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Posted: 11/20/2012 2:02:25 AM EDT
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"In order to reduce weight the army is evaluating the suitability of Inconel 718, a nickel-based alloy, for mortar tubes, carbon fibre reinforced composites for baseplates and a lightweight material for a new bipod. Although Inconel 718 has never been used before to produce a gun barrel, tests to date have shown its ability to retain high strength at high temperatures. Over 1600 rounds have been fired from the Inconel 718 tubes in total and during one trial 141 rounds were fired from four tubes heated to maximum operating temperature. Programme officials state, << nothing was noted to preclude the use of Inconel 718 in future mortar designs, >>. Tests have recently begun on a 60 mm tube made from Inconel 718. The 81 mm tube is currently undergoing qualification in preparation..."
"Barrels, including Inconel 718 barrels for the M252 81 mm mortar..." Lighter Mortars http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pocket+artillery.-a0146354592 
"...designers have been exploring a new cannon tube made from a nickel super-alloy called Inconel 718." http://www.special-operations-technology.com/sotech-home/176-sotech-2008-volume-5-issue-4/1640-mortar-technology.html |
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That's an old article. There are already RFI M224A1 60mm Mortar Systems deployed in Afghanistan, iconel tube with titanium bipods and other lightened components. http://www.pica.army.mil/picatinnypublic/highlights/archive/2011/07-05-11.asp More on flowforming inconel 60mm mortar tubes: http://www.asminternational.org/emails/enews/amp_pdfs/amp16605p047.pdf A lightened 81mm M252A1 is also supposed to be in use at this time. |
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Quoted:
These guys have on K-pots how is this retro? The photos is a M224 being fired circa 2003-4 during a MEU's Kuwaiti training program, not a M224A1 (we stopped issuing tri-colors back than). But the Marine LWH looks exactly like the old PASGT other than its suspension. The A1 has a bronze look to it. |
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