Which weapon is a smooth bore, muzzle loaded, high angle of fire weapon that can be fired handheld or in conventional mode using either drop-fired or trigger-fired technique, consisting of four components: cannon, bipod assembly, sight unit, and base plate?

• A. M29A1 - 81mm Mortar
• B. M224 - 60mm Mortar
• C. M777 - 155mm Howitzer
• D. M252 - new system

Answer: (B)

Mortars are defined by being smooth bore, muzzle loaded, and used to deliver high-angle fire. The round is dropped into the muzzle, and the propellant in the round or a separate charge launches it upward in a steep arc. The system described—a compact, four-part setup with a cannon tube, a bipod assembly for stability, a sight unit for aiming, and a base plate for distributing the blast—fits the light infantry mortar used for portable, close-support fire. This 60-mm variant is specifically designed to be carried and operated by a small crew and can be fired from a handheld or conventional mortar position, using either the drop-fired method or a trigger-fired firing technique. The other options describe either different calibers with different weight and deployment profiles or a different class of artillery altogether, such as a larger breech-loaded howitzer, which does not match the smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, high-angle mortar described.