Description
This fixed cartridge is fired from 90mm guns and is for antipersonnel use at both close and long ranges. The cartridge is particularly effective against personnel in dense foliage.
The projectile consists of an aluminum forward body, a steel connector, and a hollow steel base. Threaded to the forward body is an aluminum fuze adapter containing four radially oriented detonators and an axially oriented flash tube, relay and detonator. The central steel flash tube connects the projectile base to the detonator in the fuze adapter. The body is loaded with flechettes and also contains a yellow dye mixture that serves as a spotting charge. A plastic bag of flake propellant is located in the hollow base. A mechanical time fuze is assembled to the fuze adapter, and a tracer is attached to the base of the projectile. The projectile is crimped to a cartridge case loosely filled with propellant and fitted with a percussion primer.
The projectile is olive drab with white markings and white diamonds.
Functioning
When the weapon is fired, the primer ignites the propellant. The burning propellant ignites the tracer and creates gases which propel the projectile from the gun tube. The fuze will arm immediately and will function according to the time setting. The fuze functions as soon as the projectile leaves the weapon if set for muzzle action. If set for range, the fuze will function 75 to 100 meters short of set range. This built-in standoff is designed to assure maximum application of the dispersion pattern to the target. Concurrently with fuze functioning, the four radially oriented detonators and the axially oriented detonator and relay in the fuze adapter are exploded. Detonation of the radially oriented detonators rips open the forward skin of the projectile ogive, permitting the flechettes in the forward section to be acted upon by centrifugal force. The axially oriented detonator and relay flash through the tube to ignite the base charge. Pressure from the burning charge forces the flechettes and spotting charge forward and out of the projectile. The combination of forward and centrifugal forces results in a conical dispersal pattern. The spotting charge marks the approximate fuze functioning point, allowing adjustment of fire for maximum effect.
Hazardous Components
Filler and weight - 4200, 8 gr, flechettes (4.5 lb, 2.05 kg)
Cartridge case - M200
Propelling charge - M6 (9 lb, 4.09 kg)
Primer - M58 percussion
Tracer - M13 red (0.13 lb, 0.06 kg)
Base charge - M9, 25 gr
Physical Data
Length, overall - 0 in, 0 mm
Width, overall - 0 in, 0 mm
See Also
Source(s)
