M252

The M252 is a British-designed 81 mm medium-weight mortar system, widely used by the United States Army and Marine Corps. It provides indirect fire support to infantry units, capable of firing high-explosive, smoke, illumination, and training rounds.

Developed in the late 1950s as a joint venture between the United Kingdom and Canada, the system was designed to replace the aging World War II-era three-inch mortar with a lighter weapon featuring superior range. It officially entered British service as the L16 in 1965, and was later adopted by the United States military in 1986 under the designation M252 to replace the heavier M29 mortar. The weapon saw extensive combat during the Falklands War with British forces, and was later heavily utilized by U.S. and coalition troops during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, the M252 remains a cornerstone of light infantry battalion fire support globally, with modernized, lightweight variants like the M252A1 ensuring its continued operational relevance.