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81 mm illuminating bomb M2A1
Region
Israel
Category
Ammunition, Missiles and precision weapons
Armament For 81 mm medium-pressure ( M29 ) or high-pressure (M242/L16) mortars: but see text. Development By Israel Military Industries ( IMI ). Description This bomb consists of a cast-steel rear portion, tapering to a screwed spigot to which the alloy tail unit is attached. A light tubular steel parallel-sided body section is attached to the rear section by shear pins. An adaptor is screwed into the front of the tubular section; this is threaded to receive a time fuze. There are four gas check grooves formed in
the body, just above the joint with the rear section. Internally, the rear section is occupied by two parachutes, a main parachute and a small braking parachute. Above this, in the tubular section of the body is the flare canister. Above this, within the adaptor space, is a small propulsive charge. At the set time, the fuze ignites the propulsive charge, this shears the connecting pins between the two parts of the body and accelerates the front portion away from the rear. This allows the braking parachute to be deployed, pulling the ignited flare from the forward section of the shell, which now falls away. The braking action of this parachute also allows the tail unit to pass by, so that the main parachute is withdrawn from the rear section and is deployed. The flare and parachute then descend. There are two propellant options available; both use a primary cartridge and four horseshoe-shaped increments, but for medium-pressure mortars such as the M29 the charge weight is 132 g. For high-pressure mortars such as the L16 the charge weight is 147.5 g, giving an increased maximum range. Manufacturer Israel Military Industries ( IMI ).