| Menon | |
| Origin: | Italy |
| Type: | Anti-submarine mortar |
| Is Ranged: | y |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Service: | 1956–1980s |
| Used By: | Italian Navy |
| Production Date: | 1956–1960s |
| Variants: | Short barrelled |
| Crew: | 3 |
| Barrels: | 3 |
Menon was an anti-submarine mortar used by the Italian Navy during the Cold War. Introduced in 1956, it was used on the and s and s until their retirement in the 1980s.
The Menon system fired a 305sp=usNaNsp=us projectile weighing 160kg (350lb) to a maximum range of 1500m (4,900feet). It fired 21 rounds in 70 seconds that covered an area of about 90by.[1]
The initial version consisted of a three-barrel mortar in a rotating, enclosed mounting that was usually positioned forward of the superstructure, but aft of the gun mounts.[2] This was replaced by the K 113 weapon with a single 4.6adj=onNaNadj=on barrel in the same type of mounting, albeit with a fixed elevation of 45°. By varying the gas vent valves in the three powder chambers, the weapon had a range between 400and. The K 113 fired a seven-round pattern, loaded automatically from a seven-round cylinder.[1]
Short-barreled models were also used, although details are lacking.