LATEST Ancient Prototypes of Proxy Warfare: The Economic and Logistical Burden of Roman and Persian Proxy Networks among Arab Tribes and Caucasian Powers
SEARCH
DB ONLINE
EN ▾
M2 4.2-inch mortar
Photo: AdAstra2009 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
REC // INTEL FEED

M24.2-inchmortar

Towed Artillery & Mortars · United States · 1943
ADD TO COMPARE

M24.2-inchmortar

M2 4.2-inch mortar
M2 4.2-inch mortar Photo: AdAstra2009 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Range
40
Firepower
50
Rate of Fire
30
Accuracy
60
Portability
50
Setup Speed
40
Ammunition Versatility
30
Reliability
80
Crew Economy
60
Cost-Effectiveness
60
Origin United States
CategoryTowed Artillery & Mortars
EraWorld War II
In service1943
Operators21 countries
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
48
Towed Artillery & Mortars MASS Rating
25/48
World War II
152/302
All-Time
Towed Artillery & Mortars · 10 axes scored
Range
40
Firepower
50
Rate of Fire
30
Accuracy
60
Portability
50
Setup Speed
40
Ammunition Versatility
30
Reliability
80
Crew Economy
60
Cost-Effectiveness
60
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the towed artillery & mortars category.
01 / Overview
M2 4.2-inch mortar
Production
1943–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS · WORLD WAR II
25
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
48
towed artillery & mortars category
ⓘ 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 Year1943
  • Combat Weight151 kg
  • Travel Weight332 kg
  • Crew5
  • Carriage TypePole Trail
  • In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance7MOD.7
▣Performance4MOD.4
  • Minimum Range0.515 km
  • Maximum Range (standard)4.4 km
  • Muzzle Velocity253 m/s
  • Rate of Fire (sustained)1
◇Ammunition8MOD.8
▤Mobility4MOD.4
⬢Dimensions1MOD.1
  • Length1.22 m
▲Production1MOD.1
  • Production Start1,943 year
◎Self-Propelled Chassis1MOD.1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1939First deployment: World War II
  2. 1943Production started
83
years in service
17
countries operating
ⓘ 4 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
M2 4.2-INCH MORTAR · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win·20% loss
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
Recoil system using a combination of liquid and compressed gas to absorb and return energy from firing.
A towed artillery carriage configuration where the gun is pulled directly behind the prime mover without a limber, relying on a single pole for connection.
A breech mechanism in artillery where a cylindrical plug with spiral threads is rotated to open or close the breech.
Smoke grenades are pyrotechnic devices deployed by infantry fighting vehicles to create a visual screen, obscuring movement or positions from enemy observation or targeting.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Towed Artillery & Mortars entry →