Description
This cartridge is designed for use against armored targets, light materiel, and personnel.
The cartridge carries a payload of 6.6 pounds of Composition A3, a high explosive plastic composition. The projectile is a thin-walled cylinder with a relatively short ogive and a flat base. The base of the projectile is fitted with a base-detonating (BD) fuze and a tracer. The projectile is assembled to a brass (or steel) cartridge case fitted with an electric primer and containing a bagged propelling charge.
The projectile is painted olive drab with yellow markings and a black band.
The M393A1 differs from the M393A2 in that the M393A1 employs the BD fuze M534 while the M392A2 employs the BD fuze M578. The filler weight on the M393A1 is 0.3 pounds less.
Functioning
When the weapon is fired, the electrically initiated primer ignites the propelling charge. The burning propellant ignites the tracer and creates gases which force the projectile out of the gun tube and propels it to the target. Upon impact, the fuze functions initiating the explosive filler.
Hazardous Components
Filler - Composition A3 (M393A1 - 6.3 lb, 2.86 kg) (M393A2 - 6.6 lb, 3 kg)
Cartridge case - M150B1 (steel); M150 (brass)
Propellant - M1 (5.9 lb, 2.68 kg)
Primer (electric) - M86
Tracer - M12
Physical Data
Length, overall - 37 in, 939.8 mm
Length, projectile - 18.83 in, 478.3 mm
See Also
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
