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Reported Location (48)

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Classification groups of key explosive munitions used in conflicts

Munition Category (8)

Relatively small projectiles typically fired from artillery guns
Artillery Gun Projectile
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The impact or effect the munition is intended to have

Functional use (10)

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Tentative Model (366)

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Research Organisation (6)

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Base Colour (12)

Colour of all, or some, of the markings on the munition

Marking Colour (11)

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Marking Script (9)

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Where the munition is launched from and what it targets

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Fins Characteristic (5)

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.

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Artillery Gun Projectile
Indirect-fire projectiles that typically have a cylindrical shape and conical (ogival) nose, generally fired from artillery guns. Most artillery gun projectiles are unguided and range from 35 to 87 centimetres in length. With a typical range of between 30 and 40 kilometres, artillery guns are deemed medium-range munition.
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OSMP1851
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine 3OF39 Krasnopol
Analyst Note:
The 3OF39 Krasnopol is a laser-guided, rocket-assisted 152 mm tank gun projectile carrying a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead. The round is built and shipped with a cover over the optical sensor. This protective cover is fitted with a T-90 mechanical time delay fuze. Once fired, the T-90 fuze will initiate after a pre-selected time and will jettison the protective cover, exposing the optical sensor in the nose. The internal impact fuze, which can be set for immediate or delayed initiation, is then responsible for detonating the projectile. (ARES)
17 April 2025

Gazans survive among unexploded bombs

Collection

Як визначити чи був випущений артилерійський снаряд

Якщо артилерійський снаряд виглядає ніби не спрацював, то іноді буває складно визначити з першого погляду, чи він був випущений і не спрацював, чи взагалі не був випущений. Загалом, фахівці з боєприпасів шукають такі три характеристики для визначення:

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Collection

Ізраїль і Газа 2023 – 2026

7 жовтня 2023 року бойовики ХАМАС прорвали міцно укріплений кордон між Ізраїлем і Сектором Газа, атакувавши численні міста і села. За повідомленнями, в Ізраїлі загинуло понад 1000 осіб, а понад 250 було взято в заручники і перевезено до Гази

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OSMP1792
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine OF56-1 OF56
Analyst Note:
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)
OSMP1828
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
Analyst Note:
This image shows a North Korean 170 mm artillery projectile, as fired by the M-1978 Koksan self-propelled artillery gun. Very little is known of the M-1978 Koksan due to the secretive nature of North Korean arms development, but both high explosive and rocket-assisted high explosive projectiles are believed to be available. The designations ‘M-1978’ and ‘Koksan’ were applied by American military analysts identified the system in Koksan, North Korea, in 1978. (ARES)
OSMP1683
Artillery Gun Projectile Cambodia NR269
Analyst Note:
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)
OSMP1686
Artillery Gun Projectile Cambodia ERFB
Analyst Note:
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)
OSMP1794
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
2 Analyst Notes:
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)
OSMP878
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
2 Analyst Notes:
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)
OSMP1410
Artillery Gun Projectile Syria
Analyst Note:
This image shows a conventional 122 mm high explosive artillery projectile that has been modified to carry a chemical payload. It is one of several used in an attack by the so-called ‘Islamic State’ on the town of Marea, Syria. The black substance on the ground is suggestive of low-purity sulphur mustard, a chemical warfare agent. (ARES)
OSMP898
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine M712 Copperhead
Analyst Note:
The M712 ‘Copperhead’ is a laser-guided 155 mm artillery gun projectile carrying a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead designed to engage armoured vehicles. The Copperhead was developed in the United States in the 1970s, and saw limited use during Operation Desert Storm. The M712 is is pictured here inside its shipping container, and the slots for the enclosed, deployable (‘pop-out’) wings and fins are visible. The M712 has two operational modes: a ballistic mode that follows a gun’s ballistic trajectory like a traditional artillery projectile, and a glide mode, which follows a longer and flatter trajectory. The preferred mode is set by the artillery crew before firing. (ARES)
OSMP885
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
Analyst Note:
This image shows two Iranian 130 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectiles. Calibre (“130MM”) and functional type (“HE - TNT”) markings are visible on the right-hand example, whilst a lot marking (“LOT:10/202[…]”) is partially obscured. The “TNT” marking indicates that this munition uses a trinitrotoluene composition as its explosive fill. (ARES)
OSMP884
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
Analyst Note:
This image shows an Iranian 122 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectile. Like several other munitions, it is described in Iranian sources—and, in this case, on the munition itself—only by reference to the weapon with which it is most often associated: the Soviet-designed 122 mm D-30 howitzer (often rendered ‘D30’, without the hyphen, in Iranian service). This munition is also marked to indicate it was produced in 2023. Interpreting munitions markings in this way, especially where they indicate recent manufacture, may provide evidence of ongoing supply during a conflict. (ARES)
OSMP879
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
Analyst Note:
The munition indicated in this image as a 152 mm high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectile manufactured in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). (ARES)
OSMP864
Artillery Gun Projectile Palestinian Territories
Analyst Note:
This image shows what is probably just the body of an Israeli 155 mm smoke artillery projectile. Israel predominantly uses two varieties of 155 mm smoke munition: the M825 white phosphorous (WP) series of munitions, and the M150 hexachloroethane/zinc mixture (HC) munition. These munitions are externally near-identical, save for their markings. In this case, the markings are insufficient to determine whether the image shows an M825-series WP munition or an M150 HC munition. (ARES)
OSMP815
Artillery Gun Projectile Israel M107
Analyst Note:
This M107 high explosive (HE) artillery gun projectile is fitted with an RT180 multi-function fuze. The RT180 can be set to operate in point-detonating or proximity modes. The factory setting for the proximity fuze detonates the warheads an average of 9 metres above the target. (ARES)
OSMP716
Artillery Gun Projectile Israel M485 series
Analyst Note:
These M485 series 155 mm artillery gun projectiles are painted yellow to indicate their functional type: illumination rounds. The M485 series of illumination projectiles are base-eject munitions that expel a parachute-retarded illuminant canister which casts light over the battlefield as it descends. (ARES)
OSMP548
Artillery Gun Projectile Lebanon M825 series
Analyst Note:
In this image, part of the distinctive internal 'X-rib' arrangement is visible protruding from the base of an M825-series white phosphorus smoke projectile. This is a useful diagnostic feature that can be used to distinguish remnants of these munitions from those of similar projectiles (such as those using a hexachloroethane/zinc smoke composition) if markings are not visible (ARES)
OSMP647
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine DM 105
Analyst Note:
The remnants shown in these linked images have been falsely identified in Russian sources as chemical munitions. This image clearly exhibits the marking “NBK DM 1216”—the ‘NBK’ standing for the German Nebelkörper (‘smoke element’)—identifying this as one of four DM 1216 hexachloroethane/zinc (HC) smoke elements dispensed by the German DM 105 155 mm artillery gun projectile. Video of the incident shows all four elements being ejected from the base of the projectile in flight. (ARES)
OSMP507
Artillery Gun Projectile M485 series
Analyst Note:
Israeli illumination munitions—often finished in a distinctive yellow—are sometimes mistaken for high explosive munitions by observers more familiar with the NATO or U.S. marking systems. This image shows an M485-pattern illumination projectile, a base-eject type that uses a parachute-retarded canister containing a powerful candle to illuminate the battlefield.
OSMP579
Artillery Gun Projectile M825A1
Analyst Note:
The M825A1 155 mm smoke projectile makes use of white phosphorus (WP) to generate a brilliant white smoke. Whilst WP does have incendiary effects, the method of dispersal in the case of the M825A1 is optimised for screening and marking purposes. (ARES)
OSMP513
Artillery Gun Projectile Palestinian Territories M150
Analyst Note:
Some artillery projectiles, such as this M150 type, use a hexachloroethane-based composition (HC) to generate smoke for screening or marking purposes. In many armed forces, HC smoke munitions have partially replaced those relying on white phosphorus for similar effects. (ARES)

Collection

How to tell if an artillery projectile has been fired

If an artillery gun projectile appears unfunctioned, it can sometimes be challenging to tell on first glance whether it has been fired and failed to function, or has not been fired at all. In general, munitions specialists look for the following three characteristics in making this determination: Engraved driving bands, where the soft material (typically […]

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Collection

Israel and Gaza 2023 – 2026

On 7 October 2023, Hamas militants breached the heavily-fortified border separating Israel and the Gaza Strip, attacking numerous towns and villages. More than 1,000 people in Israel were reported killed, with more than 250 taken hostage and moved to Gaza. In response, Israel has launched one of its largest military operations of recent decades, seeking […]

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OSMP335
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine M982 Excalibur
Analyst Note:
Once fired, four canards will deploy from the forward (ogival) section of these M982 Excalibur guided artillery projectiles. The narrow-shaped ports through which the canards deploy are a good indicator of a guided or extended-range artillery projectile. (ARES)
OSMP338
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine M982 Excalibur
Analyst Note:
Many guided (or otherwise complex) munitions like this one are marked with additional information on individual assemblies or components. This can include information on sub-contractors that produced or integrated specific parts of a munition. (ARES)
OSMP339
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine M982 Excalibur
Analyst Note:
In this image, a Ukrainian soldier is using an M1155 Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setter (EPIAFS) to input the target coordinates and set functioning parameters for an M982 Excalibur guided artillery projectile. (ARES)
OSMP439
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine
Analyst Note:
The large fragments in this image are typical of 'natural' fragmentation resulting from the rupturing of a thick-walled munition (in this case, an artillery projectile) by the functioning of its explosive payload. (ARES)
OSMP277
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine A1Zh
Analyst Note:
This artillery projectile is a non-lethal type designed to carry propaganda leaflets. Externally, it strongly resembles other variants carrying lethal payloads, although this particular model has a distinctive all-red colour. The leaflets are expelled from the base of the munition by the action of a small explosive charge, after a set amount of time has elapsed after firing (determined by the fuze). (ARES)
OSMP276
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine A1Zh
Analyst Note:
Not all munitions have a lethal purpose. This is a type of ‘carrier’ or ‘cargo’ munition designed to carry and dispense a non-lethal payload—in this case, propaganda leaflets. (ARES)
OSMP220
Artillery Gun Projectile Ukraine OF-25T
Analyst Note:
This image depicts a Ukrainian-made version of the Soviet-era OF-25 152 mm artillery projectile, the designation of which is not publicly known at this time (May 2024). The yellow base colour was commonly found in batches produced by Ukroboronprom in late 2022. Later batches returned to a grey base colour. (ARES)