Brazilian Army tests century-old manufacturing company's 81mm and 120mm mortars.

On December 12 and 13, 2023, the Brazilian Arsenal de Guerra do Rio (Rio Arsenal of War), also known as AGR, a military organization under the Manufacturing Directorate (DF), conducted technical shooting activities to validate production batches of mortars manufactured and revitalized within the Manufacturing Organization (OM Fabril), which has a long history.
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Testing conducted by the Brazilian Army involved a total of 19 mortars, including both 81 mm and 120 mm calibers. (Picture source: Instagram/AGR)

The validation process included various shots with different charges and angles to thoroughly test the functionality of the mortars. Pressure and muzzle velocity measurements were taken in accordance with Brazilian Army standards. Once the data is analyzed and approvals are obtained, the mortars will be ready for distribution and use by Brazilian Army troops.

During the two days, more than a hundred shots were fired to validate a total of 19 mortars. These include 15 Mrt Me Acg 81 manufactured mortars, 4 Mrt P 120 M2A1 R manufactured mortars, and 1 81mm RO revitalized mortar with the replacement of the bipod assembly.

The Rio Arsenal of War has initiated the metrological inspection of these weapons and plans to complete all production work. Deliveries are scheduled to begin on December 22, 2023.

The entire activity was conducted with the support of the Army Evaluation Center, which provided the necessary firing range, equipment, and personnel. This collaborative effort demonstrates the synergy of the Science and Technology System in delivering vital Military Employment Materials to the Army.

The Mrt Me Acg 81mm mortar has a total weight of 42.5 kg when fully assembled, a full 360-degree rotation capacity, and an elevation angle that can be adjusted from 45 to 84 degrees, allowing for a wide range of shooting distances. Depending on the type of ammunition used, it can achieve ranges between 100 m and 5,800 m, with a recommended rate of fire of 1 to 10 shots per minute, as higher rates may result in overheating and potential damage to the mortar tubes. The weapon is compatible with various NATO standard ammunition types, including high-explosive, smoke, illuminative, and exercise rounds. Examples of compatible ammunition include the Tir 81 AE M5 and Tir 81 HE M64.

The Mrt P 120 mm mortar, in its M2 Raiado variant, is a weapon system developed by the Institute of Research and Development (IPD) and manufactured by the Rio War Arsenal (AGR). It comes in two configurations: one for transport and another for firing. In the transport position, it measures 2.7 m in length, 1.9 m in height, and 2 m in width, with a ground clearance of 0.33 m. In the firing position, its length increases to 3 m, and its height decreases to 1.3 m. Its firing rate ranges from 5 to 15 rounds per minute, depending on the type of ammunition used, and it can achieve maximum ranges of 6,500 to 12,600 m.