The M766 Short Range Practice Cartridge is designed for use with the M224 60mm Mortar System and provides realistic, cost effective training. The M766 is similar to the 60mm High Explosive cartridge in exterior configuration and operation. With the use of a refurbishment kit the M766 can be fired between ten and two dozen times. It reduces the cost of training and permits training in areas with limited range space. The M766 is equipped with the M779 Practice Fuze which is a facsimile M734 Multi-Option Fuze. The cartridge, which has a maximum range of 538 meters, provides a flash, bang and smoke signature upon impact. The innovative refurbishment kit, consisting of a breech plug, ignition cartridge, fuze, obturator ring, three dud plugs and three increment plugs, saves 60mm mortar crews over $5M in training per year. The removable increment plugs, located on the shell body, simulate the propelling charges of the tactical cartridges and allow the crew to adjust the range. The dud plugs, also located on the shell body, are a safety feature indicating proper functioning of the fuze. TACOM approved the Full Materiel Release of the M766 on 22 April 1998. The release provides training ammunition to the field to offset the lack of training ammunition caused by the recent suspension of all 60mm M49 series High Explosive Mortar Ammunition. The M766 consists of the following major components:
- Projectile Body Assembly
- M986 Ignition Cartridge
- M33 Fin Assembly
- M779 Practice Fuze
Propelling
Charge ZoneMuzzle
VelocityMinimum
RangeMaximum
Range0 50 m/s 40 m 250 m 1 58 m/s 55 m 330 m 2 66 m/s 70 m 420 m 3 75 m/s 85 m 530 m Maximum Rate of Fire.........30 rounds/min (2 minutes)
Contractor: POCAL
Sustained Rate of Fire..........15 rounds/min
Cartridge Weight..........1.3 kg (2.9 lb)
Type Classified Standard..........May 1993
Procurement Type: Production
Previous Contracts: 2
Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
Production Qty: 15100
Scope: 15.1 K Cartridges and 156.1 K refurbishment kits