XT-99 81 mm Mortar
The XT-99 is an 81 mm mortar, typically used by military forces for indirect fire support. The XT-99 represents a significant advancement in Taiwan's artillery capabilities, aligning with their strategic needs for a versatile and mobile indirect fire support weapon. Mortars like the XT-99 are versatile, portable artillery pieces that can launch explosive shells at high angles, allowing them to hit targets that are not in the direct line of sight. At the Taipei Aerospace Exhibition in 2009 and 2011, the Arms Administration of Taiwan demonstrated the 81 mm XT-99 mortar that may replace the T-75 81 mm mortar. It uses a K-type tripod and claims that the barrel pressure can be New equipment that can withstand 16,000 psi and has a range of more than 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). But so far there are no further testing or procurement details.
Because of the low chamber pressure of the mortar its shell structure is relatively special, and it can be "thin skin and large filling" - unlike howitzer shells, which need to adapt to relatively high chamber pressure, they can only use relatively thick carapaces to wrap explosives in limited projectiles, so the charge of howitzer shells is often not as good as that of mortars of the same caliber. The shells are light but powerful, so light infantry, mountain infantry and other units have always been fans of mortars.
| Key Features of the XT-99 81 mm Mortar | |
| Caliber | 81 mm, which refers to the diameter of the mortar shell. |
| Portability | Designed to be relatively lightweight and easy to transport by a small team. |
| Range | Typically, 81 mm mortars have a range of about 5 to 6 kilometers, depending on the type of ammunition used. |
| Rate of Fire | Capable of a high rate of fire, often around 15 rounds per minute. |
| Versatility | Can be used for various types of missions, including suppressing enemy positions, destroying light fortifications, and providing smoke screens or illumination. |
| Components | |
| Barrel | The long tube through which the mortar round is fired. |
| Baseplate | Provides stability and absorbs recoil. |
| Bipod | Supports and allows for elevation and traverse adjustments. |
| Aiming Devices | Such as sighting equipment to ensure accurate targeting. |
| Usage | |
| Deployment | Typically deployed by infantry units. |
| Ammunition Types | High-explosive (HE) rounds for anti-personnel and anti-material targets, smoke rounds for screening movements, and illumination rounds for night operations. |
| Operational Role | Provides critical fire support in both defensive and offensive operations. It is especially valuable in mountainous and urban warfare due to its ability to fire at high angles. |
| Mobility | Light enough to be carried by infantry units, making it highly mobile. |
| Ease of Operation | Designed for quick setup and operation, allowing for rapid response in dynamic combat situations. |
| Precision | Improved aiming systems enhance accuracy, making it effective in hitting enemy positions with minimal collateral damage. |
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