They can be used in a range of mortar weapon systems and deliver consistent high performance. Our variants include:
High explosive L41A4
The High Explosive 81mm mortar bomb L41 series is fitted with the Mk4 Charge System and employ a spheroidal cast iron bomb body, which combined with a high energy explosive filling, provides optimised fragmentation.
The bomb is approved for use with both proximity and point detonating fuzes.
- Range - 5,375m (when fired from either a ground or vehicle mount)
Red phosphorus smoke RO 04-04A1
The red phosphorus smoke varient gives longer lasting and more effective smoke production with lower toxicity that white phosphorus.
It uses 36 pellets that disperse and sit above ground giving a smokescreen over a wider area.
This variant is in service with Armed Forces around the world.
- Effective smoke area - 120 secs
- Range - 5,375m
Illuminating L54A1
The wide arc of light provided by the illuminating L54A1 variant gives troops optimum time to spot hostile forces.
It is based on an air burst, split body design is in service with armed forces throughout the world.
- Burn time - 30 secs
- Range - 4,950m
- Intensity - 1 million candela
Infrared illuminating L58A1
This varient offers troops the ability to see the battlespace clearly illuminated through night vision equipment without giving away position to the enemy.
It was created in response to an operational requirements identified by serving forces and continues to be in service with the British Army.
- Burn time - 120 secs
- Range - 4,950m
The future of 81mm mortar bombs
Our dedicated engineering team is developing several improvements to our mortar bombs to increase effectiveness and operational safety for users. These include:
Insensitive Munitions (IM)
By using IM, troops using mortar bombs will be subject to a much lower risk of enemy fire triggering an explosive chain reaction in mortar bomb stockpiles.
Precision guidance
We have a fully development mortar guidance system which uses GPS and fins built into the fuze to provide two-dimensional course correction.
Preformed fragmentation
We are testing preformed fragmentation in mortar bombs, creating the potential to increase the area effect and offesenive capability of the bomb.
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BAE Systems named 'Manufacturer of the Year'
Employees at our site in Glascoed, Monmouthshire are celebrating after the Company was announced as ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Made in Wales Awards. -
BAE Systems awarded £2.4 billion munitions contract to equip UK Armed Forces
BAE Systems has been awarded a new 15-year contract for the supply of munitions to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The contract, worth £2.4bn, will sustain approximately 4,000 jobs across the UK. -
New mixing technology achieves more explosive power
Our engineers have achieved a 20 percent increase in munition explosive power by mixing current polymer bonded explosives using Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM) technology. -
We have made a donation to help protect the UK's only World War One battlefield
Our Land UK business in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has donated £1,000 to the Heugh Battery Museum in Hartlepool, the only World War One battlefield site in the UK. -
Innovative team approach to new army vehicle support contract
A BAE Systems-led team, including Hobson Industries and Penman MW Engineering, has won a significant contract to provide Post Design Services (PDS) for the British Army’s Pinzgauer, Land Rover and Light Trailer fleets, which could be worth up to £12m. -
Unmanned tank of the future will be at centre of autonomous combat fleet
We have revealed a future concept of the tank of the future as an autonomous combat vehicle supported by fleets of smaller autonomous air and ground vehicles, working together in the most demanding combat environments. -
Our engineers develop Bluetooth-enabled sensors to detect health of military bridging systems
Engineers based at our site in Telford, Shropshire are testing an integrated Bluetooth and sensing technology which reports the remaining service-life of military bridging systems. -
Our apprentices and graduates build outdoor sensory play area
Sunderland-based charity Grace House – which provides respite care for children with life-limiting disabilities in the North East – now has a new outdoor sensory play area with disabled access, thanks to volunteers from our business. -
BAE Systems raises over £5,000 for Help for Heroes
Nearly 100 employees from BAE Systems took part in a 25 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks event to raise money for Help for Heroes, the charity that supports those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces, and their families.
