Description
This separated ammunition is a target practice projectile designed for training in marksmanship with 120-mm tank gun cannons.
The complete round consists of a solid projectile and a propelling charge assembly. The projectile body is a steel monobloc design with a tracer threaded into the base. A streamlined steel nose cone is fitted to the solid slug to improve the ballistic shape. Two gilding metal rotating bands encircle the projectile near the base. The propelling charge assembly is M46, consisting of a cartridge case, propellant, and percussion primer.
The projectile is blue with white markings.
Functioning
When the primer is struck by the firing pin of the weapon, the resulting flash ignites the propelling charge. The burning propellant ignites the tracer and generates rapidly expanding gases to drive the projectile through the barrel with the velocity required to reach the target. The rotating bands engage the barrel rifling to impart spin to the projectile for stability in flight. The burning tracer provides visibility of the trajectory for a minimum of three seconds. Since the projectile is inert and unfuzed, the only function at the target is the effect of impact.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
Physical Data
Length, overall - 17.82 in, 452.6 mm
Length, without windshield - 11.98 in, 304.3 mm
See Also
Propelling charge assembly - M46 (T38E1)
Cartridge case - M109
Propellant - M17
Primer - M67
Tracer - M5 series
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
