INFANTRY SCHOOL

HANDOUT #1002
OPI: MOR
REVISED: SEPT 00

IDENTIFICATION OF AMMUNITION GROUPS

1. COMPATIBILITY GROUPS. Different kinds of ammunition and explosives can be

mixed in storage and transport only if they are compatible. Ammunition and explosives are considered to
be compatible if they can be stored or carried together without significantly increasing either the probability
of an accident or, for a given quantity, the magnitude of the effects of such an accident. There are twelve
compatibility groups, 81mm mortar ammunition, depending on its nature, can be found in Groups E, G or
H. These compatibility groups are defined as follows:

a. Compatibility Group D Compatibility group D consists of black powder, high explosive

(HE), ammunition containing HE without its own means of initiation and without propelling
charge, or a device containing an initiating explosive and containing two or more effective
protective features. This group includes ammunition and explosives that can be expected to
deflagrate or detonate when any given item or component thereof is initiated except for
devices containing initiating explosive substances with independent safety features.
Examples are: bulk trintrotoluene (TNT); Composition B; black powder; wet RDX or
PETN; bombs; projectiles; cluster bomb units (CBU’s); and depth charges and torpedo
warheads. 81mm proximity fuses are in this group.

a. Compatibility Group E. Ammunition containing HE without its own means of initiation

and with propelling charge (other than one containing a flammable or hypergolic liquid).
Ammunition or devices containing HE and containing propelling charges. Examples are:
artillery ammunition, rockets and guided missiles - 81mm HE is in this group;

b. Compatibility Group G. Pyrotechnic substance, or ammunition, or ammunition containing

pyrotechnic substance, or ammunition containing both an explosive and an illuminating,
incendiary, or smoke producing substance (other than a water activated device or one
containing white phosphorus, phosphide or a flammable liquid or gel). Examples are:
flares, signals, incendiary or illuminating ammunition and other smoke or tear producing
devices - 81mm illumination and RP are in this group; and

c. Compatibility Group H. Ammunition containing both explosives or other pyrotechnic

fillers which are spontaneously flammable when exposed to the atmosphere. Examples are
WP, plasticized WP and other ammunition containing pyrophoric material - 81mm WP is in
this group.

2. Transportation - Compatibility. A vehicle transporting ammunition should carry one

ammunition compatibility group, however, where a full load can only be obtained by loading more than
one group, or the entire shipment does not exceed 80 percent of the vehicle's noted capacity, compatibility
groups can be mixed according to the following chart. Note that Groups E, G and H are not compatible.

AMMUNITION COMPATIBILITY GROUPS

A,B,F,H,J,K,L,N ALONE
C,D & E PLACARD E
C&D PLACARD E
G&C PLACARD C
G&D PLACARD D
C,D & G PLACARD E

NOTE

1. Under operational circumstances only - all ammunition and components used in the same weapon
may be loaded in the same vehicle regardless of group.
2. The ammo from different compatibility groups may be loaded on the same vehicles for tpt in
the training areas in the following conditions:

a. all the same calibre; and

b. they are all for the same range or site.

3. S can be mixed with anything except A and L.

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