View source for Brandt 60 mm LR gun-mortar

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Brandt long-range gun-mortar
| image              = AML-60-20Serval crop.PNG
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = [[Panhard AML|Panhard AML 60-20 ''Serval'']] on parade, with the Brandt 60mm LR gun-mortar.
| origin             = France
| type               = [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = y
| is_explosive       =
| is_artillery       = y
<!-- Service history -->
| service            =
| used_by            =
| wars               =
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Edgar Brandt]]
| design_date        =
| manufacturer       =
| unit_cost          =
| production_date    =
| number             =
| variants           =
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         =
| weight             = {{Convert|75|kg|lb}}
| length             = {{Convert|1.8|m|ftin}}
| part_length        = 1.80m (70in)
| width              =
| height             =
| diameter           =
| crew               =
| passengers         =
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          =
| cartridge_weight   = {{Convert|2.2|kg|lb}}
| caliber            = {{Convert|60|mm|in}}
| barrels            =
| action             =
| rate               = 10 rpm
| velocity           = {{convert|250|m/s|ft/s}}
| range              = {{convert|5000|m|yd}}
| max_range          =
| feed               =
| sights             =
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             =
| recoil             =
| carriage           =
| elevation          = -11° to +75°
| traverse           = Depends on mounting; up to 360°
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling            =
| filling_weight     =
| detonation         =
| yield              =
}}
The '''Brandt 60&nbsp;mm long-range gun-mortar''' is a [[breech loading]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] capable of firing on a flat trajectory. It was developed from the [[Brandt Mle CM60A1]] and resembles a long-barrelled, long-ranged variant of that weapon.<ref name="Knox">{{cite journal| author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| title = Cavalry Mortars — A Better Way| journal = [[Armor magazine]]| pages = 17–22| publisher = US Army Armor Center| location = Fort Knox, Kentucky| date = September–October 1995}}</ref>
==Description==
The Brandt 60mm LR gun-mortar was developed directly from the [[Brandt Mle CM60A1]] and retains the same falling block breech mechanism reminiscent of direct fire artillery.<ref name="ADJ1">''[https://books.google.com/books/about/African_Defence_Journal.html?id=ivYxAQAAIAAJ African Defence Journal, Issues 17–28]''. The Journal, 1982, Collected Issues 17–28. p. 44.</ref> The firing pin is automatically withdrawn when the breech is unlocked, reducing the potential for misfire.<ref name="ADJ1"/> Like its predecessor, it can be either muzzle-loaded or breech-loaded and was designed to be mounted in the turrets of [[armored fighting vehicle]]s.<ref name="ADJ1"/> The LR gun-mortar was also tested as a deck-mounted support weapon for maritime patrol craft such as the [[Vedette côtière de surveillance maritime|VCSM]].<ref name="ADJ1"/> It utilizes a hydraulic recoil system.<ref name="Knox"/> The recoil length is {{convert|170|mm|abbr=on}}, maximum recoil thrust is {{convert|2,800|kg|abbr=on}}, and the weight of the recoiling mass is {{convert|75|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADJ1"/>
The LR gun-mortar has a total length of {{convert|1.8|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADJ1"/> Different variants were produced with electrical or mechanical firing mechanisms.<ref name="ADJ1"/>
==Ammunition==
The LR gun-mortar was designed to fire specialized long range ammunition with an [[indirect fire]] range of {{convert|5,000|m|abbr=on}} and a [[direct fire]] range of {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADJ1"/> The standard LR high-explosive projectile possessed a fuze which detonated at any angle of impact.<ref name="ADJ1"/> It was manufactured of perlitic cast iron and had unfolding fins.<ref name="ADJ1"/> The projectile weights {{convert|2.2|kg|abbr=on}} and is {{convert|367|mm|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name="ADJ1"/> Brandt claimed that its explosive charge possessed an efficiency comparable to that of an {{convert|81|mm|abbr=on}} mortar bomb.<ref name="ADJ1"/>
The LR gun-mortar could also fire any of the standard {{convert|60|mm|abbr=on}} ammunition produced for French infantry mortars, including the Mk 72, Mk 61, and Mk 35/47 high-explosive projectiles, as well as the Mk 63 illumination shell.<ref name="ADJ1"/> However, without the specialized ammunition indirect fire range is reduced to {{convert|3,000|m|abbr=on}} and direct fire range to {{convert|400|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ADJ1"/>
==See also==
*[[Brandt 60 mm HB gun-mortar]]
*[[MCB-81]] 81 mm gun-mortar
*[[2B9 Vasilek]] 82 mm gun-mortar
*[[List of artillery]]
*[[List of infantry mortars]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Hogg, Ian (2000). ''Twentieth-Century Artillery''. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. {{ISBN|1-58663-299-X}} Pg.166
[[Category:60 mm artillery]]
[[Category:60mm mortars]]
[[Category:Vehicle weapons]]
[[Category:Cold War artillery of France]]
[[Category:Mortars of France]]
[[Category:Gun-mortars]]