Development/Description
The Royal Ordnance L8 smoke grenade is fired from a 66 mm smoke grenade launcher and produces an immediate smoke screen for vehicle protection.
The L8 consists of a metal housing which contains the propelling charge and fuze and a black rubber case filled with a pellet of red phosphorus which, when ignited, bursts the case and produces an immediate cloud of smoke in the form of a curtain in front of the vehicle. The L8 grenade is electrically ignited and the fragments of burning phosphorus fall to the ground and continue to produce smoke. The cover is complete in about 2 seconds.
The 66 mm L8 smoke grenade can be launched by many types of launcher including the extensive range of Helio systems covered in detail on the following page.
Status
In production. In service with many countries including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.
