Description
This separated round is used in 120mm tank gun Cannon M58 for fragmentation, blast, or mining effect.
The complete round consists of a projectile, a propelling charge assembly, and a point detonating (PD) fuze. The exterior of the projectile body has two gilding metal rotating bands and a boss on the base. A tracer is screwed into the boss. The propelling charge is contained in a brass cartridge case. The propellant is in a silk bag, held in place in the cartridge case by distance wadding. The cartridge case is closed with a closing plug.
The projectile is olive drab with yellow markings.
Functioning
When the primer is struck by the firing pin of the weapon, the resulting flash ignites the propelling charge. The burning propelling charge generates gases that drive the projectile from the gun bore and ignites the tracer. The burning tracer provides a visible red trace for approximately 3 seconds. Upon impact, the fuze functions to detonate the Composition B explosive causing blast and fragmentation of the projectile at the target.
Hazardous Components
Filler - Composition B (7.84 lb, 3.56 kg)
Cartridge case - M109 (T25)
Propelling charge assembly - M45 (T21E1)
Propellant - M31
Primer - M67, percussion electric
Tracer - M5 series
Physical Data
Length, overall - 24.02 in, 610.1 mm
See Also
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
