81MM SYSTEM | Hirtenberger Defense Systems

THE COMPREHENSIVE 81 MM SYSTEM

Developed by Hirtenberger Defence Systems (HDS), the rugged and reliable M8 comprises an 81 mm long-range weapon available in different barrel lengths, an entire range of ammunition, auxiliary field equipment, sighting systems and a fully digital fire-control system containing all ballistic data. The precise engineering and carefully coordinated development of the M8 facilitates high degrees of effectiveness in challenging environments, optimising performance at all times.

HDS ammunition is made to the highest quality and safety standards, and includes high-explosive, smoke variants (white phosphorous, red phosphorous and titanium tetrachloride), visible and infrared illumination, as well as training ammunition.

BIPOD

The newly designed asymmetrical bipod carries the shock absorber, the barrel clamp and the elevating, traverse and cross levelling gear. The patented elevating gear together with the other adjusting gears constitute an optimal ergonomic solution.

The results are: Easy handling during assembly and aiming, easy training of personnel and trouble-free operation on all types of terrain. All gears are sealed against dust and water.

BARREL AND BREECH CAP

The forged high-strength special steel barrel with smooth, close-tolerance bore can be provided with specially designed ribs for reinforcement and improved heat dissipation, this allows much higher firing stresses. The breech plug, which is screwed into the barrel, has a rigidly mounted firing pin. If necessary, the latter can be easily removed from the assembled mortar.

BASE PLATE

The base plate is drop-forged and made of a high-strength aluminium alloy with reinforcing ribs. The design combines low weight with high stability so that the base plate is able to withstand highest impact stresses.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Additional at the bipod two shock absorbers are reducing the recoil of the weapons and maintaining the stability of the complete weapon system also in rough terrain of military operations. The reduced recoil also enable the long-range accuracy at a maximum range up to 6 000 meters.

SIGHTING SYSTEM

The Mortar Sight A06 is used for the indirect aiming of M8 mortar in azimuth and elevation and it consists of a mechanical aiming device with precise elevation and azimuth adjustment means by worm gear for angle setting and with an optical sighting telescope. The coarse and fine azimuth scales can be adjusted, clamped and disengaged for a fast adjustment. Vial levels are mounted on the housing and the optical sighing telescope which can be be tilted + / – 25 ° and also rolled axially 90 °.

For night operation, the A06 is equipped with an electrical illumination system based on LED-technology which provides illumination of the scales, bubbles and the reticle powered by 2 standard batteries 1.5 V (Type AA).