Warheads

 

 

 

M255 Flechette Warhead

Developed as an air-to-air/air-to-ground warhead with a payload of 1,179 60-grain flechettes. This warhead was type classified standard (for SOF only) and fielded in 1993. The warhead uses many standard components with the M261/M267 Warhead, such as the plastic nose cone, aluminum case, umbilical cable, and the M439 RS Fuze. The M255A1 is intended to be used against light material and personnel targets. At expulsion the flechettes separate and form a disk like mass which breaks up with each flechette assuming an independant trajectory, forming a repeatable dispersion pattern. The flechette uses kinetic energy derived from the velocity of the rocket to produce the desired impact and penetration effect on the target.

M264 RP Smoke Warhead

Used as a red phosphorus (RP) filled smoke rocket propelled by the MK66 motor and functions at a remote settable range from 1000 to 6000 meters. Upon functioning, the M439 Fuze ignites the expulsion mix, which simultaneously ignites and ejects the 5 pound RP payload through the shear-pinned nose cone. The burning RP drops to the ground producing a voluminous cloud of white smoke. Fourteen M264 rockets will screen a 300-400 meter front with a 5-10 knot wind from the unaided eye for a minimum of 5 minutes. The RP pellet stack assembly consists of 72 RP pellets arranged in 18 rows of 4 each and are separated by felt pieces impregnated with a phosphine gas absorbent mixture, manganese dioxide/cuprous oxide.

The M267 Practice Round

A physical and ballistic match and is identical in operation to the M261 MPSM HE Warhead except that three M75 Practice SMs, with a flash powder smoke signature and six inert SM load simulators, take the place of the nine M73 SMs in the M261 Warhead. The M67 uses the M439 RS Fuze. Each practice submunition contains approximately 1 ounce of pyrotechnic powder. An M231 fuze with an M55 detonator is used with practice submunitions.