160mm Mortar M1943

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**160mm Mortar M1943**
**Technical Summary**
Bore diameter:	160mm (6.29in)
Barrel Length:	3.03m (9ft 11in)
Weight as fired:	1170kg (2580lb)
Elevation:	+45° to +80°
Traverse:	25°
Weight of bomb:	40.8kg (90lb)
Maximum Effective Range:	5150m (5630 yards)
Max ROF:	10 rounds/minute
Muzzle Velcity:	245m/s (804ft/sec)

The Soviet 160mm Mortar M1943 was a breech loading heavy mortar which fired a massive 160mm bomb.

[edit] Description

Originally a simple scaling-up of the 120mm Mortar, it soon became apparent that drop-loading a 40kg bomb into a 3 metre high tube would be too difficult for any man to do. It was redesigned into a breech loading weapon, and contains a substantial recoil system to soak up the massive shock of firing a 160mm bomb and prevent the baseplate from burying itself too deeply.

The barrel sits in a cradle which is attached to a baseplate and tripod. To load the weapon, the barrel is hinged forward which exposes the rear end of the tube. The bomb is then loaded, retained in place by a catch, and the barrel is swung back into the cradle, which in effect closes the breech.