M57 mortar explained

M57 60mm Mortar
Type:	Mortar
Is Ranged:	yes
Is Artillery:	yes
Wars:	South African Border War Yugoslav Wars Second Liberian Civil War Northern Mali conflict^[1]
Designer:	Military Technical Institute
Manufacturer:	PPT Namenska
Weight:	19.7 kg
Crew:	3
Caliber:	60mm
Rate:	25-30 rpm
Max Range:	2537m with mortar shell M73
Feed:	manual
Sights:	NSB-1

The Yugoslavian 60mm M57 Mortar^[2] was generally based on the design of the US 60mm M2 Mortar. Currently, the M57 Mortar is produced by the Serbian company PPT Namenska,^[3] and is still used by the 72nd Brigade for Special Operations of the Serbian Armed Forces.^{[4] [5]}

Purpose

The M57 60mm mortar is intended to provide fire support on short ranges. It is capable of eliminating live forces, firing posts and machine gun nests.

Ammunition

HE Mortar Shell^[6]

• 60 mm HE Mortar Shell M73 P4
• 60 mm HE Mortar Shell M73 P3

Smoke Mortar Shell^[7]

• 60 mm Smoke Mortar Shell M73P2
• 60 mm High-Smoke Mortar Shell M93

Illuminating Mortar Shell^[8]

• 60 mm Illuminating Mortar Shell M67P2

Operators

• Armenia^[9]
  • Liberia^[10]
• ^[1]
  • • • Ukraine

^[11] one shown in a video in use by Ukrainian fighters.

See also

• M2 mortar
• M224 mortar

Notes and References

1. News: fr. Défense : où en sont les Forces armées maliennes ? . Laurent. Touchard. 11 June 2014. Jeune Afrique.
2. Web site: M57 60mm Mortar. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302213639/http://www.krusik.rs/MS/MB/60mm.M57.htm. 2014-03-02.
3. Web site: PPT - Production capacities.
4. Web site: Војска Србије | Вести | Гађања јединица Специјалне бригаде . 2014-02-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224181754/http://www.vs.rs/index.php?news_article=8bf14354-9afc-11e3-9f60-00163e135009 . 2014-12-24 . dead .
5. Web site: Archived copy . 2014-02-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141224181750/http://www.vs.rs/content/news/8bf14354-9afc-11e3-9f60-00163e135009.jpg . 2014-12-24 . dead .
6. Web site: Krusik HE - HE mortar shell. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302221807/http://www.krusik.rs/MS/MBM%2060mm/60mm_he_MBM.htm. 2014-03-02.
7. Web site: Krusik Smoke - Smoke mortar shell. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302221441/http://www.krusik.rs/MS/MBM%2060mm/WP_60mm.htm. 2014-03-02.
8. Web site: Krusik Illuminating - Illuminating mortar shell. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302210951/http://www.krusik.rs/MS/MBM%2060mm/ILL.60mm.htm. 2014-03-02.
9. Web site: Oryx . The Fight For Nagorno-Karabakh: Documenting Losses On The Sides Of Armenia And Azerbaijan . 2024-06-26 . Oryx.
10. Book: Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied. https://web.archive.org/web/20101112154702/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2003.html. dead. November 12, 2010. http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2003/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2003-Chapter-03-EN.pdf#page=24. Insights and Mysteries: Global Small Arms Transfers. Oxford University Press. 2003. Small Arms Survey. Small Arms Survey. 119. 0199251754. .
11. Web site: Ukraine war: Troops fire mortars and use drone . 2022-03-15.