Ballistic testing and performance evaluation. The propellant covered by this specification is intended for use in the MK 65 clearing charge and MK 67 propelling charge, which are used in MK 45 gun systems. The ballistic performance requirements contained within this specification pertain to the MK 67 propelling charge only and should not be applied to the MK 65 clearing charge or MK 68 reduced charge without prior review of historical performance data or IB modeling predictions for charge weight and muzzle velocity at a minimum.

First article and conformance inspection testing under this specification can be completed with either the 5"/54 weapon system (utilizing the MK 45 Mod 1 or 2) or the 5"/62 weapon system (utilizing the MK 45 Mod 4), with the only difference in requirements being the velocity variation.

Propellant. NACO is the designation for Navy "cool" low-force, low-flame temperature, single-base propellant types that contain low-nitration nitrocellulose (12.0 percent nitrogen, nominal). The type covered by this specification also contains n-Butyl Stearate as a coolant and potassium sulfate as a flash suppressant, and is designated BS-NACO. The propellant was designed for military use and has no commercial application.