FAS | Military | DOD 101 | Systems | Land Warfare | Grenades ||||
Index | Search | Join FAS


M18 Colored Smoke grenade

This grenade is used as a ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling device, a target or landing zone marking device, or a screening device for unit movements.

(1) Body -- sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited.

(2) Filler -- 11.5 ounces of colored smoke mixture (red, green, yellow, and violet).

(3) Fuze -- M201A1.

(4) Weight -- 19 ounces.

(5) Safety clip -- no.

(6) Capabilities -- can be thrown 35 meters by average soldier. The grenade produces a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds.

(7) Color/markings -- olive drab body with the top indicating the smoke color.

(8) Field expedient -- When employing the M18 or AN-M8 HC hand grenade, it may be desirable to use one of these grenades without the fuze. To do this, the following procedure should be used in combat only:

  • Remove the tape from grenade bottom to expose the filler.

  • Remove the fuze by unscrewing it from the grenade.

  • Ignite starter mixture with open flame.

  • Immediately throw the grenade to avoid burn injury.
WITH BOTH THE AN-M8 AND AN-M18, THERE IS DANGER OF STARTING A FIRE IF USED IN A DRY AREA.


Sources and Resources



FAS | Military | DOD 101 | Systems | Land Warfare | Grenades ||||
Index | Search | Join FAS

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m18.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, September 12, 1998 6:35:55 AM