Description
This fixed ammunition resembles the 40mm HE-T cartridge Mk 2 and is used for target practice in 40mm gun cannons.
The projectile, filled with an inert material, simulates the high-explosive service round. The base is fitted with a tracer, and an inert or dummy point-detonating fuze forms the nose. A rotating band encircles the projectile near the base where the projectile is assembled into the cartridge case. The cartridge case is crimped to the projectile and is filled with loose propellant. The base of the case forms an extractor rim and it contains a percussion primer which consists of a perforated tube containing black powder and a percussion element.
Old color - Blue or black w/white markings.
New - Blue w/brown band and white markings.
Functioning
When the firing pin of the weapon strikes the percussion primer, the black powder in the primer tube is ignited. Sparks from the black powder ignite the propellant. The burning propellant generates rapidly expanding gases to propel the projectile through the barrel to the velocity required to reach the target. The tracer composition burns for approximately 12 seconds, providing visibility of the trajectory The inert projectile does not detonate on impact.
Hazardous Components
Cartridge case - M25, M25B1
Propelling charge - M1
Primer - M38A1, M38B2, Mk 22
Physical Data
Length, overall - 17.6 in, 447 mm
See Also
Cartridge, 40mm HE-T, SD, Mk 2
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
