Smoke warheads

armored targets. These warheads contain a large number of small arrow-shaped projectiles. A small explosive charge in the base fuze of the warhead dispenses the flechettes through the nose of the warhead after rocket motor burnout. Target damage is caused by impact of the high-velocity flechettes. SMOKE WARHEADS.— Smoke warheads (fig. 2-17) are used to produce a volume of heavy smoke for target marking. The warhead contains a burster tube of explosives, usually comp-B, which bursts the walls of the warhead, dispersing the smoke. These warheads are designated SMOKE, followed by the abbreviation for the smoke producing agent it contains. For example, WP for white phosphorus, or PWP for plasticized white phosphorus. The types of smoke warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-1. FLARE WARHEADS.— Flare warheads (fig. 2-18) are used to illuminate tactical operations. They consist of a delay-action fuze, an illuminating candle, and a parachute assembly. The fuze ignites the expelling charge, which separates the case from the candle and parachute assembly. The wind stream forces the parachute open, suspending the burning candle. The only flare warhead currently in use is the Mk 33 Mod 1. PRACTICE WARHEADS.— Practice warheads are either dummy configurations or inert-loaded service warheads. In the inert-loaded service warheads, the weight and placement of the filler gives the practice warhead the same ballistic characteristics as the explosive-loaded service warhead. A steel nose plug is assembled in the practice heads in place of the nose fuze. The entire surface, except for the stenciled marking, is painted blue. The practice warheads currently in use are listed in table 2-2. Figure 2-17.—Smoke warheads. 2-12