What is the main purpose of a mortar?

The main purpose of a mortar is to launch explosive shells at high angles, which is essential for delivering indirect fire support. Mortars are versatile artillery pieces that can effectively hit targets that are not visible to the crew due to obstacles or terrain. This capability allows them to engage enemy forces positioned behind cover or in fortified positions.

The design of mortars, which typically features a relatively short barrel and the ability to fire shells at steep angles, makes them well-suited for this purpose. When fired, the mortar shell follows a high-arcing trajectory, enabling it to reach targets hidden behind hills or other obstacles. This indirect fire capability is crucial in many military operations, providing units with the ability to lay down suppressive fire or destroy key positions from a safe distance.

Other options, while related to military operations, do not accurately reflect the primary function of a mortar. For example, directly engaging enemy personnel usually involves direct fire weapons such as rifles or machine guns. Providing anti-aircraft support typically falls under the domain of dedicated air defense systems. Laying charges for demolitions is a specific task usually assigned to engineers and does not align with the mortar's principal role in artillery support.