155 mm caliber

155 mm (6.1 in) is a NATO-standard artillery caliber that is used in many field guns, howitzers, and gun-howitzers. It is defined in AOP-29 part 1 with reference to STANAG 4425.

Land warfare

The caliber originated in France after it was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. A French artillery committee met on 2 February 1874 to discuss new models for French fortress and siege artillery, among which there was a weapon in the 14–16 centimetres (5.5–6.3 in) caliber range (later it became known as the De Bange 155 mm cannon). After several meetings, on 16 April 1874 the committee settled on the 15.5 cm caliber (in the subsequent program-letter of the committee, dating from 21 April 1874, the caliber was for the first time expressed as 155 mm).

Since the early 21st century, most NATO armies have adopted 155 mm weapons as an all-purpose standard. They are seen as striking a good compromise between range and power, while using just a single caliber greatly simplifies the logistics burden. This has led to the obsolescence of larger caliber artillery weapons such as the 175 mm (6.9 in) and 203 mm (8 in). Some militaries retain the smaller 105 mm (4.1 in) weapons for their light weight and portability. Russian artillery and those of former Eastern Bloc countries tend to use the 122 mm (4.8 in), 130 mm (5.1 in) and 152 mm (6.0 in) artillery weapons in similar roles.

Since the end of WWII, 155 mm has not found any use among naval forces despite its ubiquity on land, with most NATO and aligned navies using 76 mm (3 in), 100 mm (3.9 in), 114 mm (4.5 in), or 127 mm (5 in) guns on modern warships. At one point the British Ministry of Defence studied "up-gunning" the Royal Navy's 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval guns to give increased firepower and a common caliber between the Royal Navy and the British Army. However, despite superficially appearing to be inferior based on a simple comparison of round diameters, when firing conventional ammunition the smaller, 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun is comparable to the standard 155 mm gun-howitzer of the British Army. The standard shell from a 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has the same, if not better, range. Only by using rocket-assisted projectiles (RAPs) can most 155 mm guns have comparable range to the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun and by doing so there is a reduction in the payload. This is because naval guns can be built much more strongly than land-based self-propelled gun-howitzers, and have much longer barrels in relation to caliber (for example the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has a barrel length of 55 calibers, while the standard AS-90 self-propelled gun has a barrel length of 39 calibers). This allows naval guns to fire heavier shells in comparison to shell diameter and to use larger propellant charges in relation to shell weight leading to greater projectile velocities. In addition, even without active cooling, the heavier naval gun barrels allow a faster sustained rate of fire than field guns, and this is exploited with an autoloading system with a capacity of several hundred rounds. The 155 mm is better than the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun for firing cannon-launched guided projectiles (CLGP) as the lower velocity of the 155 mm shell makes it much easier for the projectiles' internal electronic guidance systems to survive being fired.

While the US Navy's Advanced Gun System (AGS) also uses a 155 mm caliber, it is not compatible with NATO-standard 155 mm ammunition. However, only one type of ammunition was ever developed, and procurement was discontinued in 2016 due to its high cost, making the AGS unusable.[1]

155 mm guns
Firing NATO projectiles
Incompatible with NATO projectiles

155 mm naval guns

155 mm shells
Country of origin Name Service Notes
 Germany SMArt 155 2000-current A carrier shell with two anti‐armour and anti‐artillery sub-munitions. Maximum range of 22.5 km (14.0 mi) from a 39‐calibre howitzer and 27.5 km (17.1 mi) from a 52‐calibre howitzer.[2]
 Russia 2K25M Krasnopol-M 1990s-current The Krasnopol-M was a miniaturized version of the projectile, developed in the mid-1990s by Shipunov's team at the KBP Design Bureau taking advantage of new electronics technology acquired in the design of the 120 mm Kitolov-2 guided projectile (similar in construction and purpose; this is in essence a smaller model of the Krasnopol to be used with the 2S9 NONA 120 mm mortar and designated 3OF69 and a related projectile for 122 mm howitzers designated Kitolov-2M 3OF69M) was made with a shorter length to enable it to be used with autoloader-equipped self-propelled guns without having to be disassembled into two parts. It also comes in an alternate 155 millimetres (6.1 in) caliber to allow it to be used with NATO-standard 155 mm howitzers. Besides the reduced total length, the Krasnopol-M also has a different protective cap for the optical seeker.
 Russia /  China KM-1M Krasnopol-M2 KM-1M Krasnopol-M2, a further development based on Krasnopol-M, is a 155mm artillery projectile designed to engage armored targets. It uses a semi-active laser (SAL) guidance system in the terminal phase of its trajectory.[3][4]

Krasnopol-М2 GAP (Guided Artillery Projectiles) was developed to be used with artillery systems such as M109A1-6, G5/G6, FH77, M777, TRF1 among others,[5]including Chinese GP1 and GP6[6][7]

 South Africa M2005 Assegai Development Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile (V-LAP) HE projectile incorporating both base bleed and rocket-assistance for increased ranges. Maximum range of 45 km (28 mi) from a 39‐calibre barrel and 60 km (37 mi) from a 52‐calibre barrel, it is expected to achieve a maximum range of 70 km (43 mi) from the latter.[8]
 South Korea K307 HE BB 1980-current High explosive base bleed projectile developed to be fired from South Korean 155 mm howitzers. Maximum range of 40 km (25 mi) when fired from the K9 Thunder.[9]
 South Korea K310 BB/DP-ICM A base bleed dual-purpose improved conventional munition with a maximum range of 36 km (22 mi) when fired from the K9 Thunder.
 South Korea K315 HE-RAP Rocket-assisted projectile with a maximum range of 54 km (34 mi) when fired from the K9 Thunder.
 Sweden /  France 155 BONUS 2000-current A sensor fused submunition-carrying anti-tank projectile that consists of a carrier shell and two anti-armour submunitions. Maximum range is 27 km (17 mi) from a 39‐calibre howitzer and 35 km (22 mi) from a 52‐calibre gun.[10]
 United Kingdom L15 1986-current General purpose HE projectile used by the United Kingdom. Maximum range of 24.9 km (15.5 mi) from a 39‐calibre barrel and 30 km (19 mi) from a 52‐calibre barrel.[11]
 United States HVP Development The Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) is an experimental hypervelocity projectile with ranges as great as 94 km (58 mi).
 United States LRLAP 2010-2016 (limited) The Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) was an INS and GPS guided, rocket-assisted naval projectile with extended glide capability that was developed for use from the Advanced Gun System. Maximum range of 117 km (73 mi). Developed from 2000 and tested in the 2010s it was cancelled in 2016 due to excessive cost of projectiles.[12]
 United States M102 1910s-1940s HE projectile. Americanised version of the French Schneider 155 mm HE projectile for the Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider.[13]
 United States M107 1940s-current Standard HE projectile developed from the M102 for use in the 155 mm Howitzer M1. The projectile is one of the most widely used of all western artillery projectiles and is fired from a variety of 155 mm towed and self‐propelled howitzers. Largely replaced in US service by the M795.[13]
 United States M483A1 DPICM 1975-current M483A1 Dual‐Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) projectile is a dual-purpose anti-armour/anti-personnel projectile that consists of a carrier shell and 88 individual grenade submunitions. Introduced in 1975, it is used by a number of nations. From 2009 the US have been decommissioning their stockpile of rounds, reusing the bodies to make smoke, illumination and training projectiles.[14]
 United States M549 HERA 1970-current The M549 and M549A1 High-Explosive Rocket Assisted (HERA) shells are rocket-assisted projectiles designed to provide extended range over conventional shells. Maximum range of 30.1 km (18.7 mi) from a NATO-standard 39‐calibre howitzer. The M549A1 is one of two projectiles for which the M1156 PGK fuze has been developed.[15]
 United States M687 1987-1990 A binary sarin chemical weapons projectile. Service ended after the 1990 Chemical Weapons Accord.
 United States M692/M731 ADAM The M692 and M731 Area Denial Artillery Munition (ADAM) are anti-personnel mine scattering projectiles. They share the carrier shell of the M483A1 DPICM and instead carry 36 anti‐personnel mines. They are no longer produced or in service although it is assessed the US maintains stockpiles.[16]
 United States M712 Copperhead 1983-2010s A laser-guided HEAT projectile. Developed in the 1970s and early 1980s, it saw service with the United States and several allies from the mid-1980s. Production ceased in 1990 and as of 2015 only residual stocks remain. Maximum range was 16 km (9.9 mi) from a 39‐calibre howitzer.[17]
 United States M718/M741 RAAMS The M718 and M741 Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (RAAMS) are anti-tank mine scattering projectiles. They share the carrier shell of the M483A1 DPICM and instead carry 9 anti‐tank mines. They are no longer produced or in service although it is assessed the US maintains stockpiles.[16]
 United States M795 1998-current General purpose HE projectile developed with the intention of supplementing and eventually replacing the M107 in the US war stocks. Maximum range 24 km (15 mi) from a 39‐calibre howitzer. The M795 is one of two projectiles for which the M1156 PGK fuze has been developed.[18]
 United States M864 DPICM 1987-current A Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) submunition-carrying projectile, it is regarded as a development of the M483A1 DPICM incorporating base bleed technology for increased range. It consists of a carrier shell and 72 individual grenade submunitions. Maximum range is 29.4 km (18.3 mi).[19]
 United States /  Sweden M982 Excalibur 2014-current An extended‐range autonomously guided projectile using a combination of a high glide ratio lifting body airframe and GPS/IMU guidance. Maximum range is claimed to be 45 km (28 mi) from a 39‐calibre howitzer and 50.6 km (31.4 mi) from a 52‐calibre Archer.[20]
 United States W48 1963-1992 A tactical nuclear artillery projectile in service from 1963 to 1992.
 United States XM1113 HE RAP Development Rocket-assisted projectile being developed to replace the M549A1 HERA. Maximum range of 40 km (25 mi) when fired from a NATO-standard 39‐calibre howitzer.[21] Northrop Grumman have announced plans to develop an extended range upgrade for the M1156 PGK fuze which will be compatible with this projectile.[22]
 United States XM1128 ER HE Development Extended range base bleed projectile being developed to replace the M795. Maximum range of 30 km (19 mi) when fired from a NATO-standard 39‐calibre howitzer.[23] Northrop Grumman have announced plans to develop an extended range upgrade for the M1156 PGK fuze which will be compatible with this projectile.[22]

References
  1. LaGrone, Sam (January 11, 2018). "No New Round Planned For Zumwalt Destroyer Gun System; Navy Monitoring Industry". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  2. Janes (19 July 2022), "155 mm DM 702 SMArt 155 ammunition system", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 22 December 2022.
  3. ""KRASNOPOL-M2" 155 MM KM-1M GUIDED WEAPON SYSTEM". Archived from the original on 2021-07-16.
  4. "SMArt 155". deagel.com. December 30, 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  5. "Artillery Guided Weapon Systems". Archived from the original on 2021-07-16.
  6. "Smart ammo: precision-guided munitions for field artillery" (PDF). Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  7. Arnaud Delalande (13 November 2017). "Somebody's Popping Off Laser-Guided Shells in Libya". Was is Boring. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  8. Janes (26 August 2021), "155 mm M2005 Assegai extended range HE V‐LAP projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  9. Janes (18 July 2022), "155 mm K307 HE BB projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  10. Janes (2 February 2022), "155 mm BONUS sensor‐fuzed munition", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  11. Janes (26 September 2022), "155 mm L15 series HE shells", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 22 December 2022.
  12. Janes (31 August 2020), "155 mm Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP)", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 22 December 2022.
  13. Janes (29 July 2022), "155 mm M107 HE projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 22 December 2022.
  14. Janes (2 August 2022), "155 mm M483A1 HE DPICM projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  15. Janes (2 August 2022), "155 mm M549 and M549A1 HERA projectiles", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  16. Janes (22 June 2020), "155 mm M692 and M731 ADAM and M718 and M741 RAAMS rounds", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  17. Janes (11 November 2016), "155 mm M712 Copperhead HEAT CLGP projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  18. Janes (13 July 2022), "155 mm M795 HE projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  19. Janes (19 July 2022), "155 mm M864 and M864A1 DPICM projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  20. Janes (20 September 2022), "155 mm M982 and M982A1 Excalibur projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  21. Janes (20 July 2022), "155 mm XM1113 HE RAP", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  22. Janes (28 September 2022), "Northrop Grumman unveils PGK-ER development", Janes International Defence Review, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
  23. Janes (22 July 2022), "155 mm XM1128 ER HE projectile", Janes Weapons: Ammunition, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 23 December 2022.
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