The Art of Ammunition: Exploring the Inner Workings of Towed Artillery

TLDRDiscover the intriguing components and functioning of towed artillery ammunition, including projectiles, cartridge cases, and propelling charges. Gain insights into the ignition process, the role of propellant grains, and the importance of a sealed powder chamber. Explore the impact of rotating bands, rifling, and the design of projectiles for optimal performance. Learn about different types of projectiles, including high explosive, smoke, illuminating, and incendiary. Understand the function of fuzes, such as impact, proximity, and time fuzes, and their role in controlling detonation.

Key insights

⚡️The ignition process of towed artillery ammunition involves a primer igniting the propelling charge, in turn igniting the projectile.

🔥Propelling charges consist of clothed propellant grains, which provide explosive power to drive the projectile.

💣High explosive projectiles, the most common type, contain TNT explosive and cause significant damage to targets.

🌬️Smoke projectiles, including white phosphorus smoke bombs, create dense smoke clouds for tactical purposes.

💡Illuminating projectiles incorporate luminary devices to provide visibility in low-light or night-time warfare.

Q&A

What are the key components of towed artillery ammunition?

—Towed artillery ammunition consists of projectiles, cartridge cases, propelling charges, fuzes, and rotating bands.

How does the ignition process work?

—The ignition process involves the primer igniting the propelling charge, which in turn ignites the projectile.

What are the different types of projectiles used in towed artillery?

—Towed artillery utilizes various projectiles, including high explosive, smoke, illuminating, and incendiary.

What are fuzes and what is their role?

—Fuzes are devices that control detonation. They include impact, proximity, and time fuzes.

How do rotating bands and rifling affect the performance of projectiles?

—Rotating bands provide stability and rifling causes spin, minimizing disturbances and ensuring accurate trajectory.

Timestamped Summary

00:01The ammunition of towed artillery consists of projectiles and cartridge cases.

00:20The primer ignites the propelling charge when the lanyard is pulled.

00:29The explosion force of the propelling charge drives the projectile.

01:02To reduce weight burden, the projectile and propelling charge are operated separately.

03:04Different types of projectiles, including high explosive, illuminating, and smoke, are utilized.

04:26Smoke projectiles, such as white phosphorous bombs, generate dense smoke clouds.

06:47Different fuze types, including impact, proximity, and time fuzes, control detonation.

09:15The optimal operating height for projectiles is about 15m above the ground.

Browse more