Mortar Squads

The newest addition to the paintball arsenal is the paintball mortar. Employment of the artillery varies depending on its range. Close support artillery such as mortars should be assigned to defensive positions or difficult assaults to provide fire support.


Simulated artillery fire must be used to full support the infantry. Radio communications are essential as are accurate maps of the field.

Mortar Squad Operations:

The basic mortar squad consists of two mortars crewed by seven men and one squad leader. They are assigned to either the event commander to employ as he sees fit or to specific companies as they are available.

Mortar Squad:

Sergeant (Squad Leader) Commands the fire of the guns.

Gun1

Corporal (Gunner). Aims the gun and selects targets. Must be armed with at least a sidearm. Carries the tube and base plate.

PFC (Loader/Assistant Gunner). Loads the weapon. Must be armed with at least a sidearm. Carries the CO2 system and hose.

PFC (Ammo Handler/Security). Armed with SAW to support guns and carries extra rounds.

Gun 2

Corporal (Gunner)

PFC (Loader)

PFC (Security)

The 52mm mortar is a lightweight (under 30 Lbs) and versatile weapon that can accompany infantry units wherever they are operating to provide direct fire support at the command of the unit leader.

Mortars should be emplaced in positions where they can best support the company area and yet still be protected from enemy detection and counterfire. Firing positions are chosen by the company commander using the METT-T method. A ground reconnaissance is the preferred method for choosing firing positions, but when this is not possible a thorough map reconnaissance should be conducted.

Firing Positions Should:

  1. Place Mortars in defilade.
  2. Allow for easy fire control.
  3. Provide for ease of ammunition supply.
  4. Provide maximum coverage for the attack or defensive area.
  5. Be camouflaged and concealed.
  6. Have proper overhead clearance to allow maximum firing range.
  7. Room for the entire mortar squad.
  8. Firm ground to support the weapons.

Mission Types:

Offense. This mission requires thorough map recon of the area before the 52mm mortars can effectively target enemy positions. Mortars can be used to suppress enemy fire during the attack as well as obscure friendly troop movement.

Defense. This mission requires that the mortar be in defilade. The company’s 52mm mortars are used to engage enemy vehicles and personnel.

Withdrawals: During this phase of defensive maneuvering, mortars fire screening movements to mask troop movement.

Urban: When operating in urban areas, mortars should suppress enemy personnel behind or on top of buildings and clear rooftops and the top floors of buildings.

Fire Methods:

1. Direct Fire

- Direct Lay fire is when the gunner can see the target and make his own corrections.

- Direct Alignment is when the gunner’s fire is corrected by a forward observer within 100’ of the mortar position. This can be a function of the security trooper assigned to the mortar squad or a designated forward observer.

2. Indirect Fire

-When the gunners cannot see a target, the indirect fire method can be used. This employs a forward observer with a radio who can correct mortar fire via the radio.


"It is with Artillery that war is made."

Napoleon

Firing Procedures:

1. Gunner: Responsible for the mortar and mortar safety at all times, gives fire orders and fires the mortar.

2. Assistant Gunner: Loads the mortar, checks positions prior to Gunner firing weapon.

3. Ammo Handler: Handles all ammunition and serves as security element if no other protection is assigned.

  1. To load and fire the RPG 52MM MORTAR, both the first ammo handler and the assistant gunner kneel in the firing position at the right side of the mortar facing the direction of fire. The gunner then kneels at the firing position at the rear of the mortar. The a-gunner turns the CO2 Bottle valve to the off position.
  2. The gunner turns the valve to the UP or CLOSED position. These steps insure the weapon is SAFE and cannot fire.
  3. The ammo handler passes a round to the assistant gunner (Agunner). The handler holds the round with both hands palm up and places the end of the round pointing in the same direction as the direction of fire. The Agunner takes the round with his right hand at the top of the round palm up and his left hand at the back of the round palm down. Rotating to the left puts the agunners' right hand on top of the round as he guides the mortar round into the barrel. With his left hand now at the bottom of the round, the agunner guides the rear flat area of the round into the mortar barrel. During the night the agunner will be able to feel both the round and barrel at the same time. The agunner then guides the round into the barrel sliding his hands down the sides of the mortar (hands must be kept clear of the muzzle). Both the shotshell AND the Balloon round will work, though you will get better range using the balloon rounds.
  4. The A Gunner then opens the co2 valve until the mortar reaches the desired pressure (600 PSI max). The mortar is now charged!
  5. The agunner MUST turn off the CO2 tank valve at this time or CO2 will be lost down the barrel and safe loading cannot occur.
  6. On recieving a fire command, the gunner repeats the fire command to all crew members. If all is ready, and all personnel are aware of the impending firing, the agunner repeats the command back to the gunner. The gunner then fires the round by quickly snapping the firing valve forward.
  7. To maintain accuracy and facilitate bracketing, all crew members must insure the weapon does not move after firing.

Mortar Safety:

1. Never use drugs or alcohol when operating.

2. A perimeter should be set up around mortar emplacements where unauthorized personnel are restricted from entering.

3. The mortar gunner must never leave his post, even if the area is under duress. The gunner is responsible for the safety of the mortar crew and all other parties involved with the use of the weapon.

4. All persons MUST WEAR APPROVED PAINTBALL GOGGLES AND FACE SHIELDS!

5. Never walk in front of the muzzle. Safety tape should be used to designate a fire zone in front of the mortar position at least 30 feet in front of the mortars muzzle to prevent personnel from walking in front of themortar.

Maintenance of the 52mm Mortar:

Parts:

  1. 2” PVC pipe (40 Inches)
  2. PVC medium strength cement
  3. 2” to ¾ “ PVC Reducer
  4. ¾” * 2” long threaded pipe nipples (NPT) (total of 2)
  5. 12” Long ¾” threaded pipe
  6. ¾ “ * ¾ “ * ½ “ metal “T” fitting and reducer
  7. ¾” NPT Threaded ¼ turn ball valve
  8. ¾” Metal Pipe Cap
  9. ¾” 90 Degree Pipe STREET Elbows (total of 2)
  10. ½” * 2” NPT Pipe Nipple (1)
  11. Teflon Gas Line Tape (Yellow)
  12. Spray Paint
  13. Dual Valve Adaptor (CA Adaptor)
  14. 2” Fence Clamp
  15. 2” Threaded Rod (or Bolt) with 2 matching nuts and washers
  16. 2’ Angle iron (2)
  17. Remote CO2 Setup
  18. In Line Regulator

Tools:

  1. Large Vice Grips or pipe wrenches or 1 and a bench vise
  2. Sandpaper or File
  1. Barrel Construction: Barrel is constructed of high strength PVC and should provide years of trouble free service. The barrel assembly can be unscrewed from the elbow/valve assembly if necessary. You will have to occasionally touch up the paint on the barrel due to the properties of PVC.
  1. Elbow Assembly: WD-40 can be sprayed into the open assembly to coat the interior of the elbows. This cen be done by spraying down the barrel after each event. External rust spots can be cleaned with wd-40 and a rag.
  1. Valve Assembly: The valve itself is brass, and the regulator is aluminum. See the regulator instruction to adjust the pressure. 600 PSI is the MAXIMUM the valve can handle. Do not allow the weapon to charge any higher. Set the regulator to about 350 PSI and charge the system to test (the regulator has a pressure check gauge) airworthiness. Use a spray bottle of water to look for leaks.
  1. Take the barrel assembly and screw the last ¾” * 2” pipe nipple into the ¾” to 2” PVC adaptor. Be very careful and only hand tighten this as the metal will destroy the PVC if you get it too tight. Use Teflon tape. Screw the barrel assembly into the 90 degree street nipple. Check the alignment of the “T”, Expansion chamber, valve and ASA feed, and barrel and make sure everything works cleanly. Re-test the pressure bearing areas to insure they are still sealed.
  1. Bipod Assembly: Use a file or sandpaper to remove any sharp edges or burrs. Take the 2” fence pipe clamp and fit it over the end of the mortar barrel about 10” from the muzzle of the mortar. You will have to bend the clamp slightly to get it in place as it is not quite a perfect fit. Once it is properly seated, use pliers to bend the screw tabs so they are roughly parallel to each other. Take the 2” threaded rod (or bolt) and screw a nut onto one end of it (use putty or threadlocker to lock it in place) then slide it through the top hole on the angle iron, then through the first tab on the fence clamp. Slide two rubber coated washers to the threaded rod “between” the tabs. Screw the bolt through as far as it will go to cinch down the angle iron. The bolt should go through the second tab. Slide the second angle iron onto the bolt and attach it with a nut. You will have to adjust the nuts slightly to make the angle irons work smoothly. Use the middle nuts to center the clamp and tighten it to the barrel. You may have to use washers to insure a correct fit. Once in place, use threadlocker to lock them in place. Work the legs a few times to make them open smoothly.