Mk 44 Mods 1 and 2; also Mk 52

Projectiles used in

Mk 44 Mods 1-2

Mk 52

Over-all lenght, inches

Rotor housing

Booster cap

Description: This fuze is constructed in two parts, a booster cup and a rotor housing into the base of which the booster cup is screwed. The rotor housing contains a double rotor assembly, one rotor located above the other. The upper rotor contains a primer de-tonator incorporating lead azide. The lower rotor contains a booster lead-in of tetryl. In the assembled position, each rotor is locked by two centrifugal detens so that the com-ponents of the firing train are out of alignment.

Operation: The fuze is armed by centrifugal force, which causes the two sets of ro-tor detents to move outward against their springs, unlocking the rotors. The weighted rotors are then revolved by centrifugal force, until their motion is arrested by the stop pins. At this time the firing train is fulle aligned, with the detonator immediately above the booster lead-in, and the fuze is armed. When the nose fuze functions, the gas pres-sure thus generated forces through the weakened part of the closing disc and fires the detonator, which initiates the booster lead-in and the booster.

Remarks: The Auxiliary Detonator Fuze Mk 52 is completely identical to the Mk 44, except that the rotor detent springs have been considerably weakened, allowing arming at lower rotational velocities than the Mk 44. This alteration was necessitated by the fact that the Mk 52 is employed in the low-spin major-caliber H.C. projectiles.

The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 44 Mod 1 has a die-cast motor housing; Mod 2 has a hole in the cover plate.

Figure 99. Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 44 Mod 0