MCWP 3-16.1 Artillery Operations.pdf - Marine Corps Community ...

Separate-Loading Ammunition
APPENDIX B
ARTILLERY WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS
Separate-loading ammunition is issued as four
separate components: primer, propellant, projectile,
and fuze. Components are unpacked, prepared
for firing, and loaded into the weapon in three
portions: the projectile with fuze, the propellant,
and the primer.
155 Millimeter Shell-Fuze Combinations
High Explosive Shell (M107), Point Detonating
Fuze (M557 and M739)
This bursting-type projectile is filled with trinitrotoluene
(TNT) or composition B. It produces
fragmentation and blast over a wide area on
impact. Optimum effectiveness is gained by using
the lowest charge without causing excessive
dispersion. M557 fuzes are subject to premature
detonation by heavy rain or hail. This combination
is used against standing personnel, unarmored
vehicles, and light material. It is particularly effective
in high angle fire. Effectiveness is reduced on
dug-in personnel, on uneven ground, and against
buildings or earthworks.
High Explosive Shell, Delay Fuze
This function is obtained by rotating a set screw on
the point detonating (PD) fuze to cause a .05 second
delay in detonation after impact. This shell-fuze
combination penetrates overhead cover or obtains
airburst by ricochet. The highest practical charge is
used for ricochet effect. High explosive (HE) delay
is effective against unarmored vehicles, earth and
log fortifications, some masonry and concrete
targets, personnel in light frame structures, lightly
covered emplacements, and dense woods. It is not
effective against heavy masonry or concrete.
High Explosive Shell, Proximity Fuze
(M728 and M732)
The variable time (VT) fuze has a nonadjustable,
radio-activated HOB of 7 meters above the target.
The fuze functions when it receives the reflection
of a self-transmitted radio signal. A wet or marshy
target area causes a greater reflection and increases
the HOB. The increased angle of fall results in the
fuze functioning closer to the ground. When the
target is close to friendly troops, the lowest practical
charge for a large angle of fall is used. This
shell-fuze combination is useful where an airburst
is desired without the need to adjust the HOB. It is
particularly useful when engaging targets at longrange,
at night, and for high angle fire. Light
foliage has little effect on the VT fuze, but heavy
foliage will cause it to function early.
High Explosive Shell, Mechanical Time Super
Quick Fuze (M564, M577, and M582)
This fuze contains a graduated time mechanism
set before firing to activate at a predetermined
time interval. The HOB is normally set to activate
20 meters above the target or on impact. However,
the HOB will usually require adjustment. It is
unreliable in high angle fire because of a large
probable error (PE) in HOB. The highest practical
charge is used to minimize the HOB error. M564
fuzes are subject to premature detonation by heavy
rain or hail. This shell-fuze combination is effective
against exposed personnel or personnel in
uncovered trenches or fighting positions.