Shell (projectile) facts for kids

Shells used on the HMS Belfast

A shell is a type of projectile used in weapons. It is filled with explosive or other substances. It is similar to a bomb but is made to be shot out of a gun. Shells are usually large caliber projectiles fired by artillery, armored vehicles (including tanks), and warships. A fuze detonates the explosive or releases whatever else the shell may be carrying.

Anti-tank guns fire thick shells without much explosive inside. Shells usually have the shape of a cylinder but taper towards the front end to form a point. However, special shells may use other shapes.

Images for kids

Some sectioned shells from the First World War. From left to right: 90 mm shrapnel shell, 120 mm pig iron incendiary shell, 77/14 model – 75 mm high-explosive shell, model 16–75 mm shrapnel shell.
155 mm M107 projectiles. All have fuzes fitted.
The 'flying-cloud thunderclap-eruptor' cannon from the Huolongjing
A mortar with a hollowed shell from the Boshin war
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Poudre B was the first practical smokeless powder.
Sir James Dewar developed the cordite explosive in 1889.
Drawing of a carcass shell
British gun crew preparing 155 mm shells at Vergato, Italy on 22 February 1945
Palliser shot for the BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I - VII, 1886
Picric acid was used in the first high-explosive shells. Cut out section of a high-explosive shell belonging to a Canon de 75 modèle 1897.
15 inch high-explosive howitzer shells, circa 1917
BL 9.2 in common shell Mk V
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Typical World War I shrapnel round:1 shell bursting charge2 bullets3 nose fuze4 central ignition tube5 resin matrix6 thin steel shell wall7 cartridge case8 propellant
155 mm artillery shells containing HD (nitrogen mustard) agent at Pueblo chemical weapons storage facility – Note the colour-coding scheme on each shell.
British World War II 4-inch naval illuminating shell, showing time fuze (orange, top), illuminating compound (green) and parachute (white, bottom)
Illumination rounds fired from a M777 howitzer
Modern 155 mm artillery ammunition – these shells are unusual in having two driving bands. The shell on the right is a modified M107.
M982 Excalibur. A GPS guided artillery shell.
M712 Copperhead approaches a target tank.
SMArt 155. An anti-armor shell containing two autonomous, sensor-guided, fire-and-forget submunitions.

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