GBU-24 Paveway III vs M18 smoke grenade

ABombs, grenades & mines

GBU-24 Paveway III

Laser-guided bomb

BBombs, grenades & mines

M18 smoke grenade

Smoke grenade

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

GBU-24 Paveway IIILength

4.39 m

Length source ↗

M18 smoke grenadeLength

0.146 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

GBU-24 Paveway IIIlarger figure on 4 of 4

Length+2907%
Diameter+619%
Mass+194344%
Warhead mass+284275%

M18 smoke grenadelarger figure on 0 of 4

None

Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.

Measured figures

Head to head

9 of 29 rows sourced on both sides

4.39m

146mm

Length+2907%

All recorded figures & sources

4.39 m

Length

Single source

4.39 m (14 ft 5 in)^[source]

0.146 m

Length

Single source

5.75 in (146 mm)^[source]

460mm

64mm

Diameter+619%

All recorded figures & sources

0.46 m

Diameter

Single source

460 millimetres (18 in)^[source]

0.064 m

Diameter

Single source

2.50 in (64 mm)^[source]

1.1t

0.54kg

Mass+194344%

All recorded figures & sources

1,050 kg

Mass

Single source

1,050 kg (2,315 lb)^[source]

0.54 kg

Mass

Single source

19 oz (540 g)^[source]

910kgFilling weight

0.32kgFilling weight

Warhead mass+284275%

All recorded figures & sources

910 kg

Filling weight

Single source

910 kilograms (2,000 lb)^[source]

0.32 kg

Filling weight

Single source

11.4 oz (320 g)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

GBU-24 Paveway III and M18 smoke grenade configuration
Specification	GBU-24 Paveway III	M18 smoke grenade
Type	Laser-guided bomb^[source]	Smoke grenade^[source]
Place of origin	United States of America^[source]	United States^[source]
In service	1983^[source]	24 September 1943-present^[source]
Designer	Texas Instruments^[source]	—
Designed	1980^[source]	1943^[source]
Manufacturer	Raytheon^[source]	Pine Bluff Arsenal^[source]
Filling	Mark 84 bomb as warhead^[source]	—
Used by	—	United States Australia Iraq New Zealand South Vietnam Ukraine^[source]
Wars	—	World War II Korean War Vietnam War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Russo-Ukrainian War^[source]
Developed from	—	M16 Colored Smoke Grenade^[source]
Unit cost	—	$109.02 (avg. cost in 2025)^[source]
Produced	—	1943-present^[source]
No. built	—	3,800,000+^[source]
Variants	—	G940 (Green) G945 (Yellow) G950 (Red) G955 (Violet)^[source]
Detonation mechanism	—	Pyrotechnic M201A1 Pull-ring delay Igniter (1.0–2.3 seconds)^[source]
Former operator · Australia	—	Australia^[source]
Former operator · Iraq	—	Iraq^[source]
Former operator · Poland	—	Poland^[source]
Former operator · South Vietnam	—	South Vietnam^[source]
Source measurement	—	The M18 Colored Smoke Grenade is the standard issue colored smoke grenade of the United States Armed Forces and is produced by the Pine Bluff Arsenal . Development began in 1942 after the Army Ground Forces requested a smoke hand grenade be made that had a visible range of 10,000 feet and could be used for marking friendly troop positions, identifying American tanks , or to signal location of downed planes . Utilizing previous experience in colored smoke signals, the Chemical Corps took on this task and had the first colored smoke grenades available in April 1943 designated as "M16".^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 1942, the Army Ground Forces requested a smoke hand grenade be made that had a visible range of 10,000 feet to be used for marking friendly troop positions, identifying American tanks, or to signal location of downed planes. Utilizing previous experience in colored smoke signals while cooperating with the Ordnance Department , the Chemical Corps took on this task. Development of colored smoke hand grenades began in September of that year.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage First models of the smoke grenades were based on the M7 tear gas grenade, utilizing its tube and fuse assembly. This was a 2 + 3 ⁄ 8 -inches wide and 4 + 5 ⁄ 8 -inches tall steel cylindrical tube with 3 lines of 6 emission holes going around the body. On top were 4 additional emission holes, and a threaded hole in the center that a M200A1 fuse went into. The fuel mixture chosen consisted of sulfur and potassium chlorate . Sodium bicarbonate was used as a coolant to absorb heat, helping the dye mixture burn longer while preventing it from decomposing. Organic dye mixtures that varied in composition based on color were pressed into the tube before the fuel mixture was added.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Finding the right dyes took time, with hundreds tested at the Edgewood Arsenal and various other agencies. Many were discarded due to not meeting visibility and color requirements, or for being in short supply at the time. Rather than the dyes being synthesized by Edgewood Arsenal Laboratories, they were obtained from various industries because of the variety and quantity required. Development was finished once all colors could be distinguished from 10,000 feet. These grenades produced smoke for 2 to 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 minutes. They came in colors of red, orange, yellow, green, violet, and black and were designated as "M16" in April 1943, becoming standard issue and entering full production in May.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Shortly after the production of the M16 began, the Army Ground Forces tested its performance and decided they wanted a more rapidly burning smoke grenade with a denser smoke cloud. This was not possible with the current composition of fuel and dye mixtures and would result in the dyes burning rather than volatilizing. Proportions of ingredients in the mixtures were adjusted, along with the pressure at which they were compressed during production. The rows of holes around the tube the mixtures went into were removed, and a 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inch hole was cut through the middle on the bottom.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The new grenades produced the desired denser, more vibrant colored smoke cloud, and had a shorter burning time of about 1 to 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 minutes. They were designated as "M18" on 24 September 1943, entering full production and replacing the M16 which was then marked limited standard and stopped being produced.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Originally they were to come in the same colors as the M16, including white. During later testing it was decided that orange and yellow along with blue and violet were too similar for aircraft to differentiate from altitudes of 10,000 feet. Black and white were discarded because being able to identify them from other battle-field related smoke would be difficult. This left the M18 being produced in 4 colors instead which was red, yellow, green, and violet.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In the 1950s the tube for the M18 was 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches wide and 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches tall. There were 6 emission holes on the top and an additional on the bottom covered by tape for smoke to release when ignited. On the top a M201A1 pull-ring fuse assembly was threaded into the middle, and the top was painted indicating the color of smoke inside. A yellow band and text painted on the body stated the color, lot number , and date produced following MIL-STD-1168 format.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Subsequent Design Changes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In the 1960s the M18 tube sized was changed to 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches wide and 5 + 3 ⁄ 4 -inches tall. There were 4 emission holes on the top instead of 6, but the one on the bottom remained. The top was painted indicating the color, while the body came in gray or olive drab. A yellow or gray band and text were painted on the body. A waxed cardboard tube was used for shipping protection instead of metal.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Subsequent Design Changes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage When ignited and thrown, the top of the grenade with the fuse assembly detached while the ballute inflated. The grenade would then glide towards the ground upright, and could float in water. During testing it was found these versions of the M18 had a lower smoke volume but burning time was almost double of the standard M18 with 90 seconds minimum. Although testing was considered successful, this version of the M18 was not used outside of it. It was created as the standard M18 was found to provide poor visibility for signaling when used in areas partially or fully covered in water in Vietnam .^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Non-submersible Variant; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The M18 is used by holding it in one hand with the safety lever pressed against the canister. The safety pin/ring is then removed after which the M18 can be thrown. As the safety lever is released, it is forced away from the body by a striker spring. The striker rotates on its own and strikes the percussion primer. The fuze delay then starts the ignition process. The tape covering the bottom emission hole is blown off and smoke is released. After ignition, the M18 produced a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds. The M18 could be thrown up to 35 meters by the average soldier.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Operation / Throwing; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage To use the launcher, the stabilizer tube was installed over the grenade launcher at a position that would give a desired range. The grenade/adapter was rotated so that the safety lever faced the ground, and the safety pin was removed. The assembly was launched by firing a high-powered blank from the rifle. When fired a forceful shock causes the setback band to slide down the grenade, releasing the lever. After launching the assembly would remain attached to the grenade until it landed. Using the M2/M2A1 adapter allowed higher ranges up to about 180 meters.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Operation / Launcher Attachments; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Reported operators	—	Reported operator · Afghanistan Reported operator · New Zealand Reported operator · Ukraine Reported operator · United States

FORCETALLY

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GBU-24 Paveway III

M18 smoke grenade

Type

Laser-guided bomb^[source]

Smoke grenade^[source]

Place of origin

United States of America^[source]

United States^[source]

In service

1983^[source]

24 September 1943-present^[source]

Designer

Texas Instruments^[source]

—

Designed

1980^[source]

1943^[source]

Manufacturer

Raytheon^[source]

Pine Bluff Arsenal^[source]

Filling

Mark 84 bomb as warhead^[source]

—

Used by

—

United States Australia Iraq New Zealand South Vietnam Ukraine^[source]

Wars

—

World War II Korean War Vietnam War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Russo-Ukrainian War^[source]

Developed from

—

M16 Colored Smoke Grenade^[source]

Unit cost

—

$109.02 (avg. cost in 2025)^[source]

Produced

—

1943-present^[source]

No. built

—

3,800,000+^[source]

Variants

—

G940 (Green) G945 (Yellow) G950 (Red) G955 (Violet)^[source]

Detonation mechanism

—

Pyrotechnic M201A1 Pull-ring delay Igniter (1.0–2.3 seconds)^[source]

Former operator · Australia

—

Australia^[source]

Former operator · Iraq

—

Iraq^[source]

Former operator · Poland

—

Poland^[source]

Former operator · South Vietnam

—

South Vietnam^[source]

Source measurement

—

The M18 Colored Smoke Grenade is the standard issue colored smoke grenade of the United States Armed Forces and is produced by the Pine Bluff Arsenal . Development began in 1942 after the Army Ground Forces requested a smoke hand grenade be made that had a visible range of 10,000 feet and could be used for marking friendly troop positions, identifying American tanks , or to signal location of downed planes . Utilizing previous experience in colored smoke signals, the Chemical Corps took on this task and had the first colored smoke grenades available in April 1943 designated as "M16".^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In 1942, the Army Ground Forces requested a smoke hand grenade be made that had a visible range of 10,000 feet to be used for marking friendly troop positions, identifying American tanks, or to signal location of downed planes. Utilizing previous experience in colored smoke signals while cooperating with the Ordnance Department , the Chemical Corps took on this task. Development of colored smoke hand grenades began in September of that year.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

First models of the smoke grenades were based on the M7 tear gas grenade, utilizing its tube and fuse assembly. This was a 2 + 3 ⁄ 8 -inches wide and 4 + 5 ⁄ 8 -inches tall steel cylindrical tube with 3 lines of 6 emission holes going around the body. On top were 4 additional emission holes, and a threaded hole in the center that a M200A1 fuse went into. The fuel mixture chosen consisted of sulfur and potassium chlorate . Sodium bicarbonate was used as a coolant to absorb heat, helping the dye mixture burn longer while preventing it from decomposing. Organic dye mixtures that varied in composition based on color were pressed into the tube before the fuel mixture was added.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Finding the right dyes took time, with hundreds tested at the Edgewood Arsenal and various other agencies. Many were discarded due to not meeting visibility and color requirements, or for being in short supply at the time. Rather than the dyes being synthesized by Edgewood Arsenal Laboratories, they were obtained from various industries because of the variety and quantity required. Development was finished once all colors could be distinguished from 10,000 feet. These grenades produced smoke for 2 to 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 minutes. They came in colors of red, orange, yellow, green, violet, and black and were designated as "M16" in April 1943, becoming standard issue and entering full production in May.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Shortly after the production of the M16 began, the Army Ground Forces tested its performance and decided they wanted a more rapidly burning smoke grenade with a denser smoke cloud. This was not possible with the current composition of fuel and dye mixtures and would result in the dyes burning rather than volatilizing. Proportions of ingredients in the mixtures were adjusted, along with the pressure at which they were compressed during production. The rows of holes around the tube the mixtures went into were removed, and a 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inch hole was cut through the middle on the bottom.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The new grenades produced the desired denser, more vibrant colored smoke cloud, and had a shorter burning time of about 1 to 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 minutes. They were designated as "M18" on 24 September 1943, entering full production and replacing the M16 which was then marked limited standard and stopped being produced.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Originally they were to come in the same colors as the M16, including white. During later testing it was decided that orange and yellow along with blue and violet were too similar for aircraft to differentiate from altitudes of 10,000 feet. Black and white were discarded because being able to identify them from other battle-field related smoke would be difficult. This left the M18 being produced in 4 colors instead which was red, yellow, green, and violet.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Creation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In the 1950s the tube for the M18 was 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches wide and 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches tall. There were 6 emission holes on the top and an additional on the bottom covered by tape for smoke to release when ignited. On the top a M201A1 pull-ring fuse assembly was threaded into the middle, and the top was painted indicating the color of smoke inside. A yellow band and text painted on the body stated the color, lot number , and date produced following MIL-STD-1168 format.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Subsequent Design Changes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In the 1960s the M18 tube sized was changed to 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inches wide and 5 + 3 ⁄ 4 -inches tall. There were 4 emission holes on the top instead of 6, but the one on the bottom remained. The top was painted indicating the color, while the body came in gray or olive drab. A yellow or gray band and text were painted on the body. A waxed cardboard tube was used for shipping protection instead of metal.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Subsequent Design Changes; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

When ignited and thrown, the top of the grenade with the fuse assembly detached while the ballute inflated. The grenade would then glide towards the ground upright, and could float in water. During testing it was found these versions of the M18 had a lower smoke volume but burning time was almost double of the standard M18 with 90 seconds minimum. Although testing was considered successful, this version of the M18 was not used outside of it. It was created as the standard M18 was found to provide poor visibility for signaling when used in areas partially or fully covered in water in Vietnam .^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Development History / Non-submersible Variant; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The M18 is used by holding it in one hand with the safety lever pressed against the canister. The safety pin/ring is then removed after which the M18 can be thrown. As the safety lever is released, it is forced away from the body by a striker spring. The striker rotates on its own and strikes the percussion primer. The fuze delay then starts the ignition process. The tape covering the bottom emission hole is blown off and smoke is released. After ignition, the M18 produced a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds. The M18 could be thrown up to 35 meters by the average soldier.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Operation / Throwing; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

To use the launcher, the stabilizer tube was installed over the grenade launcher at a position that would give a desired range. The grenade/adapter was rotated so that the safety lever faced the ground, and the safety pin was removed. The assembly was launched by firing a high-powered blank from the rifle. When fired a forceful shock causes the setback band to slide down the grenade, releasing the lever. After launching the assembly would remain attached to the grenade until it landed. Using the M2/M2A1 adapter allowed higher ranges up to about 180 meters.^[source]M18 smoke grenade · Operation / Launcher Attachments; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Reported operators

—

Reported operator · Afghanistan
Reported operator · New Zealand
Reported operator · Ukraine
Reported operator · United States