AN M18
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2006) |
The M18 Colored Smoke Grenade is a US Army grenade 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. It is not designated the "AN-M18" but "M18." It can be seen repeatedly in the film Apocalypse Now 1979. It was discovered in Vietnam that the green smoke drove away swarming bees.
| Model 18 Colored Smoke Grenade (M18) |
|---|
| Color/Markings: Olive drab body with yellow markings, the top painted red, green, yellow, or violet to indicate the smoke color. In World War II the M18 had a light gray body with a yellow band and markings and the top in the smoke color. |
| Body: 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. |
| Fuze Assembly: M201A1 Pull-ring Igniter. A "mouse trap" type igniting fuze with a 1.2 to 2.0 second delay. Ignition ignites the filler and expels it from the grenade body. |
| Filler: 11.5 ounces of a colored smoke mixture. Comes in red, green, yellow, or violet. |
| Weight: 19 ounces. |
| Safety clip?: No. |
| Range: Can be thrown 35 meters by an average soldier. |
| Duration: The grenade produces a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds (0.85-1.5 minutes). |
Potential hazard [edit]
With both the AN-M8 and M18, there is a danger of starting a fire if it is used in a dry area. New smoke mixtures are under development that are less harmful if the smoke is inhaled.
