Small Arms Survey transfer data lists 45,088 M888 60 mm high-explosive cartridges with M935 fuzes in an Afghan National Army 60 mm ammunition line implemented on April 25, 2013; this documents supply to Afghan government forces rather than a named firing incident.
Role detailsMunitions
M888 60 mm high explosive cartridge
Also known as
- M888 HE
- M888 HE cartridge
- 60mm M888 HE cartridge
- Cartridge 60mm HE M888
- CTG 60mm HE M888
- CTG 60mm HE M888 with M935 fuze
- DODIC B643
The M888 is a U.S. 60 mm high-explosive mortar cartridge for the M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System. Army and environmental ordnance references identify it as DODIC B643 with an M935 point-detonating fuze, Composition B fill, 67- to 3,490-meter range, and fragmentation/blast effects against personnel and light materiel. Public conflict-specific evidence for this cartridge currently comes from Afghan National Army and Iraq Train and Equip Fund supply records, so the conflict rows document transfer and delivery context rather than confirmed battlefield firing.
Role in Conflicts
- Role in conflict
- Train-and-equip mortar ammunition supply
A Defense Department DSCA Iraq Train and Equip Fund record lists M888 60 mm high-explosive cartridges with M935 fuzes for Iraqi partner-force support, including 36,992 requested and 23,520 delivered; this supports procurement and delivery context rather than observed battlefield firing.
Documented Transfer Context
Public conflict-specific evidence for this cartridge consists of transfer, procurement, and delivery records. Those records identify the exact M888 cartridge and recipient force, but they do not show a specific combat firing event.
| Conflict context | Documented record | Reader caveat |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 War in Afghanistan | Small Arms Survey data lists 45,088 M888 60 mm HE cartridges with M935 fuzes in an Afghan National Army ammunition line. | Documents partner-force supply, not confirmed expenditure. |
| 2013 War in Iraq | The DSCA Iraq Train and Equip Fund record lists M888 60 mm HE cartridges with M935 fuzes for Iraqi partner-force support, including a delivered quantity. | Documents procurement and delivery context, not observed battlefield firing. |
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Type
- 60 mm high-explosive mortar cartridge
- Service note
- Modern U.S. mortar ammunition
- Produced
- Material release in March 1983; production and deployment item in modern U.S. Marine Corps inventory
Specifications
- Caliber
- 60 mm
- DODIC
- B643
- Length
- 14.738 in
- Weight
- 3.75 lb
- Range
- 67 to 3,490 m
- Rate of fire
- Up to 30 rounds per minute short periods; 20 rounds per minute sustained
- Fuze
- M935 point-detonating fuze with superquick and delay modes
- Explosive fill
- Composition B; EPA ordnance data lists 0.821 lb net explosive weight for the projectile
- Target set
- Personnel and light materiel targets; fragmentation and blast effect
- Reliability
- 99% at 90% confidence level
- Probable error
- Range 1.5%; deflection 2.5 miles
- Body and propulsion
- Same body and propulsion system as the M720 series
- Compatible system
- M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System
Cartridge Configuration
The M888 is the DODIC B643 60 mm HE cartridge for M224-series mortars. Published technical references describe a compact high-explosive round built around fragmentation and blast effect rather than smoke, illumination, or training output.
| Element | Documented detail | Source-backed significance |
|---|---|---|
| Firing system | M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System | Defines the cartridge as ammunition for the U.S. 60 mm light mortar family. |
| Fuze | M935 point-detonating fuze with superquick and delay modes | Separates the M888 from M734/M783-fuzed 60 mm HE family members. |
| Effect | Fragmentation and blast against personnel and light materiel | Explains its role as a lethal HE round rather than marking, illuminating, or practice ammunition. |
Variants
The M888 sits in the U.S. 60 mm high-explosive cartridge family for M224-series mortars. Army portfolio material identifies the M888 as a separate DODIC B643 round with the same body and propulsion system as the M720 series, while Army and manufacturer listings also place the M720A1 and M768 in the 60 mm HE cartridge set.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Adjacent 60 mm HE cartridge | The M720A1 is another 60 mm high-explosive cartridge for M224-series mortars; the M888 portfolio entry says the M888 uses the same body and propulsion system as the M720 series. Sources: Capability Program Executive - JPEO A&A Portfolio Book, Mortar Ammunition - Army.mil |
 | Adjacent 60 mm HE cartridge | Army mortar-ammunition listings identify the M768 as part of the 60 mm high-explosive cartridge family for M224-series mortars. Sources: Mortar Ammunition - Army.mil |
Compatible Mortar Systems
Army and EPA references identify the M888 as a 60 mm high-explosive cartridge fired from the M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System.
| Firing weapon | Weapon type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 60 mm lightweight company mortar | The Army portfolio book lists the M888 for the M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System, and EPA ordnance data describes the cartridge as fired in the 60 mm M224 mortar in the Lightweight Company System. Sources: Capability Program Executive - JPEO A&A Portfolio Book, EPA AP-42 Cartridges 30-75 mm |
Timeline
M888 60 mm high explosive cartridge Key Events
Material release date
The Army portfolio book gives March 1983 as the M888 cartridge's material-release date and lists the round in production and deployment for U.S. Marine Corps use.
Sources: Capability Program Executive - JPEO A&A Portfolio Book
Afghan National Army ammunition line
Small Arms Survey transfer data lists 45,088 M888 cartridges with M935 fuzes in an Afghan National Army 60 mm ammunition case implemented on April 25, 2013.
Sources: Small Arms Survey Afghanistan Arms Transfers Dataset
Iraq Train and Equip record
The DSCA Iraq Train and Equip Fund record lists M888 cartridges with M935 fuzes for Iraqi partner-force support, with 23,520 delivered against a 36,992-round line.
Sources: DSCA Actioned ITEF MORs
TRIDENT 17 training imagery
DVIDS imagery from TRIDENT 17 shows M888 mortar rounds prepared for indirect-fire training at Camp Shelby.
Sources: TRIDENT 17 M888 Mortar Rounds Image
Marine live-fire training image
A DVIDS photograph shows a U.S. Marine inspecting an M888 high-explosive mortar round before a live-fire and maneuver exercise at Fort Pickett.
Sources: M888 High Explosive Mortar Round Image
Media
M888 60 mm high explosive cartridge Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Mortar Ammunition - Army.milPublisher: U.S. Army Capability Program Executive Ammunition & Energetics | Note: Supports the Army mortar ammunition listing that includes the M888, M720A1, and M768 under 60 mm high-explosive mortar ammunition. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Capability Program Executive - JPEO A&A Portfolio BookPublisher: U.S. Army Capability Program Executive Ammunition & Energetics | Note: Supports the M888's DODIC B643 designation, 60 mm HE cartridge specifications, M224/M224A1 Lightweight Company Mortar System use, American Ordnance-Iowa AAP load/assemble/pack context, U.S. Marine Corps procurement, March 1983 material-release date, M935 fuze, and performance figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-29EPA AP-42 Cartridges 30-75 mmPublisher: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Note: Supports M888 DODIC B643 identification, M224 firing-system context, target effects, training/combat-use background, and the 0.821 lb projectile net explosive weight reported in ordnance detonation data. | Accessed: 2026-06-29American Ordnance Mortars and Mortar ComponentsPublisher: American Ordnance LLC | Note: Supports current manufacturer context for American Ordnance as operator of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and producer of 60 mm high-explosive mortar cartridges for M224 60 mm mortar use. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Small Arms Survey Afghanistan Arms Transfers DatasetPublisher: Small Arms Survey | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct transfer context by listing M888 60 mm high-explosive cartridges with M935 fuzes in Afghan National Army ammunition records; this documents supply to Afghan government forces rather than a specific firing incident. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DSCA Actioned ITEF MORsPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense Executive Services Directorate | Note: Supports 2013 War in Iraq transfer/procurement and delivery context by listing M888 60 mm high-explosive cartridges with M935 fuzes in Iraq Train and Equip Fund records for Iraqi partner-force support. | Accessed: 2026-06-29M888 High Explosive Mortar Round ImagePublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain U.S. Marine Corps photograph showing an M888 high-explosive mortar round before live-fire training. | Accessed: 2026-06-29TRIDENT 17 M888 Mortar Rounds ImagePublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain Navy photograph showing M888 mortar rounds prepared for indirect-fire training during TRIDENT 17. | Accessed: 2026-06-29M224 60mm Mortar ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain U.S. Army image of the M224 60 mm mortar. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Soldier Firing M224 60mm Mortar ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain U.S. military image showing a 60 mm mortar being fired. | Accessed: 2026-06-29