The Efficacy of High Explosive Mortar Rounds Against Modern Tanks

When it comes to armored vehicles like modern tanks, high explosive (HE) mortar rounds certainly pack a significant punch. However, their ability to actually destroy a tank is a topic of much debate and discussion. This article explores the limitations and potential of 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm HE mortar rounds in taking out a tank. Specifically, we will focus on whether these rounds can for sure destroy a tank, or if they are merely capable of mission/mobility kills. Additionally, we will discuss the role of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) in affecting the outcome.

Understanding High Explosive Mortar Rounds

A high explosive mortar round contains a casing, an abrasive charge, and a high explosive charge designed to create a devastating blast when detonated. The explosive charge ruptures the casing, sending fragments flying in all directions with great speed and energy. For 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortars, the size and weight of the round can vary, with 120mm rounds being considerably larger and heavier than the others. Despite their destructive potential, health and amenity areas of tanks, often referred to as the "soft spots," are more susceptible to damage from these rounds.

60mm, 81mm, and 120mm HE Mortar Rounds: The Facts

Let's take a closer look at the effects of these rounds against modern tanks. When dropped directly onto an open hatch, these HE rounds can cause severe damage to the interior components, potentially incapacitating the crew. However, the armored plating of a modern tank—a well-built fortress in many ways—is designed to protect the vital systems and the crew inside from such external threats. In most cases, a single HE round from any of these mortars will not be sufficient to penetrate the thick armor plating and destroy the tank itself.

HE Rounds and Mission/Mobility Kills

The primary goal of a high explosive round fired from a mortar is to disable a tank, which is often referred to as achieving a mission or mobility kill. This means that the tank is rendered inoperable or unable to move, and its crew is incapacitated or severely injured. In the context of 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm HE mortar rounds, the aim is usually to damage the tank's engines, communication systems, or to inflict severe wounds on the tank crew, preventing the tank from engaging in combat or escaping the conflict area. It is not uncommon for mortar rounds to be used in tandem with other combat strategies to achieve these objectives.

Triple HE Mortar Rounds: An Analysis

When discussing the destructive potential of these HE rounds, it is important to consider the concept of "triple HE" or "pattern fire," where multiple rounds are fired in quick succession. While triple fire can increase the chance of striking a vital area of the tank and potentially causing more damage, each round on its own remains limited in terms of tank penetration. For instance, even with a triple burst of 120mm mortar rounds, the sheer volume of the blast could cause severe damage to the interior, including devastating the tank's crew and causing critical engine and system failures. However, the outer armor would still remain largely intact, rendering the tank operational but in a degraded state.

IEDs and Their Role in Tank Destruction

While high explosive mortar rounds alone might not be able to destroy a tank with a single impact, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) can enhance the effectiveness of attacks. IEDs can be powerful weapons when strategically deployed. By combining the force of a mortar round with the additional explosive charge of an IED, it is possible to breach the armor of a tank and cause significant structural damage. The key here is to use the mortar round to create an indentation in the armor, followed by the use of an IED to cause a more extensive and penetrating explosion. This can lead to the destruction of internal components or, with precise targeting, even penetration of the armor, leading to the incapacitation or destruction of the tank.

Conclusion

In summary, while high explosive mortar rounds can disable tanks and cause severe damage to the crew, they are not reliable or sufficient tools to ensure tank destruction on their own. The potential for mission or mobility kills is real, but achieving absolute tank destruction requires the use of multiple rounds, careful targeting, and sometimes the complementary use of IEDs. Modern tanks are formidable and built to withstand various types of attacks, making them a challenging target even for advanced weapons.