[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Little David. Mortar round.

Interesting.

Shell 3,650 pounds (1,656 kg)
Caliber 36 inches (914 mm)
Barrels 1
Muzzle velocity 1250 ft/s (381 m/s)
Maximum firing range 6 miles (9.7 km)
Feed system Muzzle loading

The mortar was originally used as the launching mechanism for test-firing aerial bombs at Aberdeen Proving Ground (during the war, bombs became larger and larger, necessitating the construction of such a large calibre gun). Little David was therefore not intended as a combat weapon.

By 1944, it was expected that American forces would encounter extremely strong fortifications during the expected invasion of Japan. Studies began on using Little David as a siege mortar. The mortar was converted into a two piece mobile unit, consisting of the 80,000-pound (36,000 kg) barrel and the 93,000-pound (42,000 kg) base transported by two artillery tractors. In addition to the two main loads, the Little David unit would also include a bulldozer and crane with bucket to dig the emplacement for the mortar's base.[2]

The huge mortar could be ready to fire in 12 hours.