Figure 2-8. M55, 115MM Gas Rocket.

TM 9-1300-275/3

2-2.1.2 Shipping Configuration. The rocket (fig.

rocket motor, and folding fins. Near the aft end

2-3) is packaged in a shipping-and-firing con-

of the warhead are three green bands to identify

tainer that serves as the launching tube. The

the type of filler, and one yellow band to indicate

rocket is never shipped removed from the ship

the high explosive in the burster. Immediately

ping-and-firing container. Two decals are affixed

aft of the color bands is a decal identification

to this container. One decal bears the nomencla-

label that lists the nomenclature, filler, lot num-

ture, date, and lot number; the other has three

ber, and filling date.

Figure 2-8. M55, 115MM Gas Rocket.

burster.

green bands to indicate a nerve-agent filling and

a yellow band to show the high-explosive content.

2-2.3 Principles of Operation.

The complete round consists of a point-detonating

Figure 2-10 is a cutaway view of an unarmed

fuze, warhead, rocket motor, and fin assembly.

M417 point-detonating fuze. With the fuse in-

2-2.1.3 Weights. Approximate weights of the

stalled in the rocket, the fuze rotor is locked in

various M55 rocket components (fig. 2-9) are:

unarmed position. Rocket fuzes arm from forces

fuze, 0.5 pound ; rocket motor, 35.0 pounds; war-

developed during firing. When the fuze functions,

head (fuzed), 21.2 pounds of GB filler, or 20.2

the burster shatters the rocket, dispersing the

pounds of VX filler. The complete rocket weighs

chemical-agent filler.

56.2 pounds with GB and 55.2 pounds with VX.

2-2.4 Safety Precautions.

Container and rocket together weigh about 74

2-2.4.1 Do not permit radio transmitters to

pounds.

operate near these munitions.

2-2.2 Hazards.

2-2.4.2 Determine whether igniter cables are

Handling of the M55 rocket includes such haz-

shorted. If not, maintain full electrostatic pre-

ards as explosive fuze, rocket motor, rocket motor

cautions before reconnecting these wires.

igniters, warhead filler agent, and warhead

2-2.4.3 Since this ammunition contains high-