What is the preferred tolerance for a mortar to be considered laid?

In mortar operations, achieving an accurate fire solution is crucial for the effectiveness of the weapon. The term "laid" refers to how precisely the mortar has been aimed at a designated target. The preferred tolerance for a mortar to be considered laid is zero mils. This means that the mortar must be aimed exactly at the calculated azimuth and elevation with no allowable deviation.

Having no tolerance ensures the highest accuracy, essential for the success of missions where precision is necessary, such as indirect fire support in combat situations. Any deviation from the intended aiming point could result in overshooting or undershooting the intended target, potentially endangering friendly forces or missing the target entirely. It emphasizes the importance of precision in the mortar's setup and the operator's skill in aligning the weapon to the desired firing solution.