Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1193118
The shelling needs to be repeated after some time. Here, the Polish knowledge base directly specifies that, according to combat experience, at least 4 minutes are required by the given threat to recover its capabili- ties after shelling ends – and that largely depends on the seriousness of inflicted damage. On average, in case of 10-30% losses, different targets may recover their ability to fight in 15 to 30 minutes.. Obviously, the effec- tiveness of the attack is influenced by a myriad of factors – ammunition types included. Some other influences include a meter-thick snow layer that reduces the effectiveness by 80%. Similar circumstances can be cre- ated by sand. Rocky surface, on the other hand, increases the effect on target, as extra fragmentation is created by the rocks. Dual purpose im- proved conventional munitions (DPICM) is one of the means that allows for greater effectiveness. However, use of mortar bombs that allow for initiating the fuse above the target (with a layer of steel balls placed be- tween the bomb's shell and the explosive material) also makes it possible to increase the effectiveness against the enemy on the move in open area, up to five times – when compared to contact-fuse HE rounds. When it comes to infantry that is hidden the effectiveness increase is defined as 40%, with only 10% increase applicable to infantry in trenches. Note- worthy, this type of exploding ammunition forces the enemy to stop their movement/fire in case of virtually all of the soldiers 65 m away from the point of detonation and in case of 50% of the troops who remain 125 m away. Data above pertains to the US-made M933 rounds that are being gradually withdrawn. One could claim then that 120 mm towed mortar systems are a very good addition to the inventory of support weapons. They are cheap, relatively light and exhibit a high rate of fire and firepower, as well as observable effect on target, also in case when the firing solutions are adjusted during the engagement. The popularity of such systems is not a surprise then. However, they have some disadvantages as well. The fact that the crews are exposed to the CBRN weapons is obvious. During range of 7,200 m can boast with CEP (radius of a circle within which 50% of the rounds aimed to hit its central point land – Circular Error Probable) of 136 m. Modern mortars with rifled barrels are far more accurate. The corresponding CEP for those is defined as 70 m. When ballistic computer is used and when weather conditions are taken into account, CEP is de- fined as 42 m only. How effective the 120 mm mortars really are? First, one should de- fine the circumstances of target destruction and target neutralization. Destruction translates into inflicting damage on the enemy to a degree where the adversary completely losses his combat capacity which, in turn, means that he is not fighting anymore. To consider a group target to be destroyed, the expected value of irrecoverable personnel and equip- ment losses shall exceed 30%, and probability of hitting of an individual, non-observed target shall be at the level of 50%. Target neutralization refers to circumstances in which the enemy suffers from losses and finds himself in a situation that renders him incapable of fighting for a certain period, or that limit or deprive him of freedom of maneuver, C2 capa- bilities, ISR capabilities or other capacities. It is adopted, for now, that expected value of losses conditioning neutralization of a group target shall be placed within the range between 10 and 30 percent. According to the US ATTP 3-21.90/MCWP manual, to neutralize a pla- toon-sized targets, one should use the following quantity of 120 mm HE mortar rounds: Trucks - 5 examples; MBTs and IFVs - 35 mortar rounds (!), Infantry in open area - 4 to 12 mortar rounds, depending whether the infantry is on the offense or whether it is defending its position, Infantry in forest or jungle - 10 to 25 rounds, with extra conditions as listed above. www.fragoutmag.com