistical barrel lengths, which is usually stated in the model's name: * 640 mm * 895 mm * 1000 mm Maximum rate of fire with all models is 30 bombs per minute, when loaded by two people alternately, or 12 bombs per minute, when loaded by only one person. Naturally, the maximum ranges differ depending on the ballistic barrel length and the maximal allowed charges. For all three ballistic barrel lengths a conversion kit is available to fire the mortar in a handheld mode (without bipod and sight) as a '' commando mortar''. The conversion kit contains a small round basepiece, an alternate, slightly bigger rectangular basepiece for soft ground, a carrying belt, an aiming device to set the firing range and a handgrip with a trigger, which has a safety device, so that the commando mortar may be carried with a bomb inside the barrel. Commando versions are called M6C and are portable by one person. With these versions, the operation is restricted to a maximum operating gas pressure of 300 bar. This limits the mortars to using charge 3 as a maximum; however, it is recommended not to go above charge 2 due to precision (therefore the aiming device is for charge 0, charge 1 and charge 2 only). A modified version for Special Forces is also produced. This version is equipped with a recoil absorbing ''damping system'' between the bipod and the barrel. Special Forces versions are called M6H. Hirtenberger also produces mortar bombs for these mortars. Available Ammunition: * HE Mk2, high explosive bomb, filled withM6C-210T
see main article Hirtenberger M6C-210M6C-640T
Technical Data: * Overall length: 825 mm * Weight: 6.2 kg * Weight with backpack (2.2 kg) and bag for auxiliaries (2.8 kg): 11.2 kg * Maximum range with charge 2: 1,384 m * Maximum range with charge 3: 1,921 mM6(H)-640
Firing with the 640 mm barrel is limited to a maximum operating gas pressure of 550 bar, thus limiting the use to charge 5. The British Army dismounted platoons currently have a M6-640 as part of their weaponry. This however is being reviewed. Technical Data: * Bipod weight: 9.3 kg (H: 12.5 kg) * Baseplate weight: 4.8 kg (H: 4.7 kg) * Barrel weight: 4.5 kg (H: 4.6 kg) * Total weight: 18.6 kg (H: 21.8 kg) * Barrel length: 722 mm (H: 729 mm) * Maximum range with charge 0: 464 m * Maximum range with charge 2: 1,384 m * Maximum range with charge 3: 1,921 m * Maximum range with charge 5: 2,872 mM6(H)-895
The Hirtenberger ''M6-895'' 60 mm mortar was procured as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) for theM6(H)-1000
Technical Data: * Bipod weight: 9.3 kg (H: 12.5 kg) * Baseplate weight: 4.8 kg (H: 4.7 kg) * Barrel weight: 5.8 kg (H: 5.9 kg) * Total weight: 19.9 kg (H: 23.1 kg) * Barrel length: 1082 mm (H: 1089 mm) * Maximum range with charge 0: 579 m * Maximum range with charge 2: 1,710 m * Maximum range with charge 3: 2,401 m * Maximum range with charge 5: 3,365 m * Maximum range with charge 6: 3,933 m * Maximum operating gas pressure: 650 barSee also
* M224 mortar - Comperable 60mm mortar in US serviceReferences
{{ReflistExternal links