Does anyone have any info about the smoke grenades on US AFV's? I've seen the black capped ones and the light green ones. Any difference besides the green ones looking longer?

What diameter plastic rod would work to duplicate these?

TIA
ch

The black cap that you are referring to is a rubber cover that keeps rain and debris out when they are not in use. The light green is the actual smoke charge. 0.040 rod works well for the green smoke grenade added to a smoke launcher. It should stick out of the launcher about 1/16 of an inch.

Are the same grenades used by the Army and Marines? I know they use different launchers.

Yes, same grenades, 40mm smoke, for both type launchers.

While I have seen pictures of them, many combat shots, why is it that most of the pictures that I have seen show the launchers empty or covered? Do tankers not like having them loaded? I'd hate to have to get out and load them when I needed them the most.

Jeff

We don't usually use them in training. They are usually only used in combat. Not sure why, I believe it is a safety issue in training. I don't think they are clear to fire over troops in training, therefore we don't use them for training.

Gino,

I believe that grenades launched from vehicles (M239, M243, M250, M257, M259 and similar launchers) are 66mm caliber, not 40mm.

Pawel

I stand correted, they are 66mm, not 40mm.

US military installations each have their own regulations regarding the use of smoke. At Fort Carson, smoke generators may not be used within 1000m of the range boundary. Its use requires the presence of at least an E7 RSO who is also NBC qualified. The use of smoke grenades is limited to within 300m of the boundary. In either case, smoke watchers must be posted to insure no smoke leaves the boundary into civilian areas. If that occurs, the state of Colorado may impose severe penalties. Given the irregularities of the boundaries, you either have to have absolute situational awareness at all times, or decide how important the use of smoke is to the training.

I understand the issue in training and in 'peacetime', so I guess I should have been clearer. However, the pictures showing a lack of loaded dischargers I was referring to was all in a combat zone though not necessarily in combat.

Jeff