Artillery shells critical to Ukraine war

Artillery rounds, particularly 155mm shells, have become critical to the Ukraine conflict, as Ukrainian and Russian forces wage an intense war of attrition


U.S. Army M777 155mm howitzer live fire exercise

Ukraine aid: U.S. says it has sent more than 160 howitzers and over 1.5 million shells. Other countries have also provided howitzers,  but Kyiv has asked for more


155MM HISTORY
 
World War I: Shell developed by French in response to trench warfare. 155mm gun becomes most common artillery piece used by Allies
  
World War II: U.S. military fields its own 155mm gun, dubbed M1
  
Postwar: NATO alliance adopts 155mm as its artillery standard
  
Korean War: Shell modified to contain submunitions, dispersed over wide area to destroy vehicles, equipment and personnel
  
Ukraine: Howitzers can strike targets up to 32km away. Ukrainian army using 6,000 to 8,000 shells per day, compared to estimated 40,000 rounds fired by Russia
    

155mm shell components
             
Fuse
Projectile steel body
High explosive charge
Shell weight 45kg
60cm (approx.)


Sources: AP, FAS, Reuters
Picture: Flickr
© GRAPHIC NEWS