Description
The projectile of this cartridge contains a smoke mixture which, when ignited and ejected, serves as a signal, a screen, or to spot a target.
The projectile body consists of a hollow steel forging with a boattail base, a streamlined ogive, gilding metal rotating band, and base plug. A black powder expelling charge is assembled into the projectile at the nose end. Next, a steel baffle (pusher) plate, with a central hole, is assembled behind the expelling charge followed by three smoke canisters, alternating spacers, fillers, and the base plug. The spacers are assembled between canisters, as well as at the base, to insure a tight canister pack. An MTSQ or MT fuze is assembled to the nose of the projectile. The canisters are metal cylinders with a central igniter core. Around the igniter core is a first-fire mix which serves to initiate the smoke mix. The smoke mix surrounds the first-fire mix and when initiated, generates a white (HC) or, in the cases of the M84 and M84B1, HC or other colored smoke. The cartridge case contains a percussion primer assembly and seven individually bagged and numbered propelling charge increments. The base of the cartridge case is drilled and the primer assembly is press fitted in the base. The percussion primer assembly consists of a percussion ignition element and a perforated flash tube containing black powder. The seven numbered increment bags are tied together, in numerical order, with acrylic cord. These are assembled into the cartridge case, around the primer flash tube, with Increment 1 at the base of the cartridge case and Increment 7 toward the mouth of the cartridge case.
The projectile is light green with black markings.
Functioning
The projectile functions above ground at a predetermined height based upon time of flight. The fuze initiates the black powder in the expelling charge which flashes through the center hole of the baffle plate initiating the first-fire mix in the canisters. The burning black powder generates gas pressure against the baffle plate which, through the canisters, causes the base plate and canisters to leave the projectile. The first fire mix initiates the smoke charge. The canisters burn for 40 to 90 seconds.
Hazardous Components
Filler - HC (12.3 lb, 5.6 kg)
Expelling charge - Black powder
Propelling charge - M67 (2.83 lb, 1.29 kg)
Physical Data
Length, overall - 30.49 in, 774.4 mm
Length, overall without fuze - 26.7 in, 678.2 mm
Length, projectile without fuze - 15.1 in, 383.5 mm
See Also
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide (1944)
