classified as a critical defective, a major defective, and a minor defective. SB 742-1 and the SBs for specific
items provide inspection criteria and defect classifications to assist the inspector with the inspection and with the
classification decision. An example of such inspection criteria and defect classifications is given in the extract
from SB 742-1 in the Appendix at the end of this subcourse booklet.
The paragraphs that follow provide guidance on how to classify some specific types of ammunition defects.
The deterioration of metal, plastic, and rubber components is classified as follows:
Critical. Deterioration that creates a hazardous condition for persons using or maintaining the item.
Major. Deterioration that significantly reduces or precludes the usability of the item and requires
maintenance or renovation prior to issue.
Minor. Deterioration that does not significantly reduce the usability of the item. Minor maintenance is
normally required to restore the item to an issuable condition or to prevent more serious deterioration.
Incidental. Superficial deterioration that affects only the surface of the item and not the intended use of the
item. Items with incidental defects are acceptable for issue at the time of inspection.
Mixed ammunition defects are classified as follows:
Critical. Types of ammunition mixed within a lot that can result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for
persons using or maintaining them (such as ball ammunition mixed with grenade cartridges, or blank HE
ammunition mixed with practice ammunition).
Major. Types of ammunition mixed within a lot that can result in failure during tactical use (such as HE
mixed with HEAT ammunition or the inclusion of the incorrect fuze model).
Minor and incidental defects are not defined for mixed ammunition.
Another type of defect is damage to ammunition. Note that any damage other than that defined here must be
noted on the appropriate record for information, but may not be used as an acceptance or rejection criterion. The
following is a guide to classifying ammunition defects caused by damage:
Critical. A condition where the damage can cause hazardous or unsafe conditions for persons using or
maintaining the item (such as broken safety devices, or broken fins on fin-stabilized projectiles).
Major. A condition where the damage can cause a failure or materially reduce the intended use of an item
(such as dented or distorted cartridge cases, damaged rotating bands, or misaligned components).
Minor and incidental defects are not defined for damaged ammunition.
2-13
MM0170
Previous Page
