Artillery ammunition (artillery and mortar rounds). Fundamentals of artillery ammunition Loading artillery shells

Study questions
Question No. 1 “Definition of an artillery shot.
Elements of a shot. Classification of artillery
shots according to purpose and loading method"
Question No. 2 “Classification of artillery shells,
requirements placed on them. Ammunition."
Question No. 3 “Basic, special and auxiliary
types of projectiles, their design characteristics.”
Question No. 4 “Fuses for shells, their purpose
and device."
Question No. 5 “Marking on the closure, branding on
charges, shells, cartridges and fuses."

Educational and educational goals:

Educational and educational goals:
Explore:
1. Classification of shells and artillery rounds.
2.Elements of an artillery shot.
3. Types of projectiles, their design.
Requirements for projectiles.
4. Fuses, design and principle of operation
5.Instill in students responsibility for
in-depth study of artillery design
weapons.

Question No. 1 “Definition of an artillery shot. Elements of a shot. Classification of artillery rounds by purpose and method

Question No. 1 “Definition of artillery
shot. Elements of a shot. Classification
artillery rounds according to their intended purpose and
loading method"
An artillery shot is a collection
elements needed for production
one shot from a gun.
Siberian Federal University

Siberian Federal University
Artillery shots are classified:
1. By purpose:
- combat (for live firing);
- practical (for conducting combat training
shooting) ;
- idle (for simulating combat
firing during exercises, for signals and fireworks. He
consists of a powder charge, a cartridge case, a wad and means
ignition);
- training (for training gun crew
actions with a gun, handling shots,
preparation of warheads);
- special (for conducting experimental shooting at
polygons).

2. According to the charging method:
- cartridge (unitary) loading
(all elements of the shot are combined into one
whole);
- separate cartridge loading
(the projectile is not connected to the warhead in
sleeve);
- separate cap loading
(different from separate shots
sleeve
loading
lack of
sleeves, i.e. projectile + combat charge in
cap made of special fabric + product
ignition
(drum
or
electric tube).

3. According to the degree of readiness for combat use:
- ready (prepared for shooting, which can
be fully equipped (to the point of the projectile
fuse or tube screwed in) or incompletely
equipped
form
(V
point
projectile
screwed in
plastic plug));
- complete (unassembled shots, the elements of which
stored separately in one warehouse).
In artillery units, shots are stored only
ready, with shells in final or
incompletely equipped form.

Elements of an artillery shot:

-Projectile with fuse
- Combat propellant charge in the case
-IGNITER
-DIMENSIONER
-FLEGMATIZER
-FLAME EXHAUSTERS
-SEALING (obturating)
device

10.

Siberian Federal University
Question No. 2
"Classification of artillery
shells, requirements for them.
Ammunition"
Artillery shell - the main element
artillery round intended for:
suppression and destruction of enemy personnel and
his fire weapons,
defeating tanks and other armored targets,
destruction of defensive structures,
suppression of artillery and mortar batteries,
performing other artillery fire missions.

11.

Siberian Federal University
For the correct use of projectiles and
providing troops with them, as well as facilitating accounting
artillery shells differ:
1. according to purpose (basic, special,
auxiliary purpose)
2 gauge (small up to 70mm, medium from 70-152mm,
large ones more than 152mm)
3. the ratio of the caliber of the projectile to the caliber of the gun
(caliber and sub-caliber)
4.outdoor
outline
(long-range
And
short-range).
5.method of stabilization in flight (rotating and
non-rotating).

12.

Siberian Federal University
Requirements for artillery
shells.
Artillery shells are presented
tactical, technical and production-economic requirements.
The tactical and technical requirements are:
power, range or height,
accuracy of combat, safety when shooting and
durability of projectiles during long-term storage.
To production and economic requirements
include: simplicity of design and production,
unification of shells and their bodies, low cost and
non-scarcity of raw materials.

13.

Siberian Federal University
Combat kit - set quantity
ammunition per unit of weapon (pistol,
rifle, carbine, machine gun, machine gun, mortar,
gun, BM MLRS, etc.).
Table 4.1.
Dependence of ammunition composition on gun caliber
Table 4.1.
Gun caliber
57-85
100-130
152-180 203-240
Number of shots per
one BC, pcs.
120
80
60
40

14.

Question No. 3 “Basic, special and
auxiliary types of projectiles, their
design characteristics"
Main purpose projectiles are used for
suppression, destruction and destruction of various
goals. These include fragmentation, high-explosive,
high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing tracer,
cumulative, concrete-piercing and incendiary
shells. The vast majority of projectiles
to their device are a collection
metal shell (solid or
national team) and equipment appropriate for the purpose
projectile.

15.

16.

Siberian Federal University
Shells special purpose apply
for illuminating the area, setting up smoke
curtains, target designation, target sighting and delivery
into the disposition of the enemy propaganda
material. These include lighting,
smoke, propaganda and sighting projectiles.
Smoke steel projectile D4 consists of body 4
(Fig. 4) with an iron-ceramic driving belt 6,
ignition cup 2, bursting charge 3,
placed in the ignition glass, and
smoke-forming substance 5 placed in
chamber of the projectile body, sealing plug
7 with gasket 5 and fuse /.

17.

Siberian Federal University
Auxiliary projectiles
used for combat training of troops and
carrying out various testing grounds
tests. These include practical,
educational fire monitors and slab tests
shells.

18. Question No. 4 “Fuses for shells, their purpose and design.”

Fuses, explosives
devices and tubes are called
special mechanisms designed
to call the action of the projectile in the required
trajectory point or after an impact at
obstacle.

19.

Fuzes and fuses
are equipped with projectiles with high explosive equipment, and
tubes for projectiles having an expelling charge of gunpowder.
Detonation fuze chain and fire chain
remote tubes are shown in Fig. 1.
The detonation pulse in the fuses produces
detonation chain, which consists of an igniter primer, a powder retarder, a detonator primer, a transfer charge and a detonator. Ray
the impulse of the tubes is generated by the fire circuit,
consisting of an igniter primer, a moderator and
amplifier (firecrackers).

20.

21.

Shooting setup
Desired projectile action
team
Travel (main) installation
cap
tap
Shrapnel
"Fragmentation"
Removed
On "O"
High explosive
"High Explosive"
Wearing
On "O"
High explosive with delay
"Delayed"
Wearing
On "Z"
Ricochet (for B-429)
"Ricochet"
Removed
On "Z"
Shrapnel
High explosive
High explosive
Fig.7. Installation of fuses according to the type of action
Fig.8. Operational (installation) tool
for RGM fuses (V-429)
The cap is on
Tap on "O"
Ricocheting

22.

Siberian Federal University
Question No. 5
“Marking on the closure,
branding on charges, shells, cartridges and
fuses"

23.

Siberian Federal University
Ammunition coloring may be
protective and distinctive.
Protective painting is applied to the entire
surface painted gray (KV-124) for
with the exception of centering thickenings and
leading belts; distinctive paint - in
in the form of rings of different colors on a cylindrical
parts of shells, on casings and some
fuses. The remaining elements of the shot are not
are painted.
The propaganda shell is painted red
paint, and the bodies of practical shells
painted black with white markings

24.

BRANDING
Brands are marks that are embossed or embossed on
outer surface of projectiles, fuses (tubes), cartridge cases
and capsule bushings. Artillery shells have basic
and duplicate marks.
Main marks - signs showing the plant number, number
batch and year of manufacture of the shell (bottom) of the projectile, heat number
metal, marks of the Quality Control Department and the military representative of the GRAU and imprint
samples.
Duplicate terminals are applied at factories producing
equipment of shells and serve in case of loss of markings. To them
include:
explosive code (smoke-producing substance) and signs
mass deviations.

25.

FULL
name of the charge; Zh463M - charge index (in
sleeve or in a bundle); 122 38 - short name
guns; 9/7 1/0 00 - brand
gunpowder
additional
bunches, lot number,
year of manufacture of gunpowder and
designation
gunpowder
factory; 4/1 1/0 00 - brand
main beam powder
number
parties,
year
manufacturing
gunpowder
And
designation
gunpowder
factory; 8-0-00 - number
parties,
year
assemblies
shot and base number,
collected the shot. Letter
“F” at the end of the marking
indicates the presence in
phlegmatizer charge.

26.

Marking
on
shells
applied
on
head
And
cylindrical
parts
projectile
black paint.
00 - equipment plant number
; 1-0 - batch number and year
projectile equipment;
122 - projectile caliber (in mm); H sign of mass deviation; T designation of explosive;
OF-461 - projectile index
On smoke shells instead
BB code is set to
smoke-forming substance.
On armor-piercing tracers
shells also coded as explosives
apply the brand of this fuse,
with which the projectile is brought into
oxnarvid.

27. Self-study task

Siberian Federal University
Self-study assignment
Explore:
Material for this lesson
Basic literature:
1.Textbook. "Ground Artillery Ammunition."
pp.3-10,65-90.

Reducing collateral damage, simplifying logistics, and reducing the time to strike a target are just three of the many advantages of guided munitions.

Nammo's presentation ceremony of its 155mm Extreme Range projectile equipped with ramjet air jet engine, increasing the flight range to 100 km. This round could be a game-changer in artillery

If we add here the long range, then it is clear how valuable this type of projectile is for artillerymen and commanders. The main disadvantage is the cost of guided munitions compared to unguided ones. However, it is not entirely correct to make a comparative assessment of individual shells. It is necessary to calculate the total cost of impact on the target, since in some situations it may be necessary to fire significantly more shots with standard projectiles, not to mention the fact that the fire task may not be feasible in principle with unguided or shorter-range projectiles.

The Excalibur IB guided projectile is widely used in modern military operations. At the moment, more than 14,000 such shells have been fired

Increasing accuracy

Currently, the main consumer of guided munitions is the US armed forces. The Army has fired thousands of these rounds in combat operations, and the Navy is also seeking similar capabilities. Although some programs were closed due to cost problems, for example, the 155-mm LRLAP (Long Range Land Attack Projectile) projectile, designed specifically for firing from the Mk51 AGS (Advanced Gun System) gun mount installed on the DDG 1000 class destroyer Zumwalt , the American Navy, however, did not give up trying to find a guided projectile for the AGS itself, as well as for its 127-mm Mk45 guns.

BAE Systems is working on numerous artillery programs. Among them is the High Velocity Projectile, which can be fired from rail guns and standard guns

Frame Marine Corps The United States is ready to launch the MTAR (Moving Target Artillery Round) program, which may begin in 2019, with the goal of deploying ammunition capable of hitting moving targets in the absence of a GPS signal at ranges from 65 to 95 km. In the future, extended-range guided projectiles will also remain in the sphere of interests of the US Army, which is starting the ERCA (Extended Range Cannon Artillery) program without replacing existing systems 39-caliber barrels to 52-caliber barrels, which in combination with extended-range projectiles will double their current range.

Meanwhile, Europe is also following these trends and, while numerous companies are developing guided and extended range projectiles, European armies are eyeing these munitions with interest, and some expect to adopt them in the near future.

It would be right to start with the most widely used 155-mm Excalibur projectile, because over 14,000 of them were fired in combat. According to Raytheon, the Excalibur IB, now in mass production, retains the performance of the original projectile while reducing the number of components and cost and has demonstrated reliability in excess of 96%, even in difficult urban terrain, providing an accuracy of 4 meters at maximum ranges of almost 40 km when fired from guns 39 calibers long. In the 2019 budget, the Army requested money to purchase 1,150 Excalibur rounds.

The PGK (Precision Guidance Kit) high-precision guidance kit developed by Orbital ATK is screwed onto a 155-mm artillery shell instead of a fuse; the GPS system and bow rudders allow it to be aimed with high accuracy

Dual-mode homing heads

Although the current variant is a bestseller, Raytheon is far from resting on its laurels. By improving its systems, the company is close to identifying new solutions that can cope with more complex scenarios and new threats. GPS signal jamming was tested in several areas, resulting in a new version of the projectile with improved anti-jamming capabilities and dual-mode guidance. The new Excalibur S ammunition will be guided both by GPS signals and using a homing head (GOS) with semi-active laser homing. The company is discussing its final configuration with potential customers, but specific completion dates have not yet been announced.

Another dual-mode version with guidance at the final part of the trajectory is being developed. It doesn't have a name yet, but according to Raytheon, it's not far behind the S variant in terms of development. An option with a multi-mode seeker is also being considered. Guidance isn't the only component that can evolve. The Army has set out to dramatically increase the range of its cannon artillery, and Raytheon is working on advanced propulsion systems, including bottom gas generators; In addition, new combat units, such as anti-tank, are on the agenda. This may be a response to the already mentioned Marine Corps MTAR project. As for the US Navy, in the summer of 2018 another demonstration firing was carried out with the 127-mm version of the Excalibur N5, compatible with the Mk45 gun. The fleet requires a range of 26 nautical miles (48 km), but the company is confident it can reach or even exceed this figure.

Raytheon is looking at the export market with interest, although possible orders here will be significantly smaller than in the United States. Excalibur is currently being tested with several 155mm artillery systems: PzH200, Arthur, G6, M109L47 and K9. In addition, Raytheon is working on its compatibility with the Caesar and Krab self-propelled guns.

Nexter's Spacido programmable airbrake has recently completed qualification to significantly improve precision

There is no available data on the number of 155-mm ammunition equipped with the M1156 PGK (Precision Guidance Kit) developed by Orbital ATK (currently Northrop Grumman) and used in combat. Although the first production batch was released in February of this year, over 25,000 of these screw-on GPS-based systems have been manufactured. Two months later, the Department of Defense awarded Orbital ATK a $146 million projectile development contract that extends PGK production until April 2021.

The PGK is screwed onto the projectile instead of a standard fuse, a GPS antenna (SAASM - Selectively Available Anti-Spoofing Module) is built into the nose, followed by four small fixed inclined nose stabilizers and a remote fuse behind them. Programming is done using a hand-held EPIAFS (Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuse-Setter), the same device that is connected to the computer when programming the Excalibur projectile.

Using its experience in developing PGK and sniper ammunition, Orbital ATK is developing a 127 mm PGK-Aft naval projectile, as the guidance element is installed in its tail (English, Aft)

The shells are bigger and better

Based on its experience with the PGK kit, Orbital ATK is currently developing a 127mm projectile aimed at the Navy's guided munitions program for the Mk45 gun. The company proactively wants to demonstrate to the fleet the capabilities of the new PKG-Aft projectile in terms of accuracy and range.

Few details are known about this device, but the name, for example, suggests that it is installed not in the nose, but in the tail part (aft - tail part) of the projectile, while the technology for overcoming overloads in the gun barrel is taken directly from the PGK system. This solution with a tail guidance device is based on a study conducted by ATK together with DARPA on the 12.7 x 99 mm EXASTO (Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance) cartridge. The tail element will also have rocket engine, which will increase the range to the required 26 nautical miles, and the seeker with guidance at the end of the trajectory will provide an accuracy of less than one meter. There is no information on the type of seeker, but the company said that “PGK-Aft supports various advanced seekers and fire missions for direct and indirect fire in all calibers without major modifications to the gun system.” The new projectile is also equipped with an advanced warhead with ready-made submunitions. Orbital ATK successfully live-fired 155mm PGK-Aft prototypes in December 2017 and is currently developing a 127mm precision projectile with the PGK-Aft kit.

BAE Systems is working on the PGK-M (Precision Guidance Kit-Modernised) kit, aiming to improve maneuverability while improving anti-jamming capabilities. The latter is achieved through GPS-based navigation in combination with a rotation-stabilized guidance unit and antenna system. According to the company, the circular probable deviation (CPD) is less than 10 meters, the projectile can hit targets at high angles of attack. After completing over 200 tests, the projectile is now at the subsystem development stage. In January 2018, BAE Systems received a contract to develop this kit into a production model. The PGK-M kit is fully compatible with 155 mm M795 and M549A1 ammunition and M109A7 and M777A2 artillery systems.

In the future, Nexter's Katana family will have a second member, the Katana Mk2a, equipped with wings that will double its range; in this case, the laser-guided version will be developed only after the military submits an application

On board American cruisers

After the decision to close the project on the LRLAP (Long Range Land Attack Projectile) projectile, created for the 155-mm AGS (Advanced Gun System) gun mount, it turned out that not a single projectile was suitable for this weapon without modification. In June 2017, BAE Systems and Leonardo announced cooperation in the field of new high-precision systems based on new modifications of the Vulcano family for various gun systems, including AGS and Mk45 naval guns. The memorandum of understanding between the two companies provides for the development of all artillery systems, but each under a separate agreement. At the moment, an agreement has been signed on two naval guns, but in the future, ground-based systems, for example, M109 and M777, may become part of the agreement. This summer, the BAE-Leonardo team fired the Mk45 gun with the Vulcano GLR GPS/IMU projectile to demonstrate their compatibility. The US Navy has a need for precision-guided munitions and is very interested in extended range projectiles, and the Vulcano family of projectiles meet both of these requirements.

The Vulcano family is close to completing the qualification process, which is being carried out in parallel for ship-based and ground-based ammunition, respectively in caliber 127 mm and 155 mm. In accordance with the intergovernmental agreement between Germany and Italy on the guided version and the decision to integrate the laser semi-active seeker from Diehl Defense, the qualification process for the GLR (Guided Long Range) variant is financed equally by the two companies, while the unguided BER (Ballistic Extended Range) variant is financed entirely by Italy. All operational tests have been successfully completed and the Vulcano ammunition is currently undergoing safety testing, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Meanwhile, Leonardo has begun production of a pilot batch, which will allow it to prepare for mass production and accept the final configuration of the projectiles. The launch of full-scale production is planned for early 2019.

Leonardo has developed the Vulcano family of extended-range guided ammunition for 127 mm and 155 mm guns, which are in the final stage of qualification

In 2017, live firing of a 127 mm Vulcano GLR shell from a modified 127/54 gun was carried out on board an Italian ship; and at the beginning of 2018, a shell was fired from the new 127/64 LW gun installed on the FREMM frigate. For the first time, this projectile was fed into a gun mount from a ship's revolver-type magazine, programmed by an induction coil built into the gun, to which data was supplied from the ship's combat control system; thus, complete system integration was demonstrated. As for the ground version, these shells were fired from a PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer, programming was carried out using a portable unit. At the moment, Germany is not seeking to integrate this system into the PzH2000 howitzer, since some modifications to the semi-automatic loading system will be required. In Italy, the shells were also tested with the FH-70 155/39 towed howitzer.

The increase in the range of Vulcano projectiles was achieved through a sub-caliber solution; a pallet was used to seal the projectile in the barrel. The fuse can be set in four modes: impact, delayed, timed and air detonation. BER shells can be fired at a range of more than 60 km, while GLR shells can fly 85 km when fired from a 127 mm gun and 70 km when fired from 155 mm/52 caliber guns (55 km from 155/39). A fuse is installed in the nose of the GLR projectile, then there are four control surfaces that correct the trajectory of the projectile, and behind them is a GPS/IMU unit. Shells for naval guns can be equipped with an infrared seeker, while shells fired at ground targets are equipped with a semi-active laser seeker. These heads slightly increase aerodynamic drag, reducing range to a minimal extent. Although the configuration has now been effectively adopted and testing has confirmed the predicted range and accuracy, Leonardo is working to reduce the KBO of the laser-guided variant under an additional contract and is confident that it will cope with the new requirements. This modification will be adopted for all Vulcano projectiles; the company expects to produce one version of the projectile with a semi-active seeker.

In addition to Italy and Germany, the Netherlands has observer status in the Vulcano family of projectiles program, and the possibility of purchasing them is being considered by several other potential customers, including South Korea and Australia. Recently, the Slovak firm Konstrukta-Defence signed a cooperation agreement with Leonardo to promote Vulcano ammunition and integrate it with its artillery systems, such as the Zuzana 2 155/52.

High-precision artillery fuze TopGun developed by Israel Aerospace Industries

Nexter enters the 3D world

Nexter Ammunition has begun an evolutionary program in the field of 155 mm ammunition, which involves the development of 3D printed ammunition elements. The first step was the high-precision Bonus projectile. Spacido trajectory correction kit has become next step. This summer, the company announced that all shooting was carried out successfully, qualifications were completed and all that remained was to issue certification documents.

Screw-on instead of a fuze, the Spacido is an air brake that reduces range error. A small Doppler radar checks the initial speed and monitors the first part of the trajectory, an RF link provides data transmission to Spacido, whose computer decides when the brake should deploy, reducing dispersion by a factor of three. Essentially, although the jammer-resistant Spacido device costs twice as much, it can significantly reduce the consumption of projectiles and engage targets in close proximity to friendly forces.

At Eurosatory 2018, Nexter announced a new family of extended range precision 155mm artillery shells called Katana. The development of new projectiles was carried out as part of the Menhir program, which was announced in June 2016. It was launched in response to customer needs for increased accuracy and range. Above all, the French army requires precision for what it calls "urban artillery." The projectile, designated Katana Mk1, has four rigidly fixed wings in the nose, followed by four corrective rudders connected to the IMU-GPS guidance unit. All wings, including the tail rudders, open after the projectile leaves the barrel. Currently the projectile is at the stage technological development. The first firing was carried out under the supervision of the Defense Acquisition Directorate. The goal of this program is to provide the army with a guided projectile with a CEP of less than 10 meters and a range of 30 km when fired from a 52-caliber barrel. According to the schedule, the Katana Mk1 projectile should appear on the market in two years. The second step will be to increase the range to 60 km, this will be achieved by adding a set of folding wings, the arrangement of which could be seen in the mock-up displayed at Eurosatory. They will provide lift during the descent phase, which will double the flight range. Nexter intends to surpass the capabilities of other competitors' projectiles in terms of range and warhead combination, but at a lower cost, set at 60 thousand euros. The projectile, designated Katana Mk2a, will be available around 2022. In two years, when the need arises, Nexter will be able to develop a 155-mm Katana Mk2b laser-guided projectile with a meter CEP.

In addition to increasing range and targeting, Nexter is also developing new warheads using new materials and 3D printing

Nexter is also working on warhead technologies using 3D printing and aluminium, a material made from nylon filled with aluminum dust. This will allow you to control the damage radius in the event of shelling of a target in close proximity to your forces. The company today began researching opto-pyrotechnic technologies to control the initiation of an explosion using optical fiber; all of this research is still at an early stage and will not be included in the Katana projectile program.

Israel Aerospace Industries is ready to complete the development of its TopGun artillery fuze. The screw-on system, which performs trajectory correction along two coordinates, reduces the CEP of a conventional projectile to less than 20 meters. The range with such a fuse is 40 km when fired from a gun with a 52-caliber barrel, guidance is carried out by the INS-GPS unit. The program is currently at the qualification stage.

Nammo has qualified its expanded family of ammunition. The first customer was Finland, which will soon begin testing them on its K9 Thunder 155/52 self-propelled guns

On the Norwegian side

The Norwegian company Nammo recently awarded the first contract for its 155mm extended range artillery ammunition. Based on their rich experience, they developed a special module - a bottom gas generator. Small-caliber precision-guided munition manufacturing processes were used to minimize variations in material and shape, thereby minimizing changes in airflow and mass distribution.

The program was partially financed by the Norwegian Defense Property Agency, but the first customer was Finland, which signed a contract in August 2017, the result of which will be firing tests scheduled for 2019. Compared to standard projectiles, the 155 mm low-sensitivity extended-range high-explosive fragmentation projectile can fly 40 km when fired from a 52-caliber barrel. Nammo is waiting for an order from the Norwegian army.

A close-up of a 155mm projectile powered by Nammo's Extreme Range ramjet engine. The key component in it is the aerodynamic propulsion system and therefore not a single sensor is installed in the nose of the projectile

Nammo decided to use radical new technology, integrating a ramjet engine into a 155-mm projectile under the Extreme Range program. The ramjet engine, or ramjet, is the simplest airbreathing engine because it uses forward motion to compress incoming air without the use of an axial or centrifugal compressor, and there are no moving parts. The required minimum muzzle velocity is Mach 2.5-2.6, and a standard 155mm projectile leaves a 52-caliber barrel at approximately Mach 3. A ramjet is by nature a self-regulating engine, maintaining a constant speed regardless of flight altitude. A speed of about Mach 3 is maintained for about 50 seconds, and thrust is provided by NTR3 fuel (concentrated hydrogen peroxide) with additives. Thus, the range of a ramjet projectile is increased to more than 100 km, which turns the artillery weapon into a much more flexible and versatile system. Nammo plans to conduct the first ballistic tests in late 2019 or early 2020. Since an increase in range results in a 10-fold increase in COE, Nammo, together with a partner company, is working in parallel on a guidance system for this projectile based on a GPS/INS module. In this case, no seeker can be installed in the bow; the operating principle of a ramjet engine is aerodynamic and, therefore, an air intake device is simply necessary for its operation. The projectile is compatible with the protocol for 155-mm JBMOU L52 projectiles (Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding - joint memorandum on ballistics). It defines a typical nose air intake with a central cone, four forward stabilizers and four curved tail wings that deploy as the projectile leaves the barrel. The warhead of the projectile is high-explosive fragmentation, and the amount of explosives will be reduced compared to a standard 155-mm projectile. Nammo said that the explosive mass “will be approximately the same as in a 120-mm projectile.” The projectile will be used against stationary targets, ground air defense facilities, radars, command posts etc., the flight time will be on the order of several minutes. In accordance with the requirements of the Norwegian armed forces, Nammo plans to begin mass production of this projectile in 2024-2025.

Expal's 155 ER02A1 projectile has been adopted by the Spanish Army. It can be equipped with either a tapered tail section or a bottom gas generator, providing a flight range of 30 and 40 km, respectively, when fired from a 52-caliber barrel

At the Eurosatory exhibition, Expal Systems confirmed the signing of an agreement for the supply of 155 mm extended range ammunition. The 155-mm ER02A1 projectile can be equipped with either a tapered tail module or a bottom gas generator, which provide a flight range of 30 and 40 km, respectively, when fired from a 52-caliber barrel. The high-explosive variant, developed jointly with the Spanish Army, has passed qualification, unlike the illumination and smoke variants, which have yet to qualify. The agreement also includes the newly developed EC-102 electronic fuze with three modes: impact, timer and delay. In accordance with the operational needs of the Spanish army, Expal will supply new projectiles and fuses for them over the next five years.

Based on materials from sites:
www.nationaldefensemagazine.org
www.baesystems.com
www.raytheon.com
www.leonardocompany.com
www.nexter-group.fr
www.nammo.com
www.imisystems.com
www.orbitalatk.com
www.maxam.net
www.milmag.pl
www.doppeladler.com
pinterest.com
fas.org
armyman.info

Artillery ammunition includes shells fired from cannons and howitzers, mortar shells, rockets.

It is very problematic to classify in any way the artillery ammunition used on the fronts during the war.

The most common classification is by caliber, purpose and design.

USSR: 20, 23, 37, 45, 57, 76, 86 (unitary), 100, 107, 122, 130, 152, 203 mm, etc. (separate charging)

However, there are cartridges for the DShK-12.7 mm machine gun, the bullet of which is a high-explosive impact projectile. Even a rifle bullet of 7.62 mm caliber (the so-called sighting-incendiary) PBZ model 1932 is essentially a very dangerous explosive projectile.

Germany and allies: 20, 37, 47, 50, 75, 88, 105, 150, 170, 210, 211, 238, 240, 280, 305, 420 mm, etc.

According to their purpose, artillery ammunition can be divided into: high-explosive, fragmentation, high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing, armor-piercing (cumulative), concrete-piercing incendiary, buckshot, shrapnel, special purpose (smoke, lighting, tracer, propaganda, chemical, etc.)

It is extremely difficult to separate ammunition according to the national characteristics of the warring parties. The USSR's arsenal used British and American ammunition supplied under Lend-Lease, reserves tsarist army, suitable for trophy caliber. The Wehrmacht and allies used ammunition from all European countries, including captured ones.

Near Spasskaya Polist, at a German howitzer position 105 mm, a warehouse (field) was discovered, and in it: German cartridges, Yugoslav shells, fuses produced by the Czech Skoda plant.

In the Luga area, at the German position in July 1941, the Nazis shot at our tanks from 75 mm guns with armor-piercing shells, the casings of which were equipped with Soviet KV-4 capsule bushings manufactured in 1931. Finnish army in 1939-40 and in 1941-44, which officially did not have medium and large caliber made extensive use of captured Soviet guns and ammunition. Swedish, English, American, Japanese, from the stocks of the Principality of Finland before 1917, are often found.

It is also impossible to separate the shells used by the fuses installed on them.

Most Soviet fuses (RGM, KTM, D-1), developed back in the early thirties and, by the way, still in service today, were very advanced, easy to manufacture and had broad unification - they were used in shells and mines of various calibers. Probably, a classification should be made according to the degree of danger at the present time, but unfortunately statistics on accidents are not kept anywhere, and people are often maimed and killed because of their own curiosity, recklessness and basic ignorance of safety precautions.

Most of the shells used were set to impact; fuses were used in the head and bottom. According to army rules, a projectile dropped from a height of 1 meter is not allowed to be fired and must be destroyed. What then to do with shells that have lain in the ground for 50 years, often with decomposed explosives, abandoned due to the impossibility of using them in battle, scattered by explosions, fallen from carts.

Worthy special attention shells and mines of unitary loading, i.e. projectiles combined with a case like a rifle cartridge, but lying separately, without a case. This occurs, as a rule, as a result of mechanical action and in most cases such VPs are on alert.

Shells and mines that have been fired but not exploded are extremely dangerous. In places where fighting took place in winter, they fell into soft snow or into a swamp and did not explode. They can be distinguished by the traces of an artillery shell that passed through the bore (a distinctive feature is traces of depressed rifling on the copper driving belt,

and mines - by the pinned blasting charge primer on the back. Particularly dangerous are ammunition with a deformed body, and especially with a deformed fuse, especially with dried explosive salts protruding on the surface of the fuse or at the site of its threaded connection.

Even ammunition carefully stored in combat positions requires special care - it is possible to install tension and unloading mines, and explosive decomposition due to time and moisture. A projectile sticking out of the ground with its bottom up can be either one that has passed through the bore and unexploded, or it has been installed as a mine.

Armor-piercing tracer shells for 45 mm and 57 mm guns (USSR)

An armor-piercing tracer projectile is designed for direct fire at tanks, armored vehicles, embrasures and other targets covered with armor.

Infamous due to numerous accidents that occurred due to careless handling. It has the official name "Unitary cartridge with an armor-piercing tracer blunt-headed projectile with a ballistic tip BR-243."

The unitary cartridge index is applied to the cartridge case - UBR-243. The BR-243K sharp-headed projectile is occasionally found. The projectiles are identical in design and degree of danger. The tetryl bomb weighs 20 g. The power of the explosion is explained by the thick walls of the projectile, made of alloy steel, and the use of powerful explosives. The explosive charge and fuse with an aluminum tracer are located in the bottom of the projectile. An MD-5 combined with a tracer is used as a fuse.

The so-called “blank” was also in service - outwardly almost indistinguishable from the above-mentioned ones, but practically safe. In particular, a similar ammunition for the 57 mm cannon was called “Unitary cartridge with armor-piercing tracer solid projectile BR-271 SP.” It is not always possible to read the markings on a rusted projectile. It's better not to tempt fate. Armor-piercing shells found separately from the cartridges, and especially those that have passed through the bore, are especially dangerous. Even breathing on them should be done carefully.

Perhaps, the requirements for handling the “forty-five armor-piercing shell” are applicable to all armor-piercing shells, both ours and German ones.

Ammunition for 37mm German anti-tank guns

They are found as often as domestic 45 mm armor-piercing shells and pose no less danger. They were used for firing from a 3.7 cm Pak anti-tank gun and are colloquially called “Pak” shells. The projectile is an armor-piercing tracer 3.7 cm Pzgr. In the bottom part it has a chamber with an explosive charge (heating element) and a bottom fuse Bd.Z.(5103*)d. inertial action with gas-dynamic deceleration. Shells with this fuse often did not fire when they hit soft ground, but the fired shells were extremely dangerous to handle. In addition to the armor-piercing projectile, the ammunition load of the 37 mm anti-tank gun included fragmentation tracer projectiles with an AZ 39 head fuse. These projectiles are also very dangerous - the directive of the GAU of the Red Army prohibits the firing of such projectiles from captured guns. Similar fragmentation tracer shells were used for 37 mm anti-aircraft guns (3.7 cm Flak.) - “Flak” shells.

Mortar shots

The most common calibers found at battlefields are mortar mines: 50 mm (USSR and Germany), 81.4 mm (Germany), 82 mm (USSR), 120 mm (USSR and Germany). Occasionally there are 160 mm (USSR and Germany), 37 mm, 47 mm. When removing from the ground, the same safety precautions must be followed as with artillery shells. Avoid impacts and sudden movements along the axis of the mine.

Most dangerous all types of mines that have passed through the bore (a distinctive feature is the pinned primer of the main propellant charge). The German 81.4 mm model 1942 jumping mine is extremely dangerous. It can explode even when trying to remove it from the ground. Distinctive features - the body, unlike ordinary fragmentation mines, is brick red, painted gray, sometimes there is a black (70 mm) stripe across the body, the head of the mine above the sealing belts is removable, with 3 fixing screws.

Soviet 82 and 50 mm mines with an M-1 fuse are very dangerous, even if they have not gone through the barrel, for some reason they find themselves in a combat platoon. Distinctive feature- under the cap there is an aluminum cylinder. If a red stripe is visible on it - mine on alert!

We present the tactical and technical characteristics of some mortars and ammunition for them.

1. The 50 mm mortar was in service with the Red Army in the initial period of the war. Six-finned mines with a solid and split body and four-finned mines were used. The following fuses were used: M-1, MP-K, M-50 (39).

2. 82 mm battalion mortar model 1937, 1941, 1943. The radius of continuous destruction by fragments is 12 m.
Mine designations: 0-832 - six-feather fragmentation mine; 0-832D - ten-feather fragmentation mine; D832 - ten-feather smoke mine. The weight of the mine is about 3.1-3.3 kg, the explosive charge is 400 g. M1, M4, MP-82 fuses were used. There was a propaganda mine in service, but not included in the ammunition load. Mines were delivered to the troops in boxes of 10 pieces.

3. 107 mm mountain-pack regimental mortar. It was armed with high-explosive fragmentation mines.

4. 120 mm regimental mortar of the 1938 and 1943 model. High-explosive cast iron mine OF-843A. Fuzes GVM, GVMZ, GVMZ-1, M-4. The weight of the bursting charge is 1.58 kg.

Smoke cast iron mine D-843A. The fuses are the same. Contains explosives and smoke-forming substances. It differs by the index and by the black ring stripe on the body under the centering thickening.

Incendiary cast iron mine TRZ-843A. Fuzes M-1, M-4. Mine weight - 17.2 kg. Differs in index and red ring stripe.

German mine 12 cm.Wgr.42. Fuse WgrZ38Stb WgrZ38C, AZ-41. Weight - 16.8 kg. Very similar to the domestic one. The difference is that the head part is sharper. On the head of the mine are marked: place and date of equipment, equipment code, weight category, place and date of final equipment. The AZ-41 fuse was set to instantaneous "O.V." and slow "m.V."

Concrete-piercing projectile- a type of projectile with a high-explosive and impact effect, used to hit targets from guns large caliber, the targets consist of reinforced concrete structures and structures of a long-term construction method; it is also possible to use them to destroy armored targets.

The action produced by the projectile is to pierce or penetrate a solid reinforced concrete barrier to cause its destruction using the force of gases produced by the explosion of the explosive charge. This type of projectile must have powerful impact and high-explosive properties, high accuracy, and good range.

High explosive shell. The name comes from the French word brisant - “crushing”. It is a fragmentation or high-explosive fragmentation projectile, which contains a remote fuse, used as a projectile fuse in the air at a given height.

High explosive shells were filled with melinite, an explosive created by the French engineer Turnin; melinite was patented by the developer in 1877.

Armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile- an impact projectile with an active part called a core, the diameter of which differs from the caliber of the gun by three times. It has the property of penetrating armor that is several times greater than the caliber of the projectile itself.

Armor-piercing high-explosive projectile- a high-explosive projectile, used to destroy armored targets, it is characterized by an explosion with armor spalling from the rear side, which hits an armored object, causing damaging power to the equipment and crew.

Armor-piercing projectile- a percussion projectile, used to hit armored targets from small and medium caliber guns. The first such projectile was made of hardened cast iron, created according to the method of D.K. Chernov, and equipped with special tips made of viscous steel by S.O. Makarov. Over time, they switched to making such shells from puddling steel.

In 1897, a shell from a 152-mm cannon penetrated a slab 254 mm thick. At the end of the 19th century. armor-piercing shells with Makarov tips were put into service with the armies of all European countries. Initially, they were made solid, then explosives and a bursting charge were placed in armor-piercing shells. Armor-piercing caliber shells, when exploded, create punctures, breaks, knocking out plugs from the armor, shifts, tears of armor plates, jamming of hatches and turrets.

Behind the armor, shells and armor produce a damaging effect with fragments, which also creates detonation of ammunition, fuels and lubricants located at the target or at a close distance from it.

Smoke shells designed to set up smoke screens and as a means of indicating the location of the target.

Incendiary projectile. Used to create lesions from medium-caliber guns in order to destroy manpower and military equipment, such as tractors and cars. During military operations, armor-piercing incendiary-tracer shells were widely used.

Caliber projectile has a diameter of centering bulges or body that corresponds to the caliber of the gun.

Cluster shell. The name comes from the French cassette, which translates as “box”; is a thin-walled projectile filled with mines or other combat elements.

HEAT projectile- a projectile with the characteristics of a main purpose projectile, with a charge of cumulative action.

A cumulative projectile penetrates armor with the directed action of the explosion energy of the explosive charge and produces a damaging effect behind the armor.

The effect of such a charge is as follows. When the projectile hits the armor, the instantaneous fuse is triggered; the explosive impulse is transmitted from the fuse using a central tube to the detonator capsule and the detonator installed in the bottom of the shaped charge. The explosion of the detonator leads to the detonation of the explosive charge, the movement of which is directed from the bottom to the cumulative recess, along with this the destruction of the head of the projectile is created. The base of the cumulative recess approaches the armor; when a sharp compression occurs with the help of a recess in the explosive, a thin cumulative jet is formed from the lining material, in which 10-20% of the lining metal is collected. The rest of the cladding metal, compressed, forms a pestle. The jet trajectory is directed along the axis of the recess, due to the very high speed compression, the metal is heated to a temperature of 200-600 ° C, retaining all the properties of the lining metal.

When an obstacle meets a jet moving with a speed at the top of 10-15 m/s, the jet generates high pressure - up to 2,000,000 kg/cm2, thereby destroying the head of the cumulative jet, destroying the armor of the obstacle and squeezing the metal of the armor to the side and outward , when subsequent particles penetrate the armor, penetration of the barrier is ensured.

Behind the armor, the damaging effect is accompanied by the general effect of the cumulative jet, metal elements of the armor, and detonation products of the explosive charge. The properties of a cumulative projectile depend on the explosive, its quality and quantity, the shape of the cumulative recess, and the material of its lining. They are used to destroy armored targets from medium-caliber guns, capable of penetrating an armored target 2-4 times larger than the caliber of the gun. Rotating cumulative projectiles penetrate armor up to 2 calibers, non-rotating cumulative projectiles - up to 4 calibers.

HEAT shells first supplied with ammunition for regimental 76-mm caliber guns of the 1927 model, then for guns of the 1943 model, also by them in the 1930s. equipped with 122-mm howitzers. In 1940, the world's first multi-charged rocket launcher M-132 multiple rocket launcher, used in cumulative projectiles. M-132 was accepted into service as BM-13-16, with 16 on guide mounts. rockets caliber 132 mm.

Cumulative fragmentation, or multi-purpose projectile. Refers to artillery shells that produce fragmentation and cumulative effects, used to destroy manpower and armored obstacles.

Lighting projectile. These projectiles are used to illuminate the expected location of the target being hit, to illuminate the enemy's terrain in order to observe his activities, to carry out sighting and track the results of shooting to kill, to blind the enemy's observation posts.

High-explosive fragmentation projectile. Refers to projectiles of the main type used to destroy enemy personnel, military equipment, field defensive structures, as well as to create passages in minefields and barrier structures, from medium-caliber guns. The installed type of fuse determines the action of the projectile. A contact fuse is installed for high-explosive action when destroying light field structures, a fragmentation fuse is installed to destroy manpower, for the slow production of destructive force on buried field structures.

The inclusion of a diverse type of action reduced its qualitative characteristics in comparison with projectiles of only clearly directed action, only fragmentation and only high-explosive.

Fragmentation projectile- a projectile used as damaging factor manpower, unarmored and lightly armored military equipment, the damaging effect is caused by fragments produced during the explosion, formed when the grenade shell ruptures.

Sub-caliber projectile. A characteristic feature of such a projectile is the diameter of the active part, which is smaller than the caliber of the weapon intended for it.
The difference between the mass of a sub-caliber projectile and a caliber one, when considering the same caliber, made it possible to obtain high initial velocities of a sub-caliber projectile. Introduced into the ammunition load for 45-mm guns in 1942, and in 1943 for 57-mm and 76-mm guns. Initial speed sub-caliber projectile for a 57-mm cannon was 1270 m/s, which was a record speed for projectiles of that time. To increase the power of anti-tank fire, an 85-mm sub-caliber projectile was developed in 1944.

This type of projectile acts by piercing armor, as a result of the core coming out of the armor; with a sudden release of tension, the core is destroyed into fragments. Behind the armor, the damaging effect is created by fragments from the core and armor.
Over-caliber projectile - a projectile in which the diameter of the active part is created
Dan larger size, rather than the caliber of the weapon used, this ratio increases the power of this ammunition.

Explosive projectiles. They were divided, relative to their weight category, into bombs, which were projectiles weighing more than 16.38 kg, and grenades, which were projectiles weighing less than 16.38 kg. These types of projectiles were developed to equip howitzers with ammunition. Explosive shells were used to fire shots that hit openly located living targets and defense structures.

The result of the explosion of this projectile is fragments that fly into large quantities to the approximately intended radius of destructive action.

Explosive shells are perfect for use as a damaging factor for enemy guns. However, a defect in the projectile tubes resulted in the inoperability of a number of explosive projectiles, so it was noted that only four out of five projectiles exploded. For about three centuries, such shells dominated among the artillery shells in service with almost all armies of the world.

Missile equipped with a warhead and a propulsion system. In the 40s XX century, during the Second World War, various types of rockets were developed: the German troops put into service turbojet high-explosive fragmentation projectiles, Soviet troops ah jet and turbojet high-explosive fragmentation shells.

In 1940, the world's first multi-charge multiple rocket launcher, the M-132, was tested. It was put into service as the BM-13-16, with 16 132 mm caliber rockets mounted on the guide mounts, and a firing range of 8470 m. The BM-82-43 was also put into service, with 48 82 mm caliber rockets mounted on the guide mounts , firing range - 5500 m in 1942.

The developed powerful M-20 132-mm caliber rockets, the firing range of these projectiles is 5000 m, and the M-30 are being supplied into service. M-30 were projectiles with a very powerful high-explosive effect; they were used on special frame-type machines, into which four M-30 projectiles were installed in a special closure. In 1944, the BM-31-12 was put into service, 12 M-31 305-mm caliber rockets were installed on the guides, the firing range was determined to be 2800 m. The introduction of this weapon made it possible to solve the problem of maneuvering the fire of heavy rocket artillery units.

In the operation of this design, the salvo time was reduced from 1.5-2 hours to 10-15 minutes. M-13 UK and M-31 UK are rockets with improved accuracy, which had the ability to rotate in flight, achieving a firing range of up to 7900 and 4000 m, respectively, the density of fire in one salvo increased by 3 and 6 times.

Fire capabilities with a projectile of improved accuracy made it possible to replace a regimental or brigade salvo with the production of a salvo of one division. For the M-13 UK, the BM-13 rocket artillery combat vehicle, equipped with screw guides, was developed in 1944.

Guided projectile- a projectile equipped with flight controls, such projectiles are fired in the usual mode, during the passage of the flight path the projectiles react to energy that is reflected or emitted from the target, autonomous on-board devices begin to generate signals transmitted to the controls that make adjustments and direction trajectories to effectively hit a target. Used to destroy moving small-sized strategic targets.

High explosive projectile. Such a projectile is characterized by a powerful explosive charge, a contact fuse, head or bottom, with a high-explosive action setting, with one or two delays, a very strong body that perfectly penetrates the barrier. It is used as a damaging factor against hidden manpower and is capable of destroying non-concrete structures.

Shrapnel shells are used to destroy openly located enemy personnel and equipment with shrapnel and bullets.

Chemical and chemical fragmentation shells. This type of shell hit enemy personnel and contaminated areas and engineering structures.

Chemical artillery shells were first used by the German army on October 27, 1914 in the battles of the First World War, these shells were equipped with shrapnel mixed with an irritating powder.

In 1917, gas launchers were developed that fired mainly phosgene, liquid diphosgene, and chloropicrin; were a type of mortar that fired projectiles that included 9-28 kg of toxic substance.

In 1916, artillery weapons based on toxic substances were actively created; it was noted that on June 22, 1916, for seven hours, artillery German army fired 125,000 shells, total number asphyxiating toxic substances in them amounted to 100,000 liters.

Projectile duration. The amount of time elapsed, calculated from the moment the projectile collides with an obstacle until it explodes.

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Artillery ammunition – component artillery systems, designed to destroy manpower and equipment, destroy structures (fortifications) and perform special tasks (lighting, smoke, delivery of propaganda material, etc.). These include artillery rounds, mortar rounds, and ground-based MLRS rockets. According to the nature of the equipment, artillery ammunition with conventional explosives, chemical and biological (bacteriological) are distinguished. By purpose: main (for damage and destruction), special (for lighting, smoke, radio interference, etc.) and auxiliary (for personnel training, testing, etc.).

Artillery shot- ammunition for firing from an artillery gun. It was a set of elements for one shot: a projectile with a fuse, a propellant charge in a cartridge case or cap, a means of igniting the charge and auxiliary elements(phlegmatizers, copper reducers, flame arresters, wads, etc.).

According to their intended purpose, artillery rounds are divided into combat (for combat shooting; they make up the ammunition loads of guns), blanks (for sound imitation; instead of a projectile, a wad or a reinforced cap; a special charge), practical (for training gun crews to fire; a projectile of inert ammunition; the fuse is blanked) , educational (for studying the device and teaching techniques for handling ammunition, loading and shooting; shot elements - inert equipment or mock-ups) and system testing (for testing artillery guns).

An artillery shot is said to be complete when it has all the elements but not assembled, and ready when it is assembled. A ready-made artillery shot can be fully or incompletely equipped (with a screwed-in or unscrewed fuse, respectively).

According to the loading method, they are distinguished:

Artillery shot cap loading– the projectile, the propellant charge in the charging case (a shell made of dense fabric to accommodate the propellant charges of artillery and mortar rounds) and the ignition means are not connected to each other; used in large-caliber guns, loaded in three stages (by element). The use of caps became widespread from the first half of the 17th century, which significantly reduced the time required for loading. Before this, gunpowder was poured into the gun barrel by hand.

Artillery shot separate-case loading– the cartridge case with the projectile and the igniter are not connected to the projectile; used mainly in medium-caliber guns, loaded in two steps. Created in 1870–1871 by the Frenchman Reffi.

Artillery shot unitary loading– the projectile, propellant charge and means of ignition are combined into one whole; used in all automatic and semi-automatic guns, as well as in some non-automatic guns of various types of artillery, loaded in one step. A unitary caliber artillery shot is sometimes called an artillery cartridge.

One of the main components of an artillery shot was projectile- a means of destroying enemy personnel, materiel and fortifications, fired from an artillery gun. Most types of projectiles were an axisymmetric metal body with a flat bottom, on which powder gases formed during the combustion of the propellant charge were pressed. This body can be solid or hollow, streamlined or arrow-shaped, and carry a payload or not. All these factors, together with the internal structure, determined the purpose of the projectile. The classification of shells was carried out according to the following signs. According to their intended purpose, the projectiles were divided into:

- armor-piercing shells designed to combat enemy armored vehicles. According to their design, they were divided into caliber, sub-caliber with a permanent or detachable tray, and swept-finned projectiles.

— concrete-piercing shells designed to destroy reinforced concrete long-term fortifications.

- high-explosive shells designed to destroy field and long-term fortifications, wire fences, and buildings.

- cumulative projectiles designed to destroy armored vehicles and garrisons of long-term fortifications by creating a narrowly directed stream of explosion products with high penetrating ability.

— fragmentation shells, designed to destroy enemy personnel with fragments formed when a projectile explodes. The rupture occurs upon impact with an obstacle or remotely in the air.

— buckshot — ammunition designed to destroy openly located enemy personnel in self-defense of the weapon. It consists of bullets placed in a highly combustible frame, which, when fired, scatter in a certain sector from the gun barrel.

- shrapnel - ammunition designed to destroy openly located enemy personnel with bullets located inside its body. The hull ruptures and bullets are thrown out of it in flight.

- chemical shells containing a potent toxic substance to destroy enemy personnel. Some types of chemical projectiles may contain chemical element non-lethal action, depriving enemy soldiers of combat capability (tear-producing, psychotropic, etc. substances).

- biological projectiles containing a potent biological toxin or a culture of infectious microorganisms. They were intended to destroy or non-lethally incapacitate enemy personnel.

- incendiary projectiles containing a recipe for igniting flammable materials and objects, such as city buildings, fuel depots, etc.

- smoke projectiles containing a formulation for producing smoke in large quantities. They were used to create smoke screens and blind enemy command and observation posts.

— lighting projectiles containing a formulation for creating a long-lasting and brightly burning flame. Used to illuminate the battlefield at night. Typically equipped with a parachute longer duration lighting.

- tracer shells that leave behind a bright trail during their flight, visible to the naked eye.

- propaganda shells containing leaflets inside for agitation of enemy soldiers or dissemination of propaganda among the civilian population in front-line settlements of the enemy.

— training shells intended for training personnel of artillery units. They can be either a dummy or a weight-and-dimensional mock-up, unsuitable for firing, or ammunition suitable for target practice.

Some of these classification characteristics may overlap. For example, high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing tracer shells, etc. are widely known.

The projectile consisted of a body, ammunition (or tracer) and a fuse. Some shells had a stabilizer. The body or core of the projectile was made of alloy steel, or steel cast iron, tungsten, etc. It consisted of a head, cylindrical and belt parts. The projectile body had a sharp-headed or blunt-headed shape. For proper guidance of the projectile along the bore when fired, there is a centering thickening (one or two) on its cylindrical part and a leading belt (made of copper, bimetal, iron-ceramic, nylon) pressed into the groove, which ensures the prevention of breakthrough of powder gases and rotational movement of the projectile when fired. necessary for its stable flight on the trajectory. To detonate a projectile, an impact, non-contact, remote or combined fuse was used. The length of the shells usually ranged from 2.3 to 5.6 calibers.

By caliber, shells are divided into small (20-70 mm), medium (70-155 mm in ground artillery and up to 100 mm in anti-aircraft artillery) and large (over 155 mm in ground and over 100 mm in anti-aircraft artillery) calibers. The power of a projectile depends on the type and mass of its charge and is determined by the filling coefficient of the projectile (the ratio of the mass of the explosive charge to the mass of the finally loaded projectile), which for high-explosive projectiles is up to 25%, high-explosive fragmentation and cumulative up to 15%, armor-piercing up to 2.5 %. For fragmentation shells, power is also determined by the number of lethal fragments and the radius of the affected area. Projectiles are characterized by range (height), accuracy of fire, safety during handling and durability (during storage).

Mortar shot– ammunition for firing mortars. It consists of a mine, main (ignition) and additional (propellant) powder charges with ignition means. According to their intended purpose, mortar rounds are divided similarly to artillery rounds. Mines are either feathered (most) or rotating. The final loaded finned mine includes a steel or cast iron body, equipment, fuze, stabilizer or tail that deploys after the mine leaves the bore. Rotary mines usually have ridges on the drive flange that engage the rifling of the barrel when loaded. To increase the firing range, active-reactive mines with a jet engine are used. The length of the mines was usually up to 8 calibers.

Missiles are described in the chapter “Missiles and Missile Weapons”.

During the war years, the USSR produced about 7.5 million tons of ammunition, incl. artillery rounds of field and naval artillery - 333.3 million pieces, mortar shells - 257.8 million (of which 50 mm - 41.6 million pieces, 82 mm - 126.6 million pieces), shells MLRS - 14.5 million. In addition, 2.3 million tons. artillery ammunition was at the disposal of Soviet troops at the beginning of the war.

In 1941-1942. Germany captured about 1 million tons of USSR ammunition, incl. 0.6 million tons of artillery.

It should be noted that during the war, Germany spent approximately 1.5 times (and at the beginning of the war 2 times) less artillery ammunition compared to the USSR, since German artillery fired at targets, and the USSR fired at areas. So on the Eastern Front, German troops spent 5.6 million tons. ammunition, against 8 million tons. Soviet troops.

In Germany, about 9 million tons were produced during the war years. ammunition of all types.

During the war years in the USA, 11 million tons of artillery ammunition and 1.2 million tons were produced. reactive. Including 55 million shells for howitzers, anti-tank and field artillery.

Below are the most common artillery ammunition by caliber and country.