Smoke Producing Mortar Cartridge

A mortar cartridge assembly, comprising:

• a two part shell body having a payload compartment;
• a tailfin assembly positioned below said two part shell body;
• at least one external propellant charge positioned above said tailfin assembly;
• an ignition cartridge for igniting said propellant charge;
• a fuze positioned within said shell body;
• means for opening said two-part shell body while said mortar cartridge is airborne;
• a canister for containing and protecting a smoke producing composition and dimensioned to be releasably secured within said payload compartment such that when said two part shell opens said canister is released, wherein said canister comprises a cylinder having a top aid a bottom and includes a reinforcing plate affixed to the bottom of said cylinder, and wherein said smoke producing composition comprises an organic smoke producing agent, an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder;
• means for igniting said smoke producing composition in said smoke producing canister upon opening of said two-part shell body;
• and
• a drag assembly attached to said canister, said drag assembly comprising one or more ribbon streamers adapted to slow the descent of said canister and reduce drifting.