Description
These are small aerial-dispensed, decelerator-stabilized and decelerator-armed, impact-fired grenades.
The M230 and M231 fuzes are very similar in appearance and operation. Approximately 20.00 pounds (9.07 kilograms) of pull is required on the arming pin at RAD deployment to release the detonator slider. The M230 fuze has the booster attached to its base; while the M231 does not have a booster, it permits the detonator to flash down and ignite the flash/smoke charge. The body of the M73 grenade contains a copper shaped-charge cone. A wave shaper is located between the booster and the main charge at the top of the cone. The M75 grenade body contains a cone with a flash/smoke charge.
The grenade consists of three major components: RAD, the fuze, and the grenade body. The RAD is made from kevlar material and contains three air scoops around its periphery. The fuze is installed in the top of the grenade body and interfaces with the base of the RAD. When the fuze is armed, the end of the slider extends out of the edge of the fuze housing. The M230 fuze (used in the M73 grenade) contains five holes around the top of fuze. The M231 fuze (used in the M75 grenade) contains one hole on top of the fuze. The grenade body contains three standoff legs.
The M73 grenade is olive drab with a yellow band.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Source(s)
TM 43-0001-30, Rockets (chg 14, 2001)
