Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary mortar ammunition types listed?

• A. Armor-Piercing
• B. White Phosphorus
• C. Illumination
• D. High Explosive

Answer: (A)

Mortar rounds are grouped by the effect they produce in the target area: explosive power, marking or burning, and illumination. High Explosive delivers the broad-area blast and fragmentation you want against groups or position targets. White Phosphorus provides a burning, marking/obscuring or screening effect and can create smoke-like screens. Illumination rounds are used to light up an area at night, improving visibility for friendly forces. Armor-Piercing rounds are designed to penetrate armor and are associated with direct-fire anti-armor weapons, not with the indirect-fire role and payloads typical of mortars. Because of that mismatch, Armor-Piercing does not belong in the standard trio of mortar ammunition types.