Colour of all, or some, of the markings on the munition
Marking Colour (11)
Language or script of the marking on a munition
Marking Script (10)
Condition of the munition pictured
Condition (6)
Key features defining the operation mechanisms of a projectile
Mechanical Feature (10)
Whether a munition is guided or unguided
Guidance (2)
Where the munition is launched from and what it targets
Domain (7)
The type of fins visible on the munition
Fins Characteristic (6)
The nominal diameter of a projectile. For most modern munitions, this is expressed in millimetres (e.g. 82 mm mortar projectile), but older artillery gun projectiles may be described in inches.
This image shows a one-way-attack (‘sacrificial’) UAV with the apparent warhead broken off. It is believed to have been attached to the grey mechanism located at the rear of the UAV, likely separating when the UAV was downed. (ARES)
This image shows a Mk 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), the second-stage rocket motor for the SM-2, SM-3 Blk I, and SM-6 missiles. Based on the strakes or fins attached to this Mk 104, it can be determined that it was part of an SM-3 Blk I series missile. (ARES)
This image shows the MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor of a U.S. RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Blk I interceptor missile. The SM-3 Blk I variants share the same propulsion sections, but have differences in the kill vehicle section. The SM-3 Blk II variants are substantially different, including new, larger-diameter propulsion sections. SM-3 missiles have a booster, dual-thrust rocket motor, third-stage rocket motor, and an altitude control section in the kill vehicle. (ARES)
Markings on the forward section of this small, air-delivered bomb suggest that the designation is ‘BK-3OF’ (“БК-3ОФ”). The physical features of the munition suggest that it is laser-guided and likely carries a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) payload. This image shows the only known example, which was allegedly captured by Russian forces in conjunction with a Ukrainian UAV. (ARES)
This Russian air-delivered cluster bomb is marked with a threatening message directed at the French people: «Français! Changer la politique du président dans le pays, sinon ces bombes vont changer le lieu d'atterrissage!» (“French people! Change the president’s policy in the country, otherwise these bombs will change their landing site!”). (ARES)
This sheet-metal body component is marked with a manufacturer’s CAGE Code (“MFR-59518”) which indicates it was produced by GlenDee Corp. of Moorpark, California, which does business as Metalagraphics, Inc. (MGI). (ARES)
Moog Inc.—headquartered in East Aurora, New York, as marked on this munitions remnant—describes itself as a “worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems”. Moog supplies actuator and control components to the prime contractor on the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) programme, Raytheon. (ARES)
This image shows a Hydra-70 rocket fitted with an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit, converting it into a guided missile. In this case, the missile features an M151 high explosive (HE) warhead fitted with either an M427 or M423 point-detonating (PD) fuze. The rocket motor model cannot be determined from this source alone, but it is most likely to be a MK 66-series motor. The launcher appears to be a LAND-LGR4 model produced by Arnold Defense. (ARES)
This image shows a ‘120mm TB’ air-delivered bomb that has been adapted from a 120 mm mortar projectile. It is claimed by the manufacturer that this thermobaric munition offers improved fragmentation and blast effects when compared with standard (high explosive) 120 mm mortar projectiles. The “with special FUZE” marking refers to the use of the UT M18 impact fuze. Note that this munition cannot be fired from a mortar, despite the munition body showing features consistent with this use (e.g., gas-check bands). Instead of a standard mortar projectile tailboom which would contain an ignition cartridge and be perforated by flash holes, this munition is fitted with a simplified, plastic tailfin assembly that is designed to stabilise the munition as it falls after being released by a UAV. (ARES)
The 9N314M warhead shown here can be used in both 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles. In this particular case, according to the source, it was taken from a 9M38M1 missile. (ARES)
Although the source claims that this image shows a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system, this imagery is not sufficient to determine whether the remnants highlighted are from a 9M38-or 9M317-series guided missile. (ARES)
The physical features of this munition indicate that it is most likely an Iranian 60 mm ‘high explosive, long-range’ (“H.E. L.R.”) mortar projectile fitted with an AZ111A2 impact fuze. However, positive identification cannot be made based on the source imagery. (ARES)
The munition depicted in this image is a type of aerodynamically optimised artillery projectile, in this case 155 mm in calibre, known as an ‘Extended Range Full-Bore (ERFB)’ design. This example is a cargo projectile fitted with a base-bleed (BB) base unit to further extend its range. This configuration is designated NR269, and reportedly contains 56 M46 dual-purpose (anti-personnel/anti-armour) submunitions. (ARES)
In this case, the tentative identification of this munition is possible based on an analysis of its silhouette, particularly the distinctive detachable warhead compartment that can be seen hanging from the base of the munition's body. In many cases, such an identification technique would not be possible to apply with confidence. (ARES)
This image shows the base of a 155 mm Extended Range Full-Bore (ERFB) projectile, fitted with either a base-bleed (BB) or a base-bleed, rocket-assisted (BB/RA) base unit. Although munitions of this type are capable of carrying submunitions and this image is associated with an incident about which claims of cluster munitions use have been made, there is not enough of the projectile visible in the source images to determine what type of payload was carried by this particular round. (ARES)
This munition remnant is marked with a manufacturer’s CAGE Code (“MFR-05DN8”) which indicates it was produced by Klune Industries. Klune Industries is a sub-contractor on the GMLRS contract. (ARES)
This munition remnant is marked with a manufacturer’s CAGE Code (“MFR-62313”) which indicates it was produced by Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is the primary contractor that makes GMLRS missiles. (ARES)
This image shows an M49-series 60 mm high explosive (HE) mortar projectile, or a copy thereof. Due to the state of the round the available imagery, the specific model or variant cannot be determined. The fuze is also not clearly visible. Most M49 mortar projectiles use an M525, M717, M935, or similar point-detonating (PD) fuze. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant from an American M30 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System(GMLRS) missile, which carries M77/M101 submunitions. The yellow diamond markings indicate a payload of explosive submunitions. (ARES)
Based on the tail-fin assembly design and relative size, the item pictured appears to be a 122 mm rocket. However, it is unclear if this image shows a Russian 9M22-series (‘Grad’) rocket, a Chinese Type 81 rocket, or a similar variant from a different country of origin. (ARES)
This images appears to show the remnants of a 122 mm rocket. It is unclear what the country of origin is, but it is most likely a 9M22-series or Type 81-series rocket. (ARES)
This image shows 122 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectiles manufactured in three different states, L–R: Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Whilst these examples are distinct from one another—particularly in coloration, as well as the presence or absence of paint over the driving band and bourrelet—this is not always the case, and a combination of physical features and markings should be assessed before identification is made. (ARES)
This image shows remnants of a Russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile. The remnant on the right is the rearmost tail section of the missile. (ARES)
