TM 9-1330-200-12/TM-1330-12/1A
1-6. Grenade, Launcher, Smoke: Screening,
with the M250 and similar grenade launchers. Each grenade
RP, UK L8A1, L8A3
is 2.59 inches in diameter, 9.3 inches long, and weighs
approximately 4 pounds.
a. General. Provides a self-screening smoke capability
for armored tactical vehicles.
c. Functioning. The M76 grenade is propelled from the
launching device (discharger) when electric current at the fir-
(1) Screen vehicles from enemy direct fire weapons
ing contact activates the electrical match. The electrical
when immediate counter-engagement cannot be accom-
match ignites the propellant which launches the grenade and
plished.
causes the setback lock to displace aft, out-of-engagement
(2) Conceal vehicles caught out in the open which
with safe and arm slider. When the slider/bore rider clears the
cannot rapidly find a defilade position.
launch tube, it moves into the armed position which aligns the
explosive lead with the delay detonator and the booster lead.
(3)
Screen vehicles caught in the open during retro-
When the grenade reaches the desired range, the delay deto-
grade.
nator ignites the explosive train which detonates the central
burster. The IR composition is scattered which creates the
(4)
Extricate the crew from a disabled vehicle.
brown obscuring cloud.
b. Description. The L8A1 grenade (fig. 1-5) and the
1-6.2. Grenade, Launcher, Smoke: Simulant
L8A3 grenade (fig. 1-5a) are used with M239 and similar gre-
Screening, M82
nade launchers. The grenades are filled with a red phospho-
rus/butyl rubber mix. Each grenade is approximately 2-5/8
inches in diameter, 7-9/32 inches long, and weighs approxi-
a. General. Provides a self-screening training capability
mately 1-1/2 pounds.
for armored tactical vehicles.
c. Functioning. The L8A1 and L8A3 grenades are pro-
(1) Screen vehicles from enemy direct fire weapons
pelled from the launching device when electrical current at
when immediate counter-engagement cannot be accom-
the firing clip activates the electrical squib-type fuze which
plished.
ignites the propellant charge. Pressure builds up in the metal
base, escapes through the propulsion holes, ignites the delay
(2) Conceal the vehicles caught out in the open
composition, and propels the grenade from the launching
which cannot rapidly find a defilade position.
device. During flight of the grenade, the delay composition
burns for 3/4 of a second for the L8A1 and 1 second for the
(3)
Screen vehicles caught in the open during retro-
L8A3 grenade, and ignites the burster charge. The burster
grade.
charge ignites the red phosphorus/butyl rubber smoke com-
position and ruptures the rubber grenade body. The ignited
(4)
Extricate the crew from a disabled vehicle.
smoke composition disperses to produce a white smoke cloud
within two seconds after firing at approximately 98 feet
(30m) from the launching device. When functioned, the
with M250 and similar grenade launchers. Each grenade is
L8A3 grenade generates a smoke cloud faster and more dense
2.6 inches in diameter, 9.3 inches long, and weighs approxi-
than the L8A1. The smoke cloud lasts for more than 2 min-
mately 3.1 pounds.
utes for both the L8A1 and L8A3 grenades.
c. Functioning. The M82 grenade is propelled from the
1-6.1. Grenade, Launcher, Smoke: IR Screen-
launching device (discharger) when electric current at the fir-
ing, M76
ing contact activates the electrical match. The electrical
match ignites the propellant which launches the grenade and
a. General. Provides a self-screening infrared smoke
causes the setback lock to displace aft, out-of-engagement
capability for armored tactical vehicles.
with safe and arm slider. When the slider/bore rider clears the
launch tube, it moves into the armed position which aligns the
(1) Screen vehicles from enemy direct fire weapons
explosive lead with the delay detonator and the booster lead.
when immediate counter-engagement cannot be accom-
When the grenade reaches the desired range, the delay deto-
plished.
nator ignites the explosive train which detonates the central
burster. The smoke composition is scattered which creates
(2) Conceal vehicles caught out in the open which
the white obscuring cloud. The smoke cloud lasts for approx-
cannot rapidly find a defilade position.
imately 45-60 seconds.
(3)
Screen vehicles caught in the open during retro-
grade.
(4)
Extricate crew from a disabled vehicle.