PA-108 'Fat 50' Ammo Box

The PA-108 ammunition box is similar to the M2A1 .50 cal. ammo box, but is a little larger, about one inch, in each of its dimensions. Although other uses have been authorized, the primary use of the PA-108 is to store and carry 5.56mm ammunition for infantry use.

Stacks of 5.56mm blank ammunition in PA-108 cans, Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines, 30 April 2009.

PA-108 'Fat 50' Ammunition Can

Due to its size relationship to the M2A1 .50 cal. ammo can, te PA-108 Ammunition is often called the 'Fat-Fifty.' On the other hand, when used to carry four 200-round magazines of linked 5.56mm ammo for the M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), the PA-108 is called the 'SAW-Box.'

Another common use for the Fat-Fifty ammo box is to hold 1140 blank rounds of 5.56mm ammo in 20 round boxes. Other packaging for 5.56mm and for other cartridges have been used with the PA-108.

The PA-108 ammunition can measures 12.906 inches (327.81mm) x 7.297 inches (185.34mm) x 8.906 (226.21mm) in its outside dimensions. It is defined by MIL-C-70628 (drawing number 9396178, CONTAINER, AMMUNITION, PA108 ASSEMBLY). Two PA-108 boxes are packed into a wirebound, wood shipping crate (drawing number 12590218 - CRATE, SHIPPING AND STORAGE, AMMUNITION). The PA-108 ammunition box is covered by NSN 8140-01-252-4290.

Recommended Book about U.S. Army Weapons Systems

• U.S. Army Weapons Systems 2009

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