The M721 is a 60mm Illuminating Mortar Cartridge. It is designed to provide illumination out to the full range of the M720 HE cartridge, for illuminating target areas to facilitate adjustment of fire. The projectile is loaded with an illuminant candle assembly and parachute assembly. The M721 contains a standard illuminant mix which provides approximately 300,000 candlepower of light. The M721 is equipped with the M776 Mechanical Time Fuze which functions at a user-specified time after launch. When the fuze functions it initiates the candle assembly and separates the front and rear projectile segments. As the parachute deploys, the candle burns, providing the required illumination over the target area. The XM767 is a material change to the M721 Illuminating cartridge. The M721 consists of the following major components:
- Projectile Body Assembly
- M204/M235 Propelling Charge
- M702 Ignition Cartridge
- M27 Fin Assembly
- M776 Mechanical Time Super Quick Fuze
- Illuminant Candle Assembly
- Parachute Assembly
Propelling
Charge ZoneMuzzle
VelocityMinimum
RangeMaximum
Range1 124 m/s 200 m 900 m 2 170 m/s 300 m 1800 m 3 210 m/s 450 m 2600 m 4 244 m/s 600 m 3200 m Maximum Rate of Fire.........30 rounds/min (2 minutes)
Contractor: Pine Bluff Arsenal
Sustained Rate of Fire..........15 rounds/min
Cartridge Weight..........1.7 kg (3.75 lb)
Height of Burst..........315 m (M721)
Burn Time..........35 sec (M721)
M721 Type Classified Standard.....................................September 1987
Procurement Type: Production
Previous Contracts: 2
Contract Type: Noncompetitive to Govt Facilities . Need Fixed price in Production
Production Qty: 26000