Large Caliber

155 mm series

The 155mm artillery series represents a significant category of heavy artillery and howitzers that are widely used by military forces around the world. This caliber of artillery is highly regarded for its effective range, firepower, and versatility, making it a cornerstone in modern artillery regiments. The 155mm designation refers to the diameter of the shell that these guns fire, which allows for a wide variety of munitions to be used, including high-explosive, smoke, illuminating, and precision-guided munitions.

Key Characteristics

• Range: 155mm artillery systems are capable of delivering fire support at considerable distances, often exceeding 20 kilometers with standard projectiles, and up to 40 kilometers or more with rocket-assisted or base bleed projectiles. Precision-guided munitions can further enhance their accuracy.
• Firepower: The large caliber allows for substantial explosive payloads, making 155mm shells particularly effective against fortifications, equipment, and personnel, as well as providing capabilities for counter-battery and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
• Versatility: These systems can fire a range of ammunition types, catering to different tactical needs such as breaching defenses, providing smoke screens, or illumination for night operations. Precision munitions enhance their capability to engage high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.

Examples of 155mm Artillery

1. Towed Howitzers:
   • M777 Howitzer: A lightweight, towed 155mm howitzer used by the United States and other countries, known for its mobility and accuracy. It can be airlifted by helicopters, allowing for rapid deployment.
   • FH-70: A towed 155mm howitzer developed by a consortium of NATO countries, combining range, accuracy, and firepower in a system designed for rapid deployment and high mobility.
2. Self-Propelled Howitzers:
   • PzH 2000: A German self-propelled 155mm howitzer, one of the most advanced in the world, known for its automation, rate of fire, and ability to perform multiple round simultaneous impact (MRSI) missions.
   • K9 Thunder: A South Korean self-propelled 155mm howitzer with exceptional range and mobility, designed for quick deployment and high-volume fire support.
3. Tracked and Wheeled Systems:
   • Many modern armies are adopting wheeled self-propelled howitzers for their strategic mobility, such as the French CAESAR system, offering a good balance between firepower, protection, and rapid strategic mobility.

Strategic Importance

The strategic importance of 155mm artillery systems lies in their ability to provide heavy fire support across a broad spectrum of conflict scenarios. They can effectively engage targets in open fields, urban warfare, and against fortified positions. The advent of precision-guided munitions has further amplified their strategic value, allowing for precise strikes against high-value targets while minimizing collateral damage.

Their versatility and power make 155mm artillery systems indispensable in modern combined arms warfare, providing a critical component of both offensive and defensive operations. The ongoing development and enhancement of these systems, including automation, mobility improvements, and the integration of advanced munitions, continue to ensure their place at the forefront of military capabilities.

Mortar Round

A mortar round is a type of ammunition used specifically with mortars, which are a class of indirect fire weapons that launch explosive projectiles in a high arc to target enemy forces, fortifications, and equipment. These rounds are known for their versatility and capability to provide effective fire support in a variety of tactical situations, especially where other direct fire weapons might not be effective due to terrain or range limitations. Here’s an overview of the characteristics, types, and strategic importance of mortar rounds in modern warfare.

Key Characteristics

• High Angle of Fire: Mortar rounds are designed to be fired at steep angles, allowing them to reach targets hidden behind obstacles or in trenches, making them particularly useful in rugged terrain or urban environments.
• Explosive Payload: They carry high-explosive warheads that can cause significant damage to structures, equipment, and personnel. The explosive force and shrapnel from these rounds are effective against infantry, lightly armored vehicles, and fortifications.
• Variety of Sizes: Mortars and their rounds come in various sizes, typically ranging from 60mm to 120mm, with each size offering a balance between range, explosive power, and mobility. Larger calibers provide longer range and greater destructive power but at the cost of increased weight and reduced mobility.

Types of Mortar Rounds

1. High-Explosive (HE): The most common type, designed to detonate on impact or after a short delay, causing blast and fragmentation damage.
2. Illumination: Used to light up an area at night or in low-visibility conditions, these rounds parachute a bright flare down over the battlefield, enabling troops to see enemy movements.
3. Smoke: These rounds create a smoke screen that can conceal troop movements or mark locations on the battlefield. Smoke can be either white (for concealment) or colored (for signaling).
4. Precision-Guided: A relatively new development, these rounds are equipped with guidance systems (GPS, laser, etc.) to improve accuracy, allowing for the engagement of specific targets with minimal collateral damage.

Strategic Importance

Mortar rounds are a crucial component of infantry and special forces units due to their ability to provide immediate indirect fire support. They are particularly valued for their rapid deployability, ease of operation, and the psychological impact of their high-explosive rounds. Mortar teams can set up, fire a number of rounds to support their unit, and relocate before the enemy can pinpoint their position, making them a persistent threat on the battlefield.

Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of military operations, from conventional warfare to counterinsurgency and peacekeeping missions. The development of precision-guided mortar rounds has further enhanced their strategic value, allowing forces to engage high-value targets with high accuracy, reducing the risk of collateral damage and enhancing mission effectiveness in complex operational environments.

In summary, mortar rounds play a vital role in modern warfare, offering a unique combination of firepower, flexibility, and psychological impact. They continue to evolve with advancements in munitions technology, maintaining their status as an indispensable tool for ground forces worldwide.

Propelling charges

Mortar rounds are a type of artillery ammunition used specifically with mortars, which are portable, typically muzzle-loading artillery pieces. These rounds are designed for high-angle fire to engage enemy forces, fortifications, and equipment in indirect fire support roles. Mortar rounds come in various sizes, with common calibers including 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm, reflecting the diameter of the round itself.

Key Characteristics

• High-Angle Trajectory: Mortar rounds are known for their steep trajectory, allowing them to bypass obstacles and terrain to hit targets hidden behind cover or within trenches.
• Types of Munitions: There are several types of mortar rounds, including high explosive (HE) for destroying equipment and fortifications, smoke rounds for concealment or signaling, illumination rounds for lighting up night operations, and even precision-guided munitions for specific target engagement.
• Portability: Mortars and their ammunition are designed to be lightweight and portable, allowing infantry units to carry them and set up quickly on the battlefield for immediate fire support.

Uses and Tactics

Mortar rounds are utilized in a variety of tactical situations, from providing suppressive fire that hinders enemy movement to destroying enemy fortifications. They are especially valuable in urban warfare, where their ability to hit targets within buildings or behind cover can be decisive. The versatility and rapid deployment of mortars make them a critical element in the combined arms approach, supporting infantry advances and defending strategic positions.

Propelling Charges: The Engine Behind Artillery

Propelling charges are the crucial components that launch artillery shells, including mortar rounds, out of their barrels. They consist of specially formulated explosive materials that, when ignited, rapidly generate gas to propel the projectile towards its target.

Key Characteristics

• Adjustable Charges: Many artillery and mortar systems use modular or adjustable propelling charges, allowing the gun crew to vary the range of the projectile. By adding or removing charge increments, the crew can control the velocity and hence the distance the shell will travel.
• Types of Propellants: The most common propellants are smokeless powders, which produce less smoke and residue compared to older gunpowder. These modern propellants improve visibility and reduce the need for barrel cleaning.
• Ignition Systems: Propelling charges can be ignited using various systems, including percussion caps, electrical ignitions, or combination systems, ensuring reliable firing in diverse conditions.

Strategic Importance

The development and refinement of propelling charges have significantly impacted artillery’s effectiveness and versatility. Advances in propellant chemistry and design have led to more powerful, efficient, and cleaner-burning charges, increasing the range, accuracy, and lethality of artillery fire. The ability to adjust charges for specific tactical needs further enhances the adaptability of artillery units to the ever-changing dynamics of the battlefield.

Both mortar rounds and propelling charges embody the ongoing evolution of military technology, each playing a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of ground forces. Their continuous development reflects a broader effort to achieve greater precision, power, and flexibility in artillery warfare.