[Gaffer]

No, the bent fins were specifically implemented because they DO interfere with the trajectory enough to whack out the 5 or more points those radars use to calculate the origin. I spent a few years working with LCMR testing systems and was on the EQ-36 (now AN/TPQ-53) source selection board. The shooters weren’t going for accuracy - just a hit and confusion, AND not wanting to be source located.

[Chainmail]

Still don't believe it. I was responsible for getting 25 LCMRs to the 1st Marine Division in Iraq in 2006 or so - and was involved in counterfire testing with the C-RAM folks out at Yuma. I am also a former Marine with 27 years of experience with artillery and a Mechanical Engineer responsible for developing an advanced mortar system. I have also experienced the indescribable fun of surviving various mortar attacks.

Bending fins would only affect muzzle velocity from the mortar and likely induce wobble in the trajectory - and lots of uncertainty to the eventual impact position - but that trajectory would still be parabolic and therefore, discernable to radars.

The Poppycock flag is on the field!