M125A1 Signal Illuminant Green Star Cluster

The M125A1 is primarily for signaling among ground troop emplacements and is occasionally used to signal aircraft. It consists of a five-star green cluster illuminant assembly and a rocket motor propulsion assembly all contained in a ten-inch hand-held aluminum launching tube. The fin stabilized rocket assembly propels the illuminant to an altitude of 300 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the illuminant and the assembly free falls to the ground and burns for 10 seconds at an intensity of 9,000 candlepower.

M126A1 Signal Illuminant Red Star Parachute

The M126A1 is primarily for signaling among ground troop emplacements and is occasionally used to signal aircraft. The M126A1 consists of a five-star green cluster illuminant assemble and a rocket motor propulsion assembly all contained in a ten-inch hand-held aluminum launching tube. The fin stabilized rocket assembly propels the illuminant to an altitude of 700 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the illuminant and the assembly parachutes to the ground and burns for 30 seconds at an intensity of 10,000 candlepower.

M127A1 Signal Illuminant White Star Parachute

The M127A1 is primarily for surface-to-air distress signaling, location signaling between troop emplacements, and battlefield illumination. The M127A1 Signal is a white star illuminant parachute suspended and propelled by a fin stabilized rocket motor propulsion assembly all of which is contained in a ten-inch, hand-held aluminum launching tube weighting 1.2 pounds. The rocket assembly reaches an altitude of 700 feet before the initiating charge ignites the white star illuminant and the assembly parachutes to the ground and burns for 30 seconds at 125,000 candlepower.

M158 Signal Illuminant Ground Red Star Cluster

The M158 is used for signaling among ground troop emplacements and occasionally to aircraft. The M158 Signal consists of a five-star green cluster illuminant assemble and a rocket motor propulsion assembly all contained in a ten-inch hand-held aluminum launching tube. The fin stabilized rocket assembly propels the illuminant to an altitude of 300 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the illuminant and the assembly free falls to the ground and burns for 10 seconds at an intensity of 9,000 candlepower.

M159 Signal Illuminant White Star Cluster

The M159 provides limited battlefield illumination in addition to functioning as a distress and troop emplacement-signaling device. The M159 Signal consists of a five-star white cluster illuminant assemble and a rocket motor propulsion assembly all contained in a ten-inch hand-held aluminum launching tube. The illuminant assembly reaches an altitude of 300 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the illuminant and the assembly free falls to the ground and burns for 10 seconds at an intensity of 30,000 candlepower.

M195 Signal Illuminant Green Star Parachute

The M195 is primarily for signaling among ground troop emplacements and is occasionally used to signal aircraft. The M195 Signal consists of a five-star green cluster illuminant assemble and a rocket motor propulsion assembly all contained in a ten-inch hand-held aluminum launching tube. The fin stabilized rocket assembly reaches an altitude of 700 feet after which an expelling charge ignites the illuminant and the assembly parachutes to the ground and burns for 30 seconds at an intensity of 5,000 candlepower.

Overview Marine Markers (Mk 25, Mk58 and Mk124) are used in sea-surface reference-point marking that use both smoke and flame. Applications include charting the course of enemy submarines, locating survivors during search and rescue operations, locating target areas in antisubmarine warfare or determining wind direction and velocity.

Mk25 Marine Marker

The Mk25 Marine Marker is a method used in sea-surface reference-point marking that calls for both smoke and flame. It has a variety of applications, such as charting the course of enemy submarines, locating a survivor during search and rescue operations, locating target areas in antisubmarine warfare or determining wind direction and velocity. It can be launched by hand or by sonobuoy launcher from either aircraft or surface ships.

The Mk25 marker is 18.5 inches long and 2.9 inches in diameter. It contains an Mk72 Mod 0 seawater-activated battery and electric squib. Prior to launch, the battery is activated by pushing in the base plugs. This exposes the battery cavity, which allows seawater to enter upon insertion into water. The water activates the battery, then the battery current initiates the electric squib, which in turn ignites the red phosphorous pyrotechnic composition. The gas buildup forces the valve assembly from the chimney in the nose, and yellow flame and white smoke are emitted. After 10-20 minutes of burning, the signal is expended and a scuttling charge sinks the container.

There are currently four variations of the Mk25 Marine Marker. Each functions identically, but Mod 2 contains two seawater-activated batteries and two squibs while Mod 3 variants contain only one of each. The Mod 4 variant uses the same number of batteries and squibs as the Mod 3 but features a plastic cover that is removed prior to launch to allow water to enter the cavity. Mod 3 also has an integral aluminum cover and arrow indicator placed in the safe arm position, which Mod 4 does not. Mod 3 is mostly used by the Air Force and Coast Guard, while the Navy uses Mod 4.

Mk58 Marine Location Marker

The Mk58 is used for all types of air-to-sea surface marking that use smoke and flame. It can be launched day or night from high-speed aircraft, helicopters or surface ships to provide a visual mark on the ocean's surface for a range of operations, from charting the course of enemy submarines during an antisubmarine warfare (ASW) mission to marking a survivor in the water during search and rescue (SAR) operations.

The Mk58 consists of a battery, squib, starter mix, two pyrotechnic candles and a transfer fuse that is used between the two candles. It is activated when water enters the battery port, causing the battery current to energize the electric squib and ignite the starter mix. The starter mix then lights the first pyrotechnic candle, which burns for 20 minutes, then initiates the second candle by use of the transfer fuse. The complete marker produces a continuous yellow flame and white smoke for a total of 40 to 60 minutes.

Mk124 Marine Signal, Smoke and Illumination

The Mk124 is used to identify the location of personnel during rescue and recovery missions, both at night and during the day. This hand-held device is carried by personnel in life vests and flight suit pockets; it can also be found in life raft survival kits. The Mk124 consists of an aluminum case approximately 5.375 inches long, 1.625 inches in diameter and 8 oz. in weight with a protective rubber cap on each end.