TM-9-2350-311-10 M109 Operator's Manual for M109A2, M109A3, M109A4 and M109A5 Download
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TM 9-2350-311-10 Section IV. CANNON-LAUNCHED M712 COPPERHEAD COPPERHEAD TRAINING PROJECTILE 5-14 DESCRIPTION a. M712 Projectile PROJECTILE AND M823 Cannon-launched, guided M712 projectile (1) is a terminally guided system launched from the howitzer into a ballistic trajectory. During flight, the target is illuminated by a laser beam from a laser designator. An onboard computer continuously refines the terminal trajectory and provides guidance to the control surfaces, causing the round to home in on stationary or moving hard-point targets. The M712 projectile is fired in the same manner as conventional projectiles. The M823 training projectile must not be fired. Such firing could be a hazard to personnel forward of the weapon. b. M823 Projectile The training round for the M712 projectile (1) is the M823 projectile (2). The M823 training projectile is designed to train 155 mm howitzer weapon crews in the handling and setting of the M712 projectile. It simulates the M712 projectile in weight, center of gravity, and external appearance. It contains code and time switches which are set to simulate prefiring activity by the crew; however, it does not have the wings or fins. It is shipped and stored in the same type of container as the M712 projectile. 5-80