 Development of a nuclear warhead for the M-240 was technologically limited for a period of time by the small bore of the weapon; miniaturization had only recently allowed for the reduction of the diameter of a nuclear device to a sufficiently small size so as to be used in a field artillery system.To date, the range of these nuclear projectiles has not been published, but the greater weight of such a warhead compared to the conventional mortar rounds compels experts to speculate on a lower range for such a projectile, and thus the questionable, tactical utility of the system.One of the arguments for a nuclear mortar is the fact that the nuclear device would be more reliable, since the acceleration and forces experienced by a mortar round are substantially less than that endured by a howitzer-launched projectile.