White phosphorus munition

White phosphorus (WP) is a material made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus that is used in smoke , tracer , illumination and incendiary munitions. As an incendiary weapon, WP burns fiercely and can set cloth, fuel, ammunition and other combustibles on fire. Since WWII, it has been extensively used as an anti-personnel weapon capable of causing serious burns or death. The agent is used in bombs , artillery , and mortars , short-range missiles which burst into burning flakes of phosphorus upon impact. White phosphorus is commonly referred to in military jargon as "WP", and the slang term "Willy/Willie Pete/Peter" (dating from World War I ) is still commonly used by infantry and artillery servicemen. WP is also a highly efficient smoke producing agent, burning quickly and causing an instant bank of smoke. As a result, smoke producing WP munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry , loaded in defensive grenade dischargers on tanks and other armored vehicles, or as part of the ammunition allotment for artillery or mortars . These create smokescreens to mask movement from the enemy, or to mask his fire. WP burns are particularly painful, as phosphorus burns slowly and cannot be extinguished by water.

White phosphorus sample White phosphorus glows when exposed to air White phosphorus is a material made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus that is used in smoke , tracer , illumination and incendiary munitions. Other common names include WP , and the slang term "Willie Pete," which is dated from its use in Vietnam, and is still sometimes used in military jargon . As an incendiary weapon, white phosphorus burns fiercely and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition and other combustibles. In addition to its offensive capabilities, white phosphorus is also a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, burning quickly and producing an instant blanket of smoke. As a result, smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry , loaded in grenade launchers on tanks and other armored vehicles, or as part of the ammunition allotment for artillery or mortars . These create smoke screens to mask movement, position, infrared signatures, or the origin of fire from the enemy.

US Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider dropping a 100-pound M47 white phosphorus bomb on a Viet Cong position in South Vietnam in 1966. White phosphorus munitions are weapons which use one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus . White phosphorus is used in smoke , illumination and incendiary munitions, and is commonly the burning element of tracer ammunition . Other common names include WP and the slang term "Willie Pete" or "Willie Peter" derived from William Peter, the World War II phonetic alphabet for "WP", which is still sometimes used in military jargon . White phosphorus is pyrophoric (self-ignites on contact with air), burns fiercely, and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles. In addition to its offensive capabilities, white phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapor. As a result, smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry , loaded in defensive grenade launchers on tanks and other armoured vehicles, and as part of the ammunition allotment for artillery or mortars . These create smoke screens to mask friendly forces' movement, position, infrared signatures, or shooting positions. They are often described as smoke/marker rounds due to their secondary function of marking points of interest, such as a light mortar being used to designate a target area for artillery spotters.

Incendiary munition This article is about military applications. US Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider dropping a 45 kilograms (100 lb) M47 white phosphorus bomb on a Viet Cong position in South Vietnam in 1966 White phosphorus munitions are weapons that use one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus . White phosphorus is used in smoke , illumination , and incendiary munitions, and is commonly the burning element of tracer ammunition . Other common names for white phosphorus munitions include WP and the slang terms Willie Pete and Willie Peter , which are derived from William Peter , the World War II phonetic alphabet rendering of the letters WP . White phosphorus is pyrophoric (it is ignited by contact with air); burns fiercely; and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles. In addition to its offensive capabilities, white phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapour. Smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry , loaded in defensive grenade launchers on tanks and other armoured vehicles, and in the ammunition allotment for artillery and mortars . These create smoke screens to mask friendly forces' movement, position, infrared signatures, and shooting positions. They are often called smoke/marker rounds for their use in marking points of interest, such as a light mortar to designate a target for artillery spotters.

Incendiary munition This article is about military applications. US Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider dropping a 100-pound (45 kg) M47 white phosphorus bomb on a Viet Cong position in South Vietnam in 1966 White phosphorus munitions are weapons that use one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus . White phosphorus is used in smoke , illumination , and incendiary munitions, and is commonly the burning element of tracer ammunition . Other common names for white phosphorus munitions include WP and the slang terms Willie Pete and Willie Peter , which are derived from William Peter , the World War II phonetic alphabet rendering of the letters WP . White phosphorus is pyrophoric (it is ignited by contact with air); burns fiercely; and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles. White phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapour. Smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for infantry , loaded in defensive grenade launchers on tanks and other armoured vehicles, and in the ammunition allotment for artillery and mortars . These create smoke screens to mask friendly forces' movement, position, infrared signatures, and shooting positions. They are often called smoke/marker rounds for their use in marking points of interest, such as a light mortar to designate a target for artillery spotters.