Chemical Characterization of the Pyrotechnically Disseminated 66MM Red Phosphorous Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched Grenade

Abstract : The United States Marine Corps established a new program, the 66mm Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched MK1 MODO, for the redesign of the previously fielded 66mm M76 grenade. Although the M76 grenades provided effective screening in the visual and thermal IR wavebands, there were considerable safety, health, and environmental concerns associated with the manufacturing and operation of the grenades. Red Phosphorous (RP) has been widely used in many screening applications and was chosen as the replacement for the smoke payload. The smoke payload contained in the 66mm Smoke Screening IR grenade is a specific formulation that has been developed by Rheinmetall Weapons and Ammunition (Neuenburg, Germany). Before an item can be type classified, data must be collected and evaluated for the item's Health Hazard and/or Life Cycle Environmental Assessments. This is accomplished by performing chemical and environmental characterization of the disseminated smoke. Combustion products, inorganic anions, particle size, volatile organic chemicals, long-term storage and aquatic toxicology were all evaluated. The data suggests RP smoke payload from the 66mm Smoke Screening IR, Vehicle Launched MK1 MODO does not create additional risks upon dissemination.