Name one key factor that affects the trajectory of a mortar shell.

Wind speed and direction significantly affect the trajectory of a mortar shell due to their impact on the shell's flight path. As a mortar shell is fired, it travels through the air where it encounters varying wind conditions. If the wind is strong or coming from a particular direction, it can alter the angle at which the shell travels, causing it to deviate from its intended target. This deviation can lead to inaccurate strikes, which is crucial for operators to understand during targeting and firing computations. Adjustments must often be made to compensate for these wind conditions to ensure that the mortar shell lands as intended.

Temperature variations, while they can affect air density and viscosity, are less immediate and impactful than wind when considering the dynamics of a shell's flight. The altitude of the firing location can influence the overall distance the shell can travel due to differences in air density, but it does not directly alter the trajectory like wind does during the flight. The size of the mortar crew, while important for efficiency and operations, does not have a direct effect on the physical trajectory of the shell itself. Understanding the influence of wind is essential for precise mortar employment.