Mortar shells

A solution of sulfur trioxide [7446-11-9] dissolved in chlorosulfonic acid [7990-94-5] CISO H, has been used as a smoke (U.S. designation FS) but it is not a U.S. standard agent (see Chlorosulfuric acid Sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide). When FS is atomized in air, the sulfur trioxide evaporates from the small droplets and reacts with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid vapor. This vapor condenses into minute droplets that form a dense white cloud. FS produces its effect almost instantaneously upon mechanical atomization into the atmosphere, except at very low temperatures. At such temperatures, the small amount of moisture normally present in the atmosphere, requires that FS be thermally generated with the addition of steam to be effective. FS can be used as a fill for artillery and mortar shells and bombs and can be effectively dispersed from low performance aircraft spray tanks. FS is both corrosive and toxic in the presence of moisture, which imposes limitations on its storage, handling, and use. 

Granat-ton, m. garnet shade, -trichter, m. shell hole, shell crater, -werfer, m. trench mortar, -werfergeachoss, n. mortar shell, -wurzelrinde, /. pomegranate root bark. Grand, m. coarse sand or fine gravel Brewing) underback. 

According to Stettbacher (Ref 11, Vol 1) the Germans during WWI used a mixt (called Deutscher gesichiessbarer MinensprengstofF ) consisting of K perchlorate 56, DNB 32 and DNN 12%, which was cast-loaded in trench mortar shells, land mines and various bombs, while the French used Perammon (qv) for loading aerial bombs... 

Both Davis (Ref 12) and Naoum (Ref 8) affirm that the following compn was used by the French during WWI for loading S8mm trench mortar shells Amm perchlorate 74.5, paraffin 17, and A1 powder 8.5%... 

A Compn contg AN 72, K perchlorate 10, wood meal 3, and a eutectic mixt of DNT and TNT 15%, was used as a demolition charge and for loading bombs and trench mortar shells. 

Potential Changes Associated with Large Scale TNT Explosions , Rept No DRES-TN-203, DREstbmt, Suffield (Can) (1969) R) J.A. Scanlan, "TOW , MTR-No 86, 1-30, Contract DAAH01-70-C-0097, Hughes Aircraft Co, Culver City (1969) S) R.L. Jameson et al, Mortar Shell Vulnerability , Rept No BRL-MR-2029 (1970) T) G.A. Schroeder, Experimental... 

As stated, the major uses for these proplnts are for small arms ammo, mortar shells and artillery shells up to 280mm. They are also used as the propelling charge in naval guns... 

If no other sources exist, artillery and mortar shells, bombs, land mines, and other munitions may be cannibalized for the high explosives they contain. These munitions usually contain cast explosives, which require extra strong blasting caps or boosters to detonate. However, some of the simpler cannibalization techniques will be discussed. 

For a heavy ambush the frag grenades may be interspersed with the scatter charge previously described, mortar shells, or with other improvised fragmentation charges. 

Mortar shells can be fired as placed ambush charges in the same way as hand grenades. Being more powerful than grenades, they provide an even more lethal antipersonnel or antivehicular technique. 

MATERIALS String, wire or tape, mortar shell, primacord, blasting cap, plastic explosive (optional). ... 

Many types of mortar shells are packed unassembled in separate containers. In such cases one need only fill the fuse well with plastic explosive and prime it with a primacord triple roll knot. Others, including U.S. shells, are packed fully assembled. Following are the steps to be taken to prepare a fully assembled shell for use as an ambush charge ... 

Make sure the safety pin is securely in place, then unscrew the fuse assembly from the mortar shell by using one wrench on the shell body and one on the fuse—working in opposite directions. See Figure 48. 

Tie a triple roll knot in the end of primacord of whatever length is needed for- a branch line. Insert the knot into the open fuse well of the mortar shell, and pack plastic explosive around it. Fasten the explosive and knot in place with tape, wire, or string. See Figure 49. 

Any number of mortar shells may be prepared either with the plastic explosive technique or by using the booster and attached by their primacord branch lines to a main primacord line for simultaneous firing. Or they may be interspersed along a road or trail with frag grenades or other improvised charges. 

No wonder the average citizen does not fully understand chemical warfare, when even the best-informed experts do not provide us with straightforward explanations. But perhaps they should not be too harshly criticized. Descriptions of the mechanisms and sequence of nerve gas effects are complex. Efforts to provide the details may produce confusion rather than enlightenment. The deadliness of mortar shells and Kalashnikovs may be familiar, but the complex effects of chemical weapons are not. 

Type of base. When the surface (o the rear of the rotating band is tapered or conical, it is known as "boat-tailed" when cylindrical, the projectile is described as having a "square base". Nonrotating mortar shells have fins at the rear for stabilization of the projectile (Ref 32, p 125)... 

US Navy, for detonating a mortar shell during its flight toward the target, by using trailing wires and a galvanic battery)... 

S.H. Liff, "Examination and Evaluation of Shell, 60-mm Mortar, HE, Long, High Capacity, W/LG Warhead (Comm Chinese) FMAM-1883 and Fuze, PD Impact, Type ( ) for 60-mm Mortar Shell, HE, Type ( ) Long, High Capacity, W/LG Warhead, (Comm Chinese) FMAM-1883A PAMR 78 (July 1955)... 

A.J. Marhefka, "Examination and Evaluation of Fuze, PD, Impact, Model MKE 101 for Mortar Shell (Copy of French Brandt Type), with Adapter and Booster (Turkish) , PAMR 102 (March 1956) (Conf)... 

A 4.2 chemical mortar shell was also used for incendiary purposes. It contained a burster charge of Tetryl, placed in thin-walled tubing extending into a cavity in the phosphorous. The Tetryl broke the shell and simultaneously ignited and scattered the burning... 

Granular TNT is used as the bursting chge of hand grenades, mortar shells and in mines. Cast TNT is used as a bursting charge in some bombs,... 

Nonsmokeless Powder. Composition is not given. Used by the Army as a Main Charge in 20-mm Machine Gun Ammo, as an ejector chge in 70-mm Mortar Shells, Shrapnel Shells Pyrotechnics in Delays, Relays Igniters for Bomb Projectile Fuzes and as a Substitute Charge for some Bombs, Grenades and Projectiles (Ref 1, p 27 Ref 5, p 366)... 

Type 89 58-mm HE Mortar Shell was a light steel cylinder with conical nose housing a Fuze. 

Type 95 50-mm Smoke Mortar Shell was a forged steel cylinder with conical nose housing a Fuze. It contd 3.7 oz Hexachloroethane Smoke Mixture and was fired by NC-DPhA flaked proplnt.. Fired from Type 89 Grenade Discharger (pp 374—75, Fig 297)... 

Type 89 50-mm Incendiary Mortar Shell was a sheet metal cylinder with hemispherical nose. 

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