Shell (projectile)

WWI shells

Shell (projectile)

A shell is a payload-carrying projectile that, as opposed to a bullet, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot. Shells are typically large-caliber projectiles fired by artillery, combat vehicles, and warships. The term is often used to refer to a high-explosive shell, but historically, it has also been used for other types of shells, including armor-piercing, chemical, and incendiary shells.

History

The development of the shell can be traced back to the 15th century when early forms of explosive projectiles were used in cannons. These early shells were made of hollowed-out iron filled with gunpowder and ignited by a fuse. The modern shell evolved significantly during the 19th and 20th centuries, with advancements in explosives, metallurgy, and aerodynamics.

Types of Shells

Shells can be classified into several types based on their design and intended use:

• High-explosive shell: Contains a large amount of explosive material designed to cause maximum damage through blast and fragmentation.
• Armor-piercing shell: Designed to penetrate armor plating before exploding.
• Chemical shell: Filled with chemical agents such as mustard gas or sarin.
• Incendiary shell: Contains materials that ignite upon impact, causing fires.
• Shrapnel shell: Designed to release a large number of small projectiles upon detonation.

Components

A typical shell consists of several key components:

• Casing: The outer shell, usually made of metal, which holds all other components.
• Fuze: A device that initiates the explosive charge. Fuzes can be impact, time, or proximity based.
• Explosive charge: The main explosive material within the shell.
• Driving band: A soft metal band around the shell that engages the rifling of the gun barrel to impart spin for stability.

Usage

Shells are used in various military applications, including:

• Field artillery: Used to support ground troops by targeting enemy positions.
• Naval artillery: Fired from warships to engage other ships or shore targets.
• Tanks: Used in tank guns to engage armored vehicles and fortifications.

Related Pages

• Artillery
• Bullet
• Explosive
• Gunpowder
• Cannon
• Armor-piercing shell
• High-explosive shell
• Chemical shell
• Incendiary shell
• Shrapnel shell