Description
Inert 20mm M940 MPT-SD Nose Assembly for 20×102mm Vulcan Ammunition
Item Overview
This inert component represents the nose assembly used with the 20×102mm M940 Multipurpose Tracer-Self-Destruct cartridge. It is often called an M940 nose fuze by collectors, but official Army records describe the M940 as a fuzeless, pyrotechnically initiated cartridge. This item contains no explosive, incendiary, propellant, primer, or tracer material and is intended for collecting, study, and display.
Identification and Features
The M940 used an aluminum nose attached to a heavy steel projectile body. The live nose assembly formed the projectile’s pointed profile and held part of its impact-initiated incendiary system. Its streamlined shape reduced drag and improved performance at longer ranges.
- Caliber: 20×102mm
- Cartridge designation: M940
- Cartridge type: Multipurpose Tracer-Self-Destruct
- Abbreviation: MPT-SD
- Component: Inert nose assembly
- Live nose-assembly drawing: 12551772
- Conventional separate fuze: Not used
- Primary cannon: M168 Vulcan
- Primary systems: M163 and M167 VADS/PIVADS
- Status: Inert display component
How the Live M940 Worked
The live M940 combined armor penetration, explosive action, incendiary effect, a visible tracer, and self-destruction in one projectile. Its hardened forward section could pass through light armor or thin aircraft skin before the projectile functioned. Heat from the tracer started the self-destruct system if the projectile missed its target. The inert component offered here cannot perform any of these functions.
Weapon Applications
The M940 was developed for the M168, a six-barrel 20mm Vulcan cannon adapted for ground-based air defense. The cannon armed the tracked M163 Vulcan Air Defense System and the towed M167 system, including Product Improved Vulcan Air Defense System configurations. These weapons protected ground units against low-flying aircraft and helicopters and could also engage lightly armored vehicles and other surface targets.
Historical Background
The U.S. Army approved the M940 as a Standard A cartridge on March 13, 1989. It was developed to replace the older M246 HEI-T-SD as the main VADS air-defense cartridge. Its improved shape reduced flight time and helped extend the effective air-defense range of the Vulcan system from about 1,200 meters to approximately 2,000 meters. The M940 represents a late Cold War effort to improve the performance of existing 20mm Vulcan weapons against faster and more durable targets.
Condition
This is an inert military-surplus component. It may show scratches, dents, finish wear, discoloration, oxidation, tool marks, or other signs of handling and storage. Markings, finish, and minor details may vary. This listing is for one inert nose assembly only; the projectile body, cartridge case, primer, propellant, tracer, ammunition link, and cannon are not included. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This inert M940 nose assembly is well suited for collections and displays covering Vulcan ammunition, air-defense weapons, and the development of modern multipurpose cannon projectiles.
- 20mm ammunition collections
- M163 and M167 VADS displays
- M168 Vulcan exhibits
- Air-defense history collections
- Military museums and educational displays
- Inert ordnance research
Approx length 1.5", Approx width 0.5", Approx height 0.5", Approx weight 0.1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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