The 60mm Patmor is a lightweight, man-portable patrol mortar system, primarily associated with South African defence companies like Denel Land Systems and Truvelo. “Patmor” is a contraction of “Patrol Mortar”.
Key Features and Specifications
- Type: Muzzle-loading, smoothbore, high-angle-of-fire weapon for close-in infantry support.
- Design: It can be used in a conventional ground-role with a baseplate and bipod, or in a handheld “commando” role for rapid deployment.
- Mobility: Its lightweight design (total mass around 7.2 kg) makes it highly mobile, suitable for special forces and commando units.
- Sighting: Early models used simple, robust clamp-on sights with range/elevation engravings, while modern versions may integrate with handheld Fire Control Systems (FCS) and laser rangefinders for improved accuracy.
- Ammunition: It is designed to fire all qualified M-61 types of 60mm mortar ammunition, including high-explosive (HE), smoke (SMK), and illumination (ILL) rounds.
- Range: The maximum range is approximately 2,100 meters (about 2,300 yards), with a minimum range of around 100 meters.
- Variants: M4: pulling a lanyard releases the firing mechanism, M4 Mk 1: equipped with a fixed firing pin, M4L3: version with simplified baseplate and sight, range is shorter (1,200 m)
Usage and History
The 60mm Patmor was extensively used by the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the Border War era. Its design emphasizes simplicity, reliability, and effectiveness in various field conditions.
The weapon is still manufactured and upgraded by contemporary defence companies, providing a flexible and powerful indirect fire support solution for modern military operations.
