Projectile LU 216 ILLUM IR
Contents
LU 216 ILLUM IR — infrared illuminating projectile
LU 216 ILLUM IR (BB) - an illuminating projectile from a French manufacturer for 39- and 52-caliber guns. Used for discrete (in separate portions) illumination of the battlefield with light spread in the infrared range. It has a base-bleed generator (BB) to increase flight range.
The human eye does not see infrared radiation, but the sense organs of some other animals, for example snakes and bats, perceive infrared radiation, which helps them to find their way in the dark. (Source: Wikipedia)
With the main parachute open, the infrared flare descends at a speed of about 5 m/s and burns for 80 seconds. At night, when using night-vision devices, the diameter of the visible illumination zone is 2,400 m.
Technical specifications
- Weight with fuze - 44.4 kg
- Length without fuze - 803 mm
- Body material — forged steel
- Filler - 2.4 kg
- Flare burn time - 80 s
- Flare descent speed ∼ 5 m/s
- Permissible temperature: -54°C to +63°C
Usage notes
Ballistic characteristics are the same as for the cargo projectile M864
- Effective flare ignition height 640 m
- Effective flare burnout height 50 m
Maximum range (39 caliber):
With charge M4A2 – 17,180 m
With charge M119A1 – 22,000 m
With charge M119A2 – 22,000 m
But if time allows, the settings for the LU 216 can be determined more precisely. To do this, in Kropyva, on the calculated settings, switch to the "height slice". Given that the optimal flare burn height is ~650 m, mark this height on the projectile's trajectory and you will see by how much distance the sight setting must be increased to ensure the flare burns over the target.
Read: How to enter the correction when firing illuminating projectiles
Oleh Syrota (Georgich©) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine /
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