What makes artillery shells explode?

When the shell hit and stopped abruptly a sliding hammer would fly forward and hit a percussion cap containing the dried picric acid, which ignited and detonated the bursting charge. Contact fuses rely on inertia of the shell driving a detonator against a pin, or visa versa when the shell hits to explode the shell.

What explosive is used in artillery shells?

TNT
“Cost, performance and IM” were the deciding factors in the Army choosing IMX-101 to replace trinitrotoluene, called TNT for short, as the explosive material found in artillery shells, said Phil Samuels, a chemical engineer at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. “IM” or insensitive munitions, is the safety factor that was tested.

What are mortar bombs?

A mortar is an artillery weapon which fires explosive shells. The shells are known as (mortar) bombs. They are called an indirect fire weapon because the bomb drops onto the target from above, rather than being aimed straight at it. Soldiers firing a mortar do not need to be able to see their target.

How far will a 155 Howitzer shoot?

The howitzer is equipped with a 39-calibre barrel. The muzzle velocity (at Charge 8 super) is 827m/s. The maximum firing range is 24.7km with unassisted rounds and 30km with rocket-assisted rounds.

How is a mortar round armed?

A mortar is quite simple and easy to use. Most are muzzleloaders made up of a tube that a gunner drops a bomb into. When the bomb reaches the bottom of the tube it hits a firing pin. The mortar bomb’s weight is enough to set off the firing pin which ignites the round and fires it.

Will polyethylene plates stop steel core rounds?

By adding a ceramic face, polyethylene plates can be certified to Level IV and will stop steel core and tactical rifle rounds up to and including 166-grain .30 caliber M2 armor piercing.

What is the best type of wall construction for bulletproof walls?

He concluded that the best bullet resistant wall construction (versus cost) is poured concrete filling the cavity between 2″X4″ studs, using 1-1/8″ OSB (oriented strand board) fastened to both sides, followed by 5/8″ Gypsum.

What is the best material for bulletproof armor?

Unlike steel armor, ceramic prevents spalling, instead of absorbing the bullet into the armor, relying on the back face to stop the projectile. Polyethylene is the third – and lightest – option.

What kind of propellant do you use for 155mm howitzers?

This program also includes bag propellant for the 105 mm semifixed cartridges and a modular artillery charge system for 155 mm Howitzers. The Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) is a GPS guided, course correcting fuze for conventional 155mm High Explosive (HE) projectiles that improves effectiveness and efficiency of cannon artillery.