12-2
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 countermeasure 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) Indicates illuminating ammunition or ammunition producing a
colored light; exceptions, 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:
a. The colors GRAY, ORANGE, BLACK, WHITE, BRICK RED OR GREEN on underwater ord-
.nance, such as mines and torpedoes, and the color WHITE on guided missiles or rocket motors.
b. The colors BLACK and WHITE when used for lettering.
c. The color WHITE when used in diamond shaped figures on ammunition.
Table 12-1.—Ammunition Color Codes
