Mk 44 Mod 1 and Mk 44 Mod 2

Heads used in

Fuzes found with

Over-all length, inches

Diameter, inches

Rotor housing

Booster cap

1.25

Description: The fuze is constructed in two parts, a rotor housing into the bottom of which is screwed a booster cup. The rotor housing contains a double rotor, one rotor above the other. The upper rotor contains a primer detonator incorporating lead azide. The lower rotor contains a booster lead-in of tetryl. In the assembled condition, each rotor is locked by two centrifugal detents, so that the firing train is out of line. See figu-re 169.

Operation: This fuze is armed by centrifugal force. When the rocket is launched, centrifugal force moves the two detents on each rotor out against their springs. The ro-tor are then revolved by contact with the stop pin. At that is arrested by contact with the stop pin. At that time, the firing train is in line, with the detonator immediately above the booster lead-in; the fuze is now armed. When the nose fuze functions, the gas pres-sure generated at that time forces through the weakened part of the closing disc to fire the detonator. The firing train is then as follows: booster lead-in, booster, and main charge.

Mk 44 Mod 2: The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 44 Mod 2 is the same as the Mk 44 Mod 1, except that the hole in the closing disc over the detonator is drilled completely through and a copper sealing disc, 0.02 inch thick, is placed over the closing disc.

Figure 169. Auxiliary Detonating Fuze (Rocket) Mk 44 Type