Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the towed artillery & mortars category.
01 / Overview
L16 81mm mortar
Category
Country
Production
1965–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS · COLD WAR
26
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the towed artillery & mortars category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Service Entry Year1965
- Combat Weight35.3 kg
- Travel Weight0.033 kg
- Crew3
- Carriage TypeSplit Trail
- In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance7MOD.7
- Calibre81 mm
- Barrel Length (calibres)15.8
- Ordnance Typemuzzle loading
- Breech TypeMuzzle-Loading
- Recoil SystemHydraulic
- Muzzle BrakeNo
- Bore EvacuatorNo
▣Performance7MOD.7
- Minimum Range0.1 km
- Maximum Range (standard)5.65 km
- Muzzle Velocity225 m/s
- Rate of Fire (burst)15
- Rate of Fire (sustained)12
- Elevation45–80 degrees
- Traverse11 degrees left and right
◇Ammunition8MOD.8
- Projectile Weight4.2 kg
- Ammunition TypesHE, Smoke, Illumination
- HE RoundYes
- Smoke RoundYes
- Illumination RoundYes
- Cluster / DPICMNo
- Precision-Guided RoundNo
- MRSI CapableNo
◆Fire Control5MOD.5
▤Mobility7MOD.7
- Self-PropelledNo
- Prime MoverFV 432, BvS 10
- Emplacement Time2
- Displacement Time2
- Shoot-and-ScootNo
- AutoloaderNo
- Protected Crew CabNo
⬢Dimensions1MOD.1
- Length1.28 m
▲Production1MOD.1
- Production Start1,965 year
◎Self-Propelled Chassis1MOD.1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1965Production started
- 1975Entered service
61
years in service
27
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
L16 81MM MORTAR · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win·17% loss
Total Conflicts
6
Victories
3
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
2011–2024Syrian Civil WarDecisive victory→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971Decisive victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries27country
06 / MASS Score
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS RANKING Towed Artillery & Mortars · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
152TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS26COLD WAR · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS51CANADA · ALL WEAPONS158PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTowed Artillery & Mortarscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
Operated, moved, or controlled by fluid pressure, typically oil, used in mechanisms like recoil systems to absorb and manage energy.
Artillery or mortar system where propellant and projectile are loaded through the muzzle (open end) of the barrel, requiring manual ramming before firing.
Smoke grenades are pyrotechnic devices deployed by infantry fighting vehicles to create a visual screen, obscuring movement or positions from enemy observation or targeting.
A towed artillery carriage configuration where the gun is transported with its two wheels separated, allowing for easier deployment and lower profile when in firing position.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources