Which of the following is NOT a common use of mortars?

Mortars are versatile artillery pieces typically employed for a variety of indirect fire missions. Among the common uses listed, illuminating enemy positions, suppressing enemy fire, and creating smoke screens are all tasks that mortars are well-suited for due to their ability to deliver rounds at high angles, effectively targeting areas that may be obscured or difficult to reach with direct fire weapons.

Illuminating enemy positions often involves using specially designed rounds that provide light over a battlefield to reveal enemy locations, making mortars an effective means of achieving this tactical objective. Suppression of enemy fire utilizes the high-arcing trajectory of mortar rounds to land in enemy positions, thereby disrupting their ability to fire effectively. Creating smoke screens is another tactical application of mortars, allowing forces to obscure visibility and provide cover for maneuvers.

In contrast, while mortars can be used in anti-tank roles, they are not typically the primary choice for this purpose. Anti-tank operations usually require precise, direct-fire weapons capable of penetrating armor, such as anti-tank guided missiles or tanks. Mortars, while capable of launching high-explosive rounds, lack the accuracy and penetration needed to effectively engage armored vehicles in a direct firefight. Therefore, the use of mortars for