CARTRIDGE, 81mm, HE, M43A1 AND M43A1B} USE: This cartridge is used against personnel and light material, providing both fragmentation and blast effect. DESCRIPTION: | The complete round consists ofa projectile body, a PD fuze, «fin assembly, a propellant charge, and an ignition cartridge with a percussion primer. The projectile body is of forged steel, and is threaded internally at the nose to accept the fuze and at the base to accept the fin sssembly. The projectile body is filled with Composition B high explosive. The M31 and the M43A1BI differ only in some minor metal parts. FUNCTIONING: — when the cartridge is loaded, it slides down the ‘morta tube uatil the percussion primer in the ignition cartridge strikes the firing pin in the base cup of the mortar. The primer ignites the ignition cartridge, and the cartridge ignites the propellant charge. Rapidly expanding gases from the ‘bumsing Fropeltent expel the projectile from the tube and propels it to the target. The projectite is fin-stabilized in flight. Tke PD fuze functions on impact, detonating the fie booster charge and in tur, the high explosive charge. The ‘bursting charye shatters the projectile body, producing near optimum fragmentation and blast effect atthe target. WEIGHT: 15 Ibs LENGTH: (3.32 ins BODY MATERIAL: Forged Steel COLOR: Olive Drab wlyellow markings KILLER AND WEIGHT: Comp B, 1.29 Ibs IGNITION CARTRIDGE: M8 or M6 PROPELLANT CHARGE: MiAl PERCUSSION PRIMER: M34 FIN ASSEMBLY: M3 FUZE: -- PD, M525 series; PD, M717CARTRIDGE, 8imm, TARGET PRACTICE, M43A1 USE: This cartridge is used for target practice and contains a spotting charge for observation DESCRIPTION: the complete round consists ofa projectile body, a PD fuze, a fin assembly, a propellant charge, an ignition cartridge, and a percussion primer. The projectile body is of forged steel, and is threaded internally at the nose to. accept the fuze and at the base to accept the fin assembly. The body is loaded with an- inert plaster filer to simulate the weight and ballistic characteristics of a high explosive cartridge. A pellet containing a spotting charge of black powder is loaded ina cavity just below the booster atarge ofthe fuze FUNCTIONING: when the cartridge is loaded, it slides down the mortar tube until the percussion primer inthe ignition cartridge strikes the firing pin in the base cup of the mortar. The primer detonates the ignition cartridge, the cartridge ignites the propellant charge, and gases from the propellant charge expet the projectile and propel it to the target. The projectile is fin-sabilized inflight. The PD fuze functions on impact, detonating the fuze booster charge and spotting charge. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MODELS: _ One series has a ‘modified fuze in which the tetryl booster charge has been replaced with the black powder booster charge Weight 7.29 tbs Length: 13.32 ins Body Material: Forged Steet Filler and Weight inert, 1.29 bs Spotting Charge: BP, 24.8 +/- 1.5 grams Ignition cartridge: M8 Propellant Charge: MIAL Percussion Primer M34 Fin Assembly: M3 Fuze: PD, MS2A1B; PD, MS25At Color: (Old - Blue or Black w/white markings; New - Blue wiwhite markingsCARTRIDGE, 81mm, TRAIN M68 USE: This cartridge is used for training in the loading and firing of the 81mm mortar. DESCRIPTION: Unlike other mortar ammunition, the components of this round are issued separately to facilitate replacement of damaged, worn, or expended parts. The complete round consists of an inert projectile, 9 fin assembly, an an ignition cartridge. The pear-shaped, cast iron projectile has no provision for a fuze and is internally threaded at the base to accept the fin assembly. FUNCTIONIN ‘When the cartridge is loaded, it slides down the mortar tube until the percussion primer in the ignition cartridge strikes te fring pin in the base cup of the mortar. The primer ignites the ignition cartridge. Since this round i fired only at Charge 0, the gases frorn the ignition cartridge expel te projectile from the mortar tube and propel it othe target. The projectile is fin-tabilized inflight. Since the projectile is inet, there is mo detonation upon impact, and the eatidge may be recovered or reuse Weight, assembled: 10.79 lbs Length, assembled: 11.08 ins, Body Material Cast Iron Color: Black w/white markings (later manufacture - No paint or Bronze body) Filler and Weight: Inert Ignition cartridge: M6 or M3 Propellant Charge: None Percussion Primer M34 Fin Assemoly: Me Fuze! None Ballistics: Charge: 0, This round is to be fired at Charge 0 only. Muzzle Velocity VB fps Maximum Range: 284m