Description
The original TDA 81 mm was designed in 1961 (hence the MO-81-61 designation). Since then, three variants have been fielded: * the 81mm LC or MO-81-61-C (''Léger court'', "light short"), with a 1.15-metre barrel; * the 81mm LL or MO-81-61-L (''Léger long'', "light long"), with a 1.55-metre barrel; * the 81mm LLR (''Léger long renforcé'', "light long reinforced"), paratrooper version with a 1.55-metre barrel. The LLR 81mm is composed of a base plate, a barrel comprising the breech, and a bipod. It can use the same pointing optics as the MO-120-RT-61. The LLR 81mm can be parachuted either piece by piece, in a kit comprising a dismantled weapon and ammunition, or in larger crates comprising several weapons. The barrel was reinforced so as to allow firing of all existing 81 mm mortar ammunition.Users
* : MO-81-61 *: MO-81-61-C and MO-81-LLR (2 per infantry company of the French Army in the 2010s) *: light long-barrel version * : MO-81-LL built under license by OTO Melara * : South African M8 mortar * : South African M8 mortar version * : MO-81-LL built under license * : South African M8 mortar * : MO-81-61 produced by Vektor as M3 mortar and M8 mortar (upgraded variant with heavier barrel).External links
Bibliography
{{Current French infantry weapons Mortars of France Post–Cold War artillery of France Infantry mortars 81mm mortars Military equipment introduced in the 1990s