TM-9-2350-311-10

TM9-2350-311-10

Section Ill.

MAINTENANCE

5-11 AMMUNITION CARE AND HANDLING

a. Handling

●

Keep fire and flammable materials out of the ammunition areas. DO NOT SMOKE in the

vicinity of ammunition. Serious injury or death may occur.

• Shield all ammunition from high temperatures (e.g., direct rays of the sun). When outside

temperature is expected to reach 100° F (38° C), failure to shade could result in damage to

materiel and the loss of life.

Do not expose ammunition and components containing explosives to extreme temperatures. Do not

expose to direct sunlight, flame, or other sources of heat.

Do not expose unpacked propelling charges and fuzes to rain, excessive humidity, or ground moisture.

Prevent rough handling of projectiles and fuzes. Do not strike projectiles together and do not offload

ammunition by dropping projectile on top of projectile.

Protect fuzes, primers, and flash reducers at all times from foreign matter and impact. A drop of 4 feet

(1.20 m) may cause the electrolyte vial in a VT fuze battery to break, thus causing a dud.

Do not disassemble fuzes.

b. Care

Ammunition is packed to withstand conditions ordinarily encountered in the field. Keep packing boxes

from becoming broken or damaged.

2 Since ammunition is impaired by moisture, frost, extreme temperatures, and foreign matter (mud, oil,

etc.), observe the following.

(a) Do not break the moisture-resistant seal on the container until ammunition is to be used.

(b) Shield all ammunition from high temperatures (e.g., the direct rays of the sun). When covering

projectiles to provide this shield, cover with tarpaulin keeping 18 inches (45.7 cm) air space over

and 6 inches (15.2 cm) of air space on sides, This will ensure free air flow necessary to keep the

projectiles cooler in hot weather.

5-71

TM-9-2350-311-10 - Page 607 of 775