Diagram and cross section of the AN M18 smoke grenade.
Smoke billowing from a green M18.
The AN-M18 Colored Smoke Grenade is a US Army grenade used as a ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling device, a target or landing zone marking device, or a screening device for unit movements.
| Army/Navy Model 18 Colored Smoke Grenade (AN-M18) |
|---|
| Color/Markings: Olive drab body with yellow markings, the top painted red, green, yellow, or violet to indicate the smoke color. |
| Body: Body: Sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited. |
| Fuze Assembly: M201A1 Pull-ring Igniter. A "mouse trap" type igniting fuze with a 1.2 to 2.0 second delay. Ignition ignites the filler and expels it from the grenade body. |
| Filler: 11.5 ounces of a colored smoke mixture. Comes in red, green, yellow, or violet. |
| Weight: 19 ounces. |
| Safety clip?: No. |
| Range: Can be thrown 35 meters by an average soldier. |
| Duration: The grenade produces a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds (0.85-1.5 minutes). |
Potential hazard[]
With both the AN M8 and AN-M18, there is a danger of starting a fire if it is used in a dry area.
Field Expedient Use[]
When employing the M18 or AN-M8 HC hand grenade, it may be desirable to use one of these grenades without the fuze. To do this, the following procedure should be used in combat only:
- Remove the tape from grenade bottom to expose the filler.
- Remove the fuze by unscrewing it from the grenade.
- Ignite starter mixture with open flame.
- Immediately throw the grenade to avoid burn injury.