Figure 14-9.--Ammunition color codes.
propelled only by an ignition cartridge up to a range of
HIGH EXPLOSIVE (HE) AMMUNITION
275 meters.
High-explosive ammunition is used to destroy or
cause casualties to enemy personnel, emplacements,
IDENTIFICATION OF AMMUNITION
and vehicles. High-explosive ammunition causes
damage by blast, fire, and fragmentation of the metal
All mortar rounds are painted to prevent rust and to
body.
provide an easy means of identification. The color of the
body identifies the classification of the round according
SMOKE, WHITE PHOSPHORUS (WP)
to tactical use. The information stenciled on the round
AMMUNITION
provides detailed information concerning that particular
round.
White phosphorus ammunition is used for smoke
Color codes of ammunition have been modified by
screening, casualty-producing, incendiary (burning)
NATO agreement. Until ammunition manufactured
action, and signaling. The WP rounds cause material
before this agreement has been expended, the user must
damage by fire when the white phosphorus burns.
know both codes. The old and new codes are shown in
figure 14-9. Along with color codes, each round has the
ILLUMINATING AMMUNITION
following information (fig. 14-10) stenciled on its body:
1. Caliber of mortar in which the round is to be
Illuminating ammunition contains a flare attached
fired (60 mm).
to a parachute and is used for battlefield illumination and
2. Type of filler (TNT, Comp B, Smoke WP, Illum).
signaling.
TRAINING PRACTICE (TP) AMMUNITION
This type of ammunition is used for target practice
firing. The training practice (TP) round is used for
training mortar crews in the handling and firing of live
ammunition. This round is similar to the high-explosive
round, but it does not have a high-explosive filler in the
body. It has only a small spotting charge to mark the
point where the round hits the ground.
TRAINING AMMUNITION
The training round is provided for training mortar
crews in loading and firing the mortar. This round is
completely inert and has no fuze. The propelling charge
for the training round cannot be varied. This round is
Figure 14-10.--Markings on rounds.
fired on training ranges at reduced distances. It is
14-5
