Observation Test of External Tracer Ammunition

Abstract

As a preliminary study of the utility of one concept of 'external tracer', five types of chemically coated ball ammunition (which, when fired, left visible vapor trails to mark projectile trajectory) were compared with 7. 62mm M62 tracer, 5.56mm M196 tracer and 7.62mm ball ammunition on two measures of observation. Twenty infantrymen reported after each of 80 single rounds whether tracer was detected and which of three targets 400 meters downrange was engaged. Standard tracers (M62 and M196) were associated with substantially more accuracy in ammunition target identification than external tracers. Only when observers in daylight were located directly behind the weapon firing were they able to detect external tracer with an accuracy approaching that of standard tracer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA007155

Entities

People

  • John L. Miles Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army Materiel Command

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Ammunition
  • Ball Ammunition
  • Condensation Trails
  • Daylight
  • Detection
  • Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Malfunctions
  • Munitions
  • Observation
  • Observers
  • Ordnance Laboratories
  • Projectiles
  • Standards
  • Tracer Ammunition
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • ballistics.