Description
The M968 cartridge and the M63 igniter are assembled to the cartridge adapter component of the weapon system. The M968 cartridge is a target practice round for use in the 35mm TPGID system, which is mounted inside the 120mm smooth bore M256 cannon. It is designed to simulate the flight characteristics of the M830 and M831 rounds out to 1,800 meters.
The projectile consists of a DM1071 projectile jacket, a DM220 dummy point detonating fuze, a tracer, and a press seated steel rotating band. The projectile is crimped to a DM1001 steel cartridge case, which holds approximately 0.69 pound (0.31 kg) of B3620 single-base propellant and is fitted with a DM144 percussion primer.
Functioning
The TPGID cartridge adaptor is loaded into the 120mm smooth bore cannon in the normal manner. Upon initiation of the M63 ignitor in the weapon, gases from the ignitor force the piston/firing pin mechanism to strike the percussion primer of the M968. Functioning of the percussion primer initiates the B3620 propellant; the resulting gases drive the projectile from the gun and ignite the tracer. The projectile is spin stabilized during its flight to target.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Source(s)
TM 43-0001-28, Artillery Ammunition (chg 11, 2003)
