PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-602
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 602
JANUARY 2003
Rockets with bent or broken fins, dented motors or launcher tubes, or broken
electrical connections are NO-GO and should be turned in.
Don’t use rockets that have been
dropped. The propellant grain may
crack if dropped, especially in cold
weather. That could result in motor
blow during rocket flight.
Solid propellant rocket motors
in guided missiles that have been
dropped more than eighteen inches
should be tagged unserviceable
and returned to the ASP. Cracked
rocket motors could rupture inside
the launcher, causing injury and
equipment damage.
Protect electrically initiated rockets and guided missiles from static electricity.
Use whatever grounding material is available.
When storing rocket motors, rockets and guided missiles, point them in a direc-
tion that will cause the least damage to personnel and equipment if they accidental-
ly fire.
After unpacking guided missiles that contain desiccant bags, immediately return
the desiccant to the container for later reuse and close the container.
Avoid sealing wet missiles in shipping and storage containers. If possible, place
the wet missiles in a sheltered area or cover, allowing them to dry inside their con-
tainers before attaching the lids. Don’t forget to add desiccant if available.
Detonators, initiators, squibs, blasting caps and other initiating devices should
always be carried in protective containers—never loosely in your pocket.
The devices should be securely packed
inside the container to prevent rolling and
jostling. Mark the container so you’ll know
what’s inside.
Some demolition materials, like sheet
explosive and C4 blocks, come with an
adhesive backing. The adhesive won’t stick
to a wet surface or if temperatures are
below freezing. You’ll need to devise a
field- expedient method to affix the demoli-
tion explosives when it’s wet or freezing.
Don’t use blasting caps that have cracks
or splits. Be sure electric blasting caps are
shunted by twisting the lead wires or have a
short circuit tab attached.
Rockets and Guided Missiles
PS 602
JAN 03
56
Mines
Demolition Material
Mines are composed of various
plastics and metals which are sus-
ceptible to damage and deterioration.
Never use or emplace mines that are
cracked or damaged.
The plastic case on M18A1
(Claymore) anti-personnel mines
(1345-K143 and K145) that were
manufactured before December
1989 may become soft and sticky.
This deterioration is caused by a
chemical reaction between the
explosive and polystyrene compo-
nent of the plastic.
As long as the explosive isn’t
exposed, the mine is OK to use.
However, you may need to cut the
mine from its cloth bandoleer. Limit
the cut to the minimum required to
extract the mine from the bandoleer.
Rockets or missiles that have been dropped
more than 18 inches are suspect—do not fire
Hey, this
Claymore
is kinda
sticky!
It's okay.
The explosive
isn't exposed.
Don't use cracked
blasting caps
PS 602
57
Good PM
will keep
your
missiles
firing!
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