A Handle and Firing Mechanism Assembly (H&FMA) provides a robust and streamlined H&FMA for a mortar weapon system. The H&FMA is easier to assemble and eliminates jamming issues, and firing pin protrusion adjustment procedures. It also incorporates a lighter trigger squeeze in Trigger fire mode and locks the firing pin in Drop fire mode. The handle is easier and more cost effective to produce. The H&FMA can be used with, for example, a 60 mm mortar weapon system.

A counter momentum generator is employed on a weapon system to manage horizontal recoil momentum of the weapon system. The counter momentum generator generates a counter momentum which that is not parallel to the recoil momentum. A horizontal component of the counter momentum negates a portion of the horizontal recoil momentum. A vertical component of the counter momentum combines with the vertical recoil momentum to aid in compression between the base of the weapon system and the ground.

A counter momentum generator is employed on a weapon system to manage horizontal recoil momentum of the weapon system. The counter momentum generator generates a counter momentum which that is not parallel to the recoil momentum. A horizontal component of the counter momentum negates a portion of the horizontal recoil momentum. A vertical component of the counter momentum combines with the vertical recoil momentum to aid in compression between the base of the weapon system and the ground.

A magazine for storing and launching countermeasures arranged in cartridges, comprising a plurality of longitudinal cartridge cases forming the magazine, where each cartridge case comprises side walls and a front opening and a centre axis, where the magazine is adapted to be mounted on an aircraft, where the side walls of two adjacent cartridge cases are arranged to each other in a slidable manner in a longitudinal direction, and where the magazine comprises a tilting means adapted to tilt the cartridge cases, such that the openings of the cartridge cases can be directed in a selected direction. The advantage of the invention is that a countermeasure can be directed in a desired angle before it is launched.

A magazine for storing and launching countermeasures arranged in cartridges, comprising a plurality of longitudinal cartridge cases forming the magazine, where each cartridge case comprises side walls and a front opening and a centre axis, where the magazine is adapted to be mounted on an aircraft, where the side walls of two adjacent cartridge cases are arranged to each other in a slidable manner in a longitudinal direction, and where the magazine comprises a tilting means adapted to tilt the cartridge cases, such that the openings of the cartridge cases can be directed in a selected direction. The advantage of the invention is that a countermeasure can be directed in a desired angle before it is launched.

A dual and omnidirectional mortar base plate to be used in mortar carrier vehicles comprising a bottom base plate coupled to a mortar and a top base plate; wherein the dual base plate is adapted to move along a movement path from a resting position, associated with a position for movement of the vehicle, towards a work position associated with a firing position for the mortar, and vice versa. Likewise the dual base plate has elements for fast stowage in the mortar carrier vehicle. The dual base plate consists of a bottom base plate, a top base plate, and connection and repositioning elements between the two to facilitate the transfer of the forces generated by said firing to the ground, isolating the mortar carrier vehicle from the forces generated by firing the mortar. Truncated cone shaped hoppers allow the bottom plate to move in any direction in which the mortar is fired.

A dual and omnidirectional mortar base plate to be used in mortar carrier vehicles comprising a bottom base plate coupled to a mortar and a top base plate; wherein the dual base plate is adapted to move along a movement path from a resting position, associated with a position for movement of the vehicle, towards a work position associated with a firing position for the mortar, and vice versa. Likewise the dual base plate has elements for fast stowage in the mortar carrier vehicle. The dual base plate consists of a bottom base plate, a top base plate, and connection and repositioning elements between the two to facilitate the transfer of the forces generated by said firing to the ground, isolating the mortar carrier vehicle from the forces generated by firing the mortar. Truncated cone shaped hoppers allow the bottom plate to move in any direction in which the mortar is fired.

A sight adapter for a handheld mortar that is secured directly to the mortar tube and provides a standardized mounting system for a weapon sight. The sight adaptor is for battlefield mortars not having a bipod. The sight adaptor of the current invention can be easily retrofit onto any handheld field mortar and includes a capability for determining projectile firing range and for correcting changes in the inclination of the mortar tube caused by rotation of the mortar tube on the ball joint of the base plate. The sight adapter a tilt sensor and provides for quick, easy and accurate targeting of a handheld mortar by comparing the target range determined from the sighting device with target range determined using projectile ballistic data and providing simple aim correction indicators to the mortarman.

A sight adapter for a handheld mortar that is secured directly to the mortar tube and provides a standardized mounting system for a weapon sight. The sight adaptor is for battlefield mortars not having a bipod. The sight adaptor of the current invention can be easily retrofit onto any handheld field mortar and includes a capability for determining projectile firing range and for correcting changes in the inclination of the mortar tube caused by rotation of the mortar tube on the ball joint of the base plate. The sight adapter a tilt sensor and provides for quick, easy and accurate targeting of a handheld mortar by comparing the target range determined from the sighting device with target range determined using projectile ballistic data and providing simple aim correction indicators to the mortarman.

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.