CARTRIDGE, 105mm, SMOKE, HC & COLORED, M84 SERIES

CARTRIDGE, 105mm, SMOKE, HC & COLORED,
M84 SERIES
Description. The projectile body consists of a hollow steel forging with a boattail base, a streamlined
ogive gilding metal rotating band, and base plug. A black powder expelling charge is assembled into the
projectile at the nose end. Next, a steel baffle (pusher) plate, with a central hole, is assembled behind the
expelling charge followed by three smoke canisters, alternating spacers, fillers, and the base plug. The
spacers are assembled between canisters, as well as at the base, to insure a tight canister pack. An MTSQ
or MT fuze is assembled to the nose of the projectile. The canisters are metal cylinders with a central
igniter core. Around the igniter core is a first-fire mix which serves to initiate the smoke mix. The smoke
mix surrounds the first-fire mix and when initiated, generates a white (HC) or, in the cases of the M84 and
M84B1, HC or other colored smoke. The cartridge case contains a percussion primer assembly and even
individually bagged and numbered propelling charge increments. 'the base of the cartridge case is chilled
and the primmer assembly is press fitted in the base. The percussion primer assembly consists of a
percussion ignition element ad a perforated flash tube containing black powder. The seven numbered
increment bags are tied together, in numerical order, with acrylic cord. These are assembled into the
cartridge case, around the primer flash tube, with Increment I at the base of the cartridge case and
Increment 7 toward the mouth of the cartridge case.
Functioning. The projectile functions above ground at a predetermined height based upon time of flight.
The fuze initiates the black powder in the expelling charge which flashes through the center hole of the
baffle plate initiating the first-fire mix in the canisters. The burning black powder generates gas pressure
against the baffle plate which, through the canisters, causes the base plate and canisters to leave the
projectile. The first-fire mix initiates the smoke charge. The canisters burn for 40 to 90 seconds.
Length
30.49 inches
Diameter
105mm (4.13 inches)
Weight
41.96 pounds
Filler
12.3 pounds
Expelling charge
0.14 pounds Black Powder
Propelling Charge
M67, 2.83 pounds
Fuze MTSQ - M501, M501A1, M577, M548;
MT - M565; ET - M762
Mulvaney’s Ordnance Technical Information System (MOTIS)
Ordnance Techncial Data Sheet
www.uxoinfo.com

Reference: TM 43-0001-28, Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Artillery Ammunition, April 1994
Mulvaney’s Ordnance Technical Information System (MOTIS)
Ordnance Techncial Data Sheet
www.uxoinfo.com