Mortar carrier

[citation needed] The mortar carrier has its genesis in the general mechanisation and motorisation of infantry in the years leading up to World War II.

Some light armoured fighting vehicles, such the Panhard AML-60 and Ratel-60, use gun-mortars such as the Brandt Mle CM60A1 — which can be fired on a flat trajectory.

[citation needed] In addition to traditional infantry mortars, the Soviet Union introduced into service the 2B9 Vasilek, a gun-mortar capable of direct and indirect fire that was automatically fed.

The Soviet 2S9 Nona and its successor the 2S31 Vena are true self-propelled mortars, being tracked turret mounted 120 mm gun-mortars.

In U.S. Army doctrine, mortar carriers are to provide close and immediate indirect fire support for manoeuvre units while allowing for rapid displacement and quick reaction to the tactical situation.