Figure 2-35.--Activating the chemical light wand.
solution inside a nylon tube. To activate the light, flex
the nylon tube enough to break an inner glass tube, as
shown in figure 2-35, and shake the wand well. Do not
activate the light wand until you are ready to use it
Figure 2-33.--Projectile.
because once it is activated it must be used or disposed
of. Do not dispose of the chemical light wand overboard
PROJECTILE
as it may be mistaken for a man overboard exercise.
The projectile (fig. 2-33) fits into the launcher.
When the rifle grenade cartridge is fired, the projectile
WARNING
carries one end of the attached shot line to the desired
destination. The projectile also houses the chemical
If the nylon tube should puncture during
light wands for night operation.
activation, you may experience some mild
discomfort from excessive skin or eye exposure
The reusable projectile is made of butyl rubber with
to the oxalate solution. If this should happen,
a stainless steel disk assembled in the base end. The
wash the exposed areas with soap and water as
disk absorbs the impact of the propellant gases and the
soon as possible.
wadding of the rifle grenade cartridge. The hole and
groove shown in figure 2-33 support the light wand.
Since the chemical light produces no flame or heat,
Three of these supports, located 120 degrees apart, are
its stowage is not restricted to ventilated and unconfined
contained in each projectile. The loop line is used to
(topside) spaces. The active life of the chemical light is
connect the shot line to the projectile.
from 3 to 12 hours, depending on the ambient
CHEMICAL LIGHT WAND
temperature. Its shelf life is approximately 2 years
under normal conditions.
The chemical light wand (fig. 2-34) is used to
illuminate the projectile during night operations. The
light wand is installed by inserting it, tapered end first,
The canister (fig. 2-36) is made of polyethylene and
into the hole and groove of the projectile.
houses the spool of shot line. The canister is attached to
The light wand is a two-component chemical
the rifle by the clamp shown in the figure.
illuminate system consisting of a yellow-green oxalate
Figure 2-36.--Canister.
Figure 2-34.--Chemical light wand.
2-18