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60 mm illuminating bomb M721/M767
Region
United States
Category
Ammunition, Missiles and precision weapons
Armament 60 mm M224 mortar and similar weapons. Development By US Army Ordnance. The illumination canisters are made by the Crane Army Ammunition Facility and the load, assemble and pack operation is conducted at the Pine Bluff Army Ammunition Plant. The US Army's FY01 budget provided US$10.7 million for 19,000 rounds and the FY02 budget US$7.5 million for 12,000 rounds, in both cases being evenly split between M721s and M767s. The M767 is about US$20 more expensive than the M721 due to the different fill.
Description The M721 and the M767 are identical except for the illuminating composition. The cartridges are ballistically similar to the M720A1 HE round, allowing a mortar to illuminate and fire on a target without adjustments. The steel bomb is equipped with a mechanical time super-quick fuze with an expulsion charge, a parachute/candle assembly, a four increment propelling charge and an ignition cartridge. The M721 provides visible light at approximately 400,000 cd for some 40 seconds. The M767 illuminates in the IR portion of the spectrum to enhance the effectiveness of night vision devices. When the fuze functions, the expulsion charge ignites and ejects the candle assembly. A spring ejects the parachute from the tail cone, which slows the descent of the burning candle. Manufacturer US government contractors.