Munitions

60 mm M08 illuminating shell

Also known as
  • 60 mm, M08
  • 60 mm M08
  • M08 illuminating mortar shell
  • 60 mm M08 illuminating mortar shell

The 60 mm M08 illuminating shell is a Serbian/Yugoimport 60 mm mortar illumination round for the M57 light mortar. Yugoimport's sheet describes a TP M67 time-fuzed, parachute-retarded candle round with 180,000 cd output for 35 seconds, a 2.5 m/s descent rate, and a 400-2,450 m firing envelope from the 720 mm-barrel M57.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Serbia
Type
60 mm illuminating mortar shell
Service note
Contemporary export munition

Specifications

Caliber
60 mm
Length with fuze
330 mm
Mass with fuze
1,270 g
Illuminating candle mass
200 g
Fuze
TP M67 pyrotechnical time fuze
Illuminating power
180,000 cd for 35 s
Parachute descent rate
2.5 m/s
Propellant configuration
Ignition cartridge and four increment charges (0+4)
Compatible mortar
60 mm Mortar M57 with 720 mm barrel length
Firing range from M57
400 m minimum / 2,450 m maximum
Maximum mean operating pressure
414 bars
Operating temperature range
-30 degrees C to 50 degrees C
Illumination And Firing Profile

The M08 is built around timed light output rather than blast effect. Yugoimport's sheet describes a TP M67 time-fuzed shell that releases a parachute-retarded illuminating candle and provides a compact M57 firing table for the 720 mm barrel configuration.

FeatureDocumented valueReader context
Light output180,000 cd for 35 sDefines the short visible-light window the shell provides over the target area.
Descent profile2.5 m/s parachute descent with the candleShows that the round is intended to keep the light source airborne while descending.
Charge arrangementIgnition cartridge plus four increment charges (0+4)Explains why the firing table lists minimum and maximum ranges by charge state.
M57 firing envelope400 m minimum / 2,450 m maximum from the 720 mm barrelPlaces the shell in the short-range light mortar role rather than heavier 81 mm or 120 mm illumination classes.
Firing Weapon

Yugoimport's M08 sheet publishes firing data for the shell from the 60 mm M57 mortar.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
60 mm M57 mortar, 60 mm light infantry mortar, Artillery60 mm M57 mortar60 mm light infantry mortar

The sheet gives ballistic data for firing the M08 shell from the 60 mm Mortar M57 with a 720 mm barrel, including a 400-2,450 m range envelope.

Sources: 60 mm, M08 - Yugoimport

Media

60 mm M08 illuminating shell Images

Related Weapon Systems
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Sources