8-4
COLOR
INTERPRETATION
Yellow
(1) Identifies high explosives
(2) Indicates the presence of explosive, either
(a) sufficient to cause the ammunition to function as a high explosive, or
(b) particularly hazardous to the user
Brown
(1) Identifies rocket motors
(2) Indicates the presence of explosive, either
(a) sufficient to cause the ammunition to function as a low explosive, or
(b) particularly hazardous to the user
*Gray
(1) Identifies ammunition that contains irritant or toxic agents when used as
an overall body color, except for underwater ordnance.
Gray with red
band(s)
(1) Indicates the ammunition contains an irritant (harassing) agent.
Gray with dark
green band(s)
(1) Indicates the ammunition contains a toxic agent.
*Black
(1) Identifies armor-defeating ammunition, except on underwater ordnance.
Silver/aluminum
(1) Identifies countermeasures ammunition.
Light green
(1) Identifies smoke or marker ammunition.
Light red
(1) Identifies incendiary ammunition or indicates the presence of highly
flammable material.
White
(1) Identifies illuminating ammunition or ammunition producing a colored
light, except for underwater ordnance, guided missiles, and rocket
motors.
Light blue
(1) Identifies ammunition used for training or firing practice.
*Orange
(1) Identifies ammunition used for tracking or recovery.
Bronze
(1) Identifies dummy/drill/inert ammunition used for handling and loading
training.
Nonsignificant Colors
Olive drab
(1) All ammunition items.
Black
(1) For lettering
White
(1) For lettering
(2) For guided missiles and rocket motors.
*NOTES: The following colors, when applied as stated, have no identification color coding
significance:
1.
The colors gray, orange, black, white, brick red, or green on underwater ordnance, such as
mines and torpedoes, and the color white on guided missiles or rockets.
2.
The colors black and white, when used for lettering.
3.
The color white when used in diamond-shaped figures on ammunition.
Table 8-1.—Ammunition Color Codes
