*FM 23-91

FIELD MANUAL
NO. 23-91

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
AND THE AIR FORCE
Washington, DC, 1 March 2000

FM 23-91

MORTAR GUNNERY

PREFACE
Part One INTRODUCTION AND FUNDAMENTALS OF MORTAR GUNNERY
CHAPTER 1		INTRODUCTION
		1-1.	Organization
		1-2.	General Doctrine
		1-3.	Indirect Fire Team
		1-4.	Mortar Positions
CHAPTER 2		FUNDAMENTALS OF MORTAR GUNNERY
Section	I	ELEMENTS OF FIRING DATA AND BALLISTICS
		2-1.	Direction
		2-2.	Range
		2-3.	Vertical Interval
		2-4.	Distribution of Bursts
		2-5.	Interior Ballistics
		2-6.	Nature of Propellents and Projectile Movements
		2-7.	Standard Muzzle Velocity
		2-8.	Nonstandard Muzzle Velocity
		2-9.	Exterior Ballistics
		2-10.	Trajectory
Section	II	FIRING TABLES
		2-11.	Purpose
		2-12.	Unit Corrections
		2-13.	Standard Range
Section	III	FIRE PLANNING
		2-14.	Terminology
		2-15.	Target Considerations
		2-16.	Support of Offensive Operations
		2-17.	Support of Defensive Operations
		2-18.	Fire Support Coordination Measures
		2-19.	Company Fire Support Plan
		2-20.	Battalion Fire Support Plan
Section	IV	TARGET ANALYSIS AND ATTACK
		2-21.	Target Description
		2-22.	Registration and Survey Control
		2-23.	Size of Attack Area
		2-24.	Maximum Rate of Fire
		2-25.	Amount and Type of Ammunition
		2-26.	Unit Selection
		2-27.	Typical Targets and Methods of Attack
Part Two FIRE DIRECTION CENTER
CHAPTER 3		INTRODUCTION
		3-1.	Principles of Fire Direction
		3-2.	Organization
		3-3.	Personnel Duties
CHAPTER 4		MAJOR CONCERNS OF THE FIRE DIRECTION CENTER
		4-1.	Types of Sheaves
		4-2.	Computer's Record
		4-3.	Data Sheet
		4-4.	Angle T
		4-5.	Firing Tables
		4-6.	Ballistic Meteorological Message
		4-6.1	Computer MET Message
		4-7.	The 6400-Mil MET Message
		4-8.	Computation of MET Corrections for Large Sector Capability
		4-9.	Meteorological (MET) Corrections
CHAPTER 5		CALL FOR FIRE
		5-1.	Observer Identification
		5-2.	Observer Identification
		5-3.	Warning Order
		5-4.	Target Description
		5-5.	Method of Engagement
		5-6.	Methods of Fire and Control
		5-7.	Message to Observer
		5-8.	Call-For-Fire Format
		5-9.	Authentication
Part Three MORTAR BALLISTIC COMPUTER
CHAPTER 6		INTRODUCTION
		6-1.	Description
		6-2.	Audio Alarm
		6-3.	Capabilities
		6-4.	Memory Storage
		6-5.	Error Messages
CHAPTER 7		PREPARATION OF FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT
		7-1.	Types of Data Entry
		7-2.	Initialization
CHAPTER 8		TYPES OF MISSIONS
		8-1.	Grid Mission
		8-2.	Shift Mission
		8-3.	Polar Mission
		8-4.	Technical Fire Control
		8-5.	Sheaves
		8-6.	Traversing Fire
		8-7.	Searching or Zone Fire
		8-8.	Illumination
		8-9.	Coordinated Illumination
CHAPTER 9		SPECIAL PROCEDURES
		9-1.	Registration and Sheaf Adjustment
		9-2.	Mean Point of Impact Registration
		9-3.	Radar Registration
		9-4.	Final Protective Fires
		9-5.	Immediate Smoke or Immediate Suppression
		9-6.	Quick Smoke
		9-7.	Special Keys and Functions
CHAPTER 10		DIGITAL MESSAGE DEVICE SUPPORTED
		10-1.	Application
		10-2.	Communications
Part Four M16 AND M19 PLOTTING BOARDS
CHAPTER 11		INTRODUCTION
		11-1.	M16 Plotting Board
		11-2.	M19 Plotting Board
		11-3.	Capabilities
CHAPTER 12		PREPARATION OF FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT
		12-1.	Observed Firing Charts
		12-2.	Modified-Observed Firing Chart
		12-3.	Transfer of Targets
		12-4.	Deflection Conversion Table
		12-5.	Grid Mission
		12-6.	Shift Mission
		12-7.	Polar Mission
CHAPTER 13		TYPES OF MISSIONS
		13-1.	Traversing Fire
		13-2.	Searching and Zone Fire
		13-3.	Illumination
CHAPTER 14		SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
		14-1.	Registration and Sheaf Adjustment
		14-2.	Mean Point of Impact Registration
		14-3.	Vertical Interval Correction Factors
		14-4.	Radar Registration
		14-5.	Final Protective Fires
APPENDIX A		MORTAR TRAINING STRATEGY
APPENDIX B		SAFETY PROCEDURES
APPENDIX C		FIELD-EXPEDIENT SURVEY TECHNIQUES
APPENDIX D		FIRE DIRECTION CENTER CERTIFICATION
APPENDIX E		TERRAIN MORTAR POSITIONING
GLOSSARY
REFERENCES
AUTHENTICATION

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.

*This publication supersedes FM 23-91, 6 December 1991.

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FM 23-91

MORTAR GUNNERY

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