Snerk. "God is Gr"*BOOM*

[gridlore]

Now that I've scared off 90% of my F-list, what we have hear is a video if some idiot firing a 60mm mortar (missing the baseplate and bipod) while being filmed.

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=170112&page=1

I love the guys chanting Alluha Akbar.

Despite the title, this isn't a case of counterfire. Instead, the round the soon-to-be-squeegeed guy drops is already armed, and the shock of launch is enough to set it off.

Comments

[arib.livejournal.com]

Okay, my lack of knowledge about artillery is coming into play.

What I know about mortars is something like this:

-Tube is aimed in the general direction of target.
-round is dropped into tube, which launches it towards target.
-tube is adjusted until trajectory is where you want it to be.
-fire for effect.

So, what wrong for this kalb?

edited for spelling

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Normally, the round doesn't arm until it is clear of the tube. Contact fuses react to sudden changes in acceleration (like hitting the ground) to trigger the boom. Normally, this arming is set by the force of launching and the round is well clear of the tube before it is dangerous.

This guy managed to somehow arm a round *before* it was dropped down the tube. So when the launching charge went off, the fuse detected the sudden change of speed, and decided "time to blow up."

For this to happen, they would have had to remove the safety *before* running around and setting up to fire. That's asking for trouble.

[biomekanic.livejournal.com]

The comment at the end says something about counter-battery fire though.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Blast is wrong. It comes directly from the tube.

I was, for a time, a M-203 Grenadier. Those 40mm grenades are spin-stabilized and arm after spinning a certain number of times. I had a LT who could catch the things in flight before they armed. He also showed that you could arm one by throwing it like a football. Yes, he played for Army at West Point.

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

The round detonated in the tube.

Small chance of because it was not properly braced, had a piece of debris in an awkward spot. Possibly because stupid muj leaned over the tube at the wrong instant.

Most likely is because round was armed when fired, which is a no-no.