An obturator ring (4) for a mortar round (2) is proposed where the geometry of the ring (4) is modified by its sliding and striking stationary anvil (18) when the round (2) is placed in the muzzle-loaded mortar's barrel (6) and reaches its bottom. The initial ring (4) geometry does not impede round's travel down the barrel (6) while its modified geometry provides a gas seal between the round (2) and the barrel (6) wall. Several embodiments featuring free-rotating (4), splined non-rotational (4a) and stationary separated (12a-14a) designs are presented. The ring works with both smoothbore and rifled mortar barrels and in several embodiments imparts rotation to the round (2) if used in a rifled barrel (6). An optimized muzzle-loaded mortar barrel (6) operating in cooperation with rounds equipped with the obturator ring of instant invention is also presented, containing rifled (6a) and smoothbore (6b) sections.

A projectile launch container configured to propel one or more projectiles associated with pyrotechnic effects including a gas flow insert comprising a first face and a second face, the gas flow insert configured to be placed within the projectile launch container, the first face configured to underlie the projectiles and the second face configured to overlie a lift charge; the gas flow insert including a plurality of gas flow openings each fluidly connected to one or more gas flow channels that extend at least substantially axially to the launch container between the first and second faces, the plurality of gas flow openings on each of the first and second faces configured to control a flow of gases from an exploding lift charge entering the second face and exiting the first face; wherein the gas flow insert is configured to remain within the projectile launch container following detonation of the lift charge.

A projectile launch container configured to propel one or more projectiles associated with pyrotechnic effects including a gas flow insert comprising a first face and a second face, the gas flow insert configured to be placed within the projectile launch container, the first face configured to underlie the projectiles and the second face configured to overlie a lift charge; the gas flow insert including a plurality of gas flow openings each fluidly connected to one or more gas flow channels that extend at least substantially axially to the launch container between the first and second faces, the plurality of gas flow openings on each of the first and second faces configured to control a flow of gases from an exploding lift charge entering the second face and exiting the first face; wherein the gas flow insert is configured to remain within the projectile launch container following detonation of the lift charge.

A sighting assembly for a mortar employed in handheld mode. The sighting assembly is attached to the discharge end of a mortar tube by a mounting collar. The collar includes first and second distance indicator dials that employ a pointer to indicate the distance a mortar projectile will travel at different mortar angles and charges. The sighting assembly further includes structure allowing a compass to be locked in a housing by a first cam lever. The entire housing pivots about a cam bolt attached to a second cam lever that can lock the housing in a position parallel to the ground at any angle the mortar is positioned. This will allow a measurement of azimuth to a target to be taken. The azimuth and distance measurements can be used to deliver a mortar projectile to the target while keeping the target in the mortarman's line of sight.

A sighting assembly for a mortar employed in handheld mode. The sighting assembly is attached to the discharge end of a mortar tube by a mounting collar. The collar includes first and second distance indicator dials that employ a pointer to indicate the distance a mortar projectile will travel at different mortar angles and charges. The sighting assembly further includes structure allowing a compass to be locked in a housing by a first cam lever. The entire housing pivots about a cam bolt attached to a second cam lever that can lock the housing in a position parallel to the ground at any angle the mortar is positioned. This will allow a measurement of azimuth to a target to be taken. The azimuth and distance measurements can be used to deliver a mortar projectile to the target while keeping the target in the mortarman's line of sight.

A projectile launch container configured to propel one or more projectiles associated with pyrotechnic effects including a gas flow insert comprising a first face and a second face, the gas flow insert configured to be placed within the projectile launch container, the first face configured to underlie the projectiles and the second face configured to overlie a lift charge; the gas flow insert including a plurality of gas flow openings each fluidly connected to one or more gas flow channels that extend at least substantially axially to the launch container between the first and second faces, the plurality of gas flow openings on each of the first and second faces configured to control a flow of gases from an exploding lift charge entering the second face and exiting the first face; wherein the gas flow insert is configured to remain within the projectile launch container following detonation of the lift charge.

A projectile launch container configured to propel one or more projectiles associated with pyrotechnic effects including a gas flow insert comprising a first face and a second face, the gas flow insert configured to be placed within the projectile launch container, the first face configured to underlie the projectiles and the second face configured to overlie a lift charge; the gas flow insert including a plurality of gas flow openings each fluidly connected to one or more gas flow channels that extend at least substantially axially to the launch container between the first and second faces, the plurality of gas flow openings on each of the first and second faces configured to control a flow of gases from an exploding lift charge entering the second face and exiting the first face; wherein the gas flow insert is configured to remain within the projectile launch container following detonation of the lift charge.

A sighting assembly for a mortar employed in handheld mode. The sighting assembly is attached to the discharge end of a mortar tube by a mounting collar. The collar includes first and second distance indicator dials that employ a pointer to indicate the distance a mortar projectile will travel at different mortar angles and charges. The sighting assembly further includes structure allowing a compass to be locked in a housing by a first cam lever. The entire housing pivots about a cam bolt attached to a second cam lever that can lock the housing in a position parallel to the ground at any angle the mortar is positioned. This will allow a measurement of azimuth to a target to be taken. The azimuth and distance measurements can be used to deliver a mortar projectile to the target while keeping the target in the mortarman's line of sight.

A sighting assembly for a mortar employed in handheld mode. The sighting assembly is attached to the discharge end of a mortar tube by a mounting collar. The collar includes first and second distance indicator dials that employ a pointer to indicate the distance a mortar projectile will travel at different mortar angles and charges. The sighting assembly further includes structure allowing a compass to be locked in a housing by a first cam lever. The entire housing pivots about a cam bolt attached to a second cam lever that can lock the housing in a position parallel to the ground at any angle the mortar is positioned. This will allow a measurement of azimuth to a target to be taken. The azimuth and distance measurements can be used to deliver a mortar projectile to the target while keeping the target in the mortarman's line of sight.

A multi-barrel mortar launcher with an array of barrels and a fire control mechanism, where the array is configured to fire one mortar round from each barrel with substantially the same time-on-target in an impact area having an array of blast radii corresponding to the array of barrels.