PGU Series 20mm Ammunition

The improved 20mm PGU configuration ammunition for the M61A1 aircraft gun is issued in the form of cartridges. All service cartridges have matched ballistics and are electrically primed.

The PGU series projectile is much more streamlined, and has a boattail for reduced drag and a significantly higher muzzle velocity. It closes the gap between the maximum range of the M61A1 gun using M50 series ammunition and the minimum range of the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. The HUD gunsight compensates for the PGU roundīs different ballistics.

The PGU configuration ammunition currently issued is classified as follows:

  • Target Practice Cartridge PGU-27/B
  • Semi-Armor Piercing High-Explosive Incendiary Cartridge PGU-28/B (SAPHEI)
  • Target Practice-Tracer Cartridge PGU-30/B (TP-T)

Identification

Like the M50 series ammunition, the PGU series ammunition is identified by the color the projectile is painted and by the lettering on the body of the projectile.

The PGU series projectile is divided into sections marked A, B, C, D, and E. Each section is painted with black, blue, red (incendiary), or yellow (high-explosive) paint. Some sections are not painted, therefore remaining the natural color of the metal (copper of chromate finish). The combination of the painted and unpainted sections produces the color code which identifies the ammunition type.

The lettering is stenciled in waterproof marking ink around the body of the projectile.

PGU-27/B Target Practice Cartridge (TP)

The PGU-27/B cartridge is used in practice firing and has no explosive filler in the projectile. The projectile consists of a steel body with a solid aluminium nosepiece swaged or crimped to the steel body. The projectile shape and ballistic properties are similar to those of other PGU configuration ammunition.

Projectile color code:

A: No paint (copper), B: Blue, C: Blue, D: Blue, E: Blue, Markings: White

PGU-27/B Cartridge

PGU-28/B Semi-Armor Piercing High-Explosive Incendiary Cartridge (SAPHEI)

The PGU-28/B cartridge is for use against aircraft and light material targets, and functions with semi-armor piercing, high explosive, and incendiary effect. The projectile consists of a steel body with an internal cavity filled with a sponge Zirconium pallet, composition A-4 and RS 40 incendiary mix. The aluminium nose contains RS 41 incendiary mix and is swaged or crimped to the steel body.

Projectile color code:

A: No paint (copper), B: Black, C: Yellow, D: Red, E: Chromate finish, Markings: White

PGU-28/B Cartridge

PGU-30/B Target Practice-Tracer Cartridge (TP-T)

The PGU-30/B cartridge is similar to the PGU-27/B projectile, except it incorporates a tracer in the base of the projectile. The projectile consists of a steel body with an aft cavity containing the tracer pellet. The aluminium nose is swaged or crimped to the steel body.

Projectile color code:

A: No paint (copper), B: Blue, C: Blue, D: Blue, E: Blue, Markings: White with Orange Tīs (location D)

PGU-30/B Cartridge

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