Squad-layer tool for drone manipulation. MS-V is a hand-thrown, pin-pull multispectral obscurant grenade that generates a dense visual and infrared screening cloud to disrupt UAS observation, break thermal and visual locks, and create uncertainty during contact, casualty recovery, and small unit movement.
Carried in addition to standard signal smoke. Always employed in groups of 2–3 with visual smoke for best effect against FPV and fiber-optic guided drones.
Disclaimer: Conceptual design document. Proposed performance targets are design goals (v2) — not fielded military requirements.
| Parameter | AN-M8 HC | M83 TA | MS-V (proposed v2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 680 g (24 oz) | 454 g (16 oz) | ~850 g (~30 oz) |
| Size vs baseline | Standard | Standard | ~25% larger envelope |
| Filler | 19 oz HC (VIS only) | 11 oz TA (VIS only) | 22–24 oz bispectral |
| Duration | 105–150 s | 25–90 s | 120+ s at good thickness |
| Build-up | ~10–20 s | ~10–15 s | ≤ 12–15 s |
| Spectrum | VIS only | VIS only | VIS + NIR + MWIR |
| IR defeat | No | No | Yes |
| Employment | Single or multiple | Single or multiple | 2–3 MS-V + visual smoke |
| Fuze | M201A1 | M201A1 | M201A1-compatible |
| Issue | Standard smoke load | Standard smoke load | +1–2 per soldier |
| Unit cost | ~$15–25 | ~$15–25 | $75–150 target |
| Irritation | High (HCl) | Low | Acceptable (non-lethal) |
| Role | Visual screening, signaling | Practice screening | UAS multispectral screen |
| # | Document | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Concept Overview | Purpose, problem statement, design philosophy |
| 02 | Operational Requirements | Mission, KPPs, MoE, secondary requirements |
| 03 | Design Constraints | Form factor, safety, cost, logistics |
| 04 | CONOPS / Use Cases | Five drone-manipulation scenarios |
| 05 | Key Design Trades | Density, duration, toxicity, cost trade-offs |
| 06 | System Description | Components, functioning, combined employment |
| 07 | Limitations and Risks | Honest capability limits and risks |
| 08 | Layered Defense Integration | Detection, EW, signal smoke, kinetic layers |
| Annex | Document | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | Baseline Grenade Comparison | TM 43-0001-29 data vs MS-V v2 |
| B | KPP Targets (v2) | Performance parameters and MoE |
| C | Trades Matrix (v2) | Fill options and recommended baseline |
| D | Spectrum and Cloud Model (v2) | Bands, FPV/fiber-optic notes, timing |
| E | References and Bibliography | Sources and revision history |
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| data/baseline_grenades.json | Machine-readable baseline specs and MS-V v2 targets |
| Decision | Selection | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Design priority | Density + duration | 2+ min thick cloud; user requirement |
| Weight | ~850 g | ~25% larger; enables fill mass for 120+ s burn |
| Build-up | ≤ 12–15 s | Moderate priority; realistic with multispectral fill |
| Duration | 120+ s | Matches/exceeds AN-M8; with added IR |
| Fill | Unified bispectral (Option A) | ECBC-validated; VIS + NIR + MWIR |
| Employment | 2–3 MS-V + visual smoke | Required for FPV/fiber-optic MoE |
| Irritation | Accepted (non-lethal) | Trade for IR performance; document + minimize |
| Fuze | M201A1-compatible | Training and logistics commonality |
| Philosophy | Soldier-first, obscuration only | No detection, jamming, or kinetic |
MS-V is the multispectral obscuration layer — always paired with standard visual smoke:
Detection → EW (optional) → MS-V + Signal Smoke → Kinetic (MKFS)
| Layer | MS-V Relationship |
|---|---|
| Detection | Cues employment; MS-V does not detect |
| EW | Complementary — jams RF; MS-V defeats EO/IR |
| Visual smoke (AN-M8/M83) | Required partner — combined MoE vs FPV/fiber-optic |
| Kinetic (MKFS) | MS-V degrades sensors; kinetic defeats persisted threats |
Fiber-optic and FPV drones immune to EW are the primary MoE target for combined MS-V + visual smoke employment.
MS-V/
├── README.md
├── docs/ (01–08 core documents)
├── annexes/ (A–E engineering annexes)
└── data/ (baseline_grenades.json)
- TM 43-0001-29 — Army Ammunition Data Sheets: Grenades
- FM 3-50 Ch. 7 — Visual-Infrared Obscurants
- ECBC Bispectral Obscurant Grenade (Army.mil, 2014)
Full bibliography: Annex E