Description
This armor piercing round has a high velocity projectile designed for use in 120mm tank guns against armored targets.
The complete round consists of a steel projectile and a propelling charge assembly. The projectile body is a monobloc slug with a blunt ogive and hardened face. A forged aluminum windshield is attached to the front of the solid projectile body and two separate gilding metal rotating bands are located near the base of the body. A tracer is threaded into the base. The propelling charge assembly consists of a cartridge case, propellant, and a percussion primer.
The projectile is black with white 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 ignite the tracer. The tracer provides a visible trace during the first 3 seconds of flight or a range of approximately 3,500 yards, Upon impact, the windshield spreads over the surface of the target, and the hard core projectile body penetrates the target by means of kinetic energy.
Hazardous Components
Propelling charge assembly - M46 (T38E1)
Cartridge case - M109
Propellant - M17
Primer - M67
Tracer - M5 series
Physical Data
Length, with windshield - 17.82 in, 452.6 mm
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-203, Artillery Ammunition (1967)
