Description
This projectile is for Naval use only. It is designed for use against personnel on the beach or inland, delivering a concentration of grenades at 16-inch gun range.
This projectile is of the separate loading type. The projectile is shipped to and stored at depot level with a nose protective cap installed. The projectile body is a hollow one-piece steel forging with a streamlined ogive and gilding metal rotating band. The projectile is threaded in the nose to accept an MT fuze and expulsion charge. The expulsion charge consists of 400 grams of M9 mortar propellant. The MT fuze and shims are shipped separately. A base plug is press-fitted and pinned into the rear end of the projectile body. The projectile cavity contains 400 optimum fragmentation M43 grenades, which are held in place by the base plug. The grenades are arranged in 20 layers of 20 grenades each. The grenades are seated in the cavity behind a pusher plate with a separator dividing each layer. The grenades are wedge shaped submissiles, each containing 21.2 grams of explosive Composition A5. With installation of the MT fuze, the projectile is ready to fire utilizing the standard 16 inch propelling charge loaded behind the projectile, and a suitable cannon primer in the breech block of the weapon.
The projectile is olive drab with yellow diamonds and yellow markings.
Functioning
The cannon primer is initiated, igniting the propelling charge. The expanding propellant gases propel the projectile forward. The rotating band around the projectile engages the rifling m the barrel, imparting spin and obturation to the projectile. The expanding propellant gases force the projectile through the barrel with the velocity required to reach the target area. The fuze timer is initiated when the projectile is fired. After the set time in flight, the fuze functions initiating the expelling charge. The force from the expelling charge detonation pushes the grenade load against the base plug, which shears the pins and ejects the grenades into the air stream. Centrifugal force disperses the grenades radially from the projectile line of flight. When each grenade impacts the target area, an ejection charge functions the grenade 4 to 6 feet above the impact surface. The grenade explodes in an air burst designed to inflict personnel casualties in the target area.
Hazardous Components
Filler - Grenade, GP, M43A1 (400)
Physical Data
Length, without fuze - 56.6 in, 1438 mm
See Also
Source(s)
TM 9-1385-51, Ammunition (Conventional) for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (1967)
