Markings and inscriptions on projectiles

Markings and inscriptions on projectiles

Markings and inscriptions on projectiles Ukraine

Foreign terms (abbreviations) used in markings
projectiles

A–3 – an American explosive consisting of a mixture of 91% RDX and 9% plasticizing oil, also known as microcrystalline wax;

AK Device – a marker projectile filled with a small amount of dye, used to mark the point of impact during registration fire;

ADAM - Series of remote-mining projectiles

ADF – (Auxiliary Detonating Fuze) an American auxiliary detonating fuze located between the charge and the main fuze. It ensures more effective detonation and prevents the projectile from exploding if the main fuze functions accidentally
fuze;

AHEAD – (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) an improved projectile with high destructive capability;

AP – (Armor Piercing) an armor-piercing projectile with a pointed tip;

AP–I – (Armor Piercing Projectiles Include a Incendiary) an armor-piercing incendiary projectile;

APCR – (Armour–Piercing Composite Rigid) a sub-caliber armor-piercing projectile with a non-separating sabot and a composite armor-piercing tip;

APDS – (Armor–Piercing Discarding Sabot) a sub-caliber armor-piercing projectile with a discarding sabot;

APDU – (Armor–Piercing Depleted Uranium) a sub-caliber armor-piercing projectile with a depleted-uranium core;

APFSDS – (Armor–Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) a fin-stabilized sub-caliber armor-piercing projectile with a sabot;

APHE – (Armor Piercing High Explosive) an armor-piercing projectile with an increased quantity of explosive;

APHE–T – (Armor Piercing High Explosive Include a Tracer) a tracer armor-piercing projectile with an increased quantity of explosive;

APHEBC – (Armor Piercing High–Explosive With Both AP Caps) an armor-piercing projectile with a ballistic cap and an increased quantity of explosive;

APT or AP–T – (Armor Piercing Projectiles Include a Tracer) an armor-piercing tracer projectile;

BB - (Base bleed) – a base-bleed generator. Increases range by 20%–35%

BT - (Boat Tail) – (literally: the tail of a boat) has a tapered rear section that helps reduce air drag, further improving range and flight stability.

Bdz. – (German: Bodenzünder) the German abbreviation for a base fuze;

BL&P or BL&P. – (Blind Loaded & Plugged) a projectile without explosive; BL&T or BL&T. – (Blind Loaded Shell With a Tracer) a tracer projectile for practice firing;

BOF – (French: Boulet Ogival en Fonte) the French abbreviation for training projectiles;

CCF – (Course Correcting Fuze) a smart fuze that uses projectile flight-path correction together with the GPS global positioning system to control a bursting ballistic projectile;

CHEM – (Chemical) the British abbreviation for a chemical projectile;

CLGP – (Cannon–Launched, Guided Projectile) a long-range guided projectile with laser guidance;

CNF – (Common Nose Fuze) the British abbreviation for a bursting projectile with a nose fuze;

Common – a bursting projectile. This term was used by the British Royal Navy and the US Navy for any armor-piercing projectile;

CP or Common Point – the British abbreviation for projectiles with a cast-steel body filled with a bursting charge;

CPBC – (Common Pointed Ballistic Cap) the British abbreviation for projectiles with a cast-steel body filled with a bursting charge and fitted with a ballistic cap;

CPC or Common Topped Cappped – the British abbreviation for armor-piercing projectiles intended to engage lightly armored targets. Fitted with a mild-steel cap and has low armor-piercing power, like a large HE projectile;

DBP — double-base propellant (Double-base propellant)

DPICM – (Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition) improved dual-purpose US Navy munitions that have both fragmentation and armor-piercing properties;

Dunnite or Explosive D – an American explosive, ammonium picrate;

ERGM – (Extended Range Guided Munition) an extended-range guided projectile;

ERFB  BT – an extended-range projectile;

ERFB  BB – an extended-range projectile with a base-bleed generator;

EXE or Extra Experimental – a British experimental explosive;

Explosive D or Dunnite – an American explosive, ammonium picrate;

FAP – (Frangible Armor Piercing) an armor-piercing projectile with a tungsten tip, designed to penetrate frangible armor and combining armor penetration, blast effect and incendiary action;

FAPDS – (Fragmented Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot) a fragmenting sub-caliber projectile with a sabot;

Gargousse – the French abbreviation for bagged charges;

GAU – (Airborne Guns And Gun Systems) the American designation for aircraft, naval and artillery systems;

GB2 – a chemical agent for engaging personnel;

Granate or Gr. – the German designation for a projectile;

HBX – a binary explosive consisting of a mixture of RDX, TNT, aluminum powder, wax and calcium chloride;

HC – (High Capacity) the American designation for high-explosive fragmentation projectiles for engaging lightly armored targets;

HC – a hexachloroethane/zinc mixture in smoke projectiles;

HCHE – (High Capacity High Explosive) a variant of the HET projectile that uses a special grade of steel, allowing it to penetrate steel plates up to 20 mm thick before the fuze functions;

HE – (High Explosive) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile for engaging lightly armored targets;

HE–CVT – (High Explosive with a Controlled Variable Time) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a proximity adjustable fuze;

HE–I – (High Explosive include an Incendiary) a high-explosive fragmentation incendiary projectile;

HE–IR – (High Explosive with an Infrared Fuze) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with an infrared fuze;

HE–I–SD – (Self–destructing Incendiary High Explosive Projectile) a self-destructing high-explosive fragmentation incendiary projectile;

HE–MOM – (High Explosive Multirole OTO Munitions) a multirole high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a proximity fuze and tungsten fragmentation elements, made by OTO Melara;

HE–PD – (High Explosive with a Point Detonating contact fuze) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a contact fuze;

HE–PF–OM – (High Explosive Pre–Fragmented OTO Munition) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with tungsten fragmentation elements, made by OTO Melara;

HET or HE–T – (High Explosive shell with a Tracer) a high-explosive fragmentation tracer projectile;

HE–T/SD – (Self–Destructing High Explosive with a Tracer) a self-destructing high-explosive fragmentation tracer projectile;

HE/SD – (Self–Destructing High Explosive) a self-destructing high-explosive fragmentation projectile;

HEAT – (High Explosive Anti–Tank) a high-explosive projectile with a shaped-charge effect;

HEAT–FS – (High Explosive Anti–Tank Fuse Sensitivity) a fin-stabilized shaped-charge projectile;

HEDP – (High Explosive Dual–Purpose) a fragmentation shaped-charge projectile;

HE ER FB-BB (OFd M3-DV) – (High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore projectile with (Base Bleed)) a long-range high-explosive fragmentation projectile with improved aerodynamics, fitted with a base-bleed gas generator;

HE ER FB-BT (OFd M3) – (High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore projectile with (Boat Tail)) a long-range high-explosive fragmentation projectile with improved aerodynamics;

HENT – (High Explosive shell with TNT burster) the British abbreviation for a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a TNT bursting charge;

HESH – (High Explosive Squash Head) an armor-piercing high-explosive projectile;

HETF – (High Explosive Projectile with Time Fuze) the British abbreviation for a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a time fuze;

HE–VT – (High Explosive with a Variable Time fuze) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a proximity time fuze;

HMX – (Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine) a white crystalline powder used as an oxidizer in rocket propellant and explosives;

H/HD – a chemical, toxic agent for contaminating terrain

ILLUM IR -  infrared illuminating projectile

ILLUM or Illuminating – an illuminating projectile, usually filled with magnesium and fitted with a parachute to slow its descent;

ILLUM–MT – (Illuminating with Mechanical Time fuze) an illuminating projectile with a mechanical time fuze;

K Device – a projectile filled with a small amount of dye, used to mark the point of impact during registration fire;

Kz – (German: Kopfzünder) the German designation for a projectile's nose fuze;

Leucht geschoss or Lg. – the German designation for an illuminating or blinding projectile;

Leuchtspur – the German designation for a tracer projectile;

LG – (Large Grain) the British name for a coarse-grained explosive;

LRBA – (Long Range Bombardment Ammunition) unguided extended-range sub-caliber projectiles;

LRLAP – (Long Range Land Attack Projectiles) a promising type of extended-range projectiles;

mh or mhb or m.Hb – (German: mit Haube) the German designation for projectiles with a ballistic cap;

MCS - modular charge system;

MACS – modular charge system (M231);

MPCS - the German standard for a modular charge system (DM72)

Mle – (Modèle) the French abbreviation for model, usually followed by the year of design. Used in the designations of projectiles, guns and artillery mounts;

MNLF/2P/M08 – (Nitroguanidine, Nitroglycerin and Nitrocellulose) the modern designation of a British explosive for propelling charges;

MPT – (Multi–Purpose Tracer) a high-explosive fragmentation tracer projectile with an incendiary charge instead of a fuze;

NQ — nitrocellulose (Nitrocellulose)

NACO – (Navy Cool single–base propellant) the designation of cooler-burning propellants, used by the US Navy;

Nb.gr. – (Nebelgranate) the German designation for a smoke projectile;

OEA – (Obus Explosif en Acier) the French abbreviation for high-explosive fragmentation projectiles;

OEcl – (Obus Eclairant) the French abbreviation for shrapnel projectiles;

OI – (Obus Incendiare) the French abbreviation for incendiary projectiles;

OPf or OPF RC – (French: Obus de Perforation) or (French: Obus de Perforation de Rupture Coiffé) the French abbreviation for armor-piercing projectiles with a pointed ballistic cap;

OPfK – (Obus de Perforation dispositif "K") the French abbreviation for armor-piercing projectiles with a pointed ballistic cap, filled with dye to mark the point of burst;

IM – insensitive munitions. Resistant to possible impacts

Pdr. – (Pound) the British designation of a projectile in pounds. 1 pound = 0.453 kg;

Pfeilgeschoss – the German designation for a fin-stabilized fragmentation projectile;

PFHE – (Proximity Fuzed High Explosive) a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a proximity fuze;

PPHE – a remotely detonated projectile with pre-formed lethal elements;

Psgr. – (Panzersprenggranate) the German designation for an armor-piercing projectile;

RA  – a rocket projectile;

RAP – (Rocket Assisted Projectile) a rocket-assisted projectile;

RDX – cyclonite or RDX (hexogen), a high-performance explosive;

RDX/BWK–91/9 – a British explosive consisting of 91% RDX and 9% beeswax;

PGK – (Precision Guidance Kit) a precision guidance kit (M1156 fuze);

RFG – (Reactive Fuel Grain) a fine-grained explosive used in fragmentation and illuminating projectiles;

SAP – (Semi–Armor Piercing) a semi-armor-piercing projectile;

SAL – semi-active laser-guided

SAPBC or CapCPBC – (Semi–Armour Piercing Ballistic) the British abbreviation for semi-armor-piercing projectiles with a cast-steel body filled with a bursting charge and fitted with a ballistic cap;

SAPER – (Semi–Armor Piercing Extended Range) an extended-range semi-armor-piercing projectile;

SAPHE – (Semi–armor piercing high–explosive) a semi-armor-piercing high-explosive projectile;

SAPHEI – (Semi–Armor Piercing High–Explosive Incendiary) a semi-armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary projectile;

SAPHEI–T – (Semi–Armor Piercing High–Explosive Incendiary include a Tracer) a semi-armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary tracer projectile;

SAPOM – (Semi–Armor Piercing OTO Munition) a semi-armor-piercing projectile made by OTO Melara;

SBP — single-base propellant (Single base propellant)

SMK – (Smoke) the British abbreviation for a marked smoke projectile;

SMK BE – (Smoke Bottom End) the British abbreviation for a marked smoke projectile with an ejectable base;

SP – for self-propelled systems;

SPDB – (Smokeless Powder with Blend of Diphenylamine) the American designation for explosive mixtures stabilized with diphenylamine. A numeric development number may be added to the letter designation;

Spgr. Bdz. or Spr.gr. Bdz.– (Sprenggranate mit Bodenzünder) the German designation for high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with a base fuze;

Spgr. Kz. or Spr.gr. Kz – (Sprenggranate mit Kopfzünder.) the German designation for high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with a nose fuze;

Spgr. Bdz u. Kz or Spr.gr. Bdz u. Kz – (Sprenggranate mit Bodenzünder und Kopfzünder.) the German designation for high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with nose and base fuzes;

Sprengladung – the German designation for an explosive charge;

SS – (Shrapnel Shell) the British abbreviation for incendiary projectiles;

TBP — triple-base propellant (Triple base propellant)

TNF – (Trinitrophenol) trinitrophenol, picric acid, an explosive known in different countries as melinite, lyddite, pertite, picrinite, ecrasite and shimose;

TNT – (Trinitrotoluene) trinitrotoluene or TNT, a high-brisance explosive;

TP–T – (Surface) a target or practice tracer projectile;

VL – (Visible Light Illumination) an illuminating projectile;

WP – (White Phosphorous) smoke projectiles filled with white phosphorus. Used to create small smoke screens

Also on this site

Marking of projectiles by weight marks

Weight class
(number of cells)		HE M107HE EFRBHE EFRB-BB
□41.34 to 41.8443.79 to 44.2945.85 to 46.35
□ □41.84 to 42.3443.79 to 44.7945.85 to 46.85
□ □ □42.34 to 42.8444.29 to 44.7946.35 to 46.85
□ □ □ □42.84 to 43.3444.79 to 45.2946.85 to 47.35
□ □ □ □ □43.34 to 43.8445.29 to 45.7947.35 to 47.85
□ □ □ □ □ □43.84 to 44.3445.79 to 46.2947.85 to 48.35

Mass categories

MarkingProjectile mass
in ascending order (kg)		Average mass
of category (kg)		dP (1 tile) (kg)
•42.001 to 42.50042.2500.500
••42.501 to 43.00042.7500.500
•••43.001 to 43.50043.2500.500
••••43.501 to 44.00043.7500.500
•••••44.001 to 44.50044.2500.500

Note: OE 155 F2, OE 155 F1, OX 155 F1 and OFUM F2A projectiles have the same mass categories (projectiles with the PD M 557 fuze)

Informative content

Painting of 155 mm artillery projectiles

Ammunition components are painted primarily to prevent rust. Colors are used for camouflage, for recognizing the main use of the item and for identifying hazardous fillers used in the munitions. These are the colors used to indicate the main use of ammunition.

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LOT – batch identification number. How to read it

LOT – product batch identification number, decoding

Codes of all manufacturers of military products are available at: MIL-HDBK-1461

DODIC - US Department of Defense identification code

All DODIC codes can be viewed here ⇐ (which ammunition each code corresponds to)

DODIC code of US ammunition

Projectile marking by weight signs

Weight class
(number of squares)		HE M107HE EFRBHE EFRB-BB
□41.34 to 41.8443.79 to 44.2945.85 to 46.35
□ □41.84 to 42.3443.79 to 44.7945.85 to 46.85
□ □ □42.34 to 42.8444.29 to 44.7946.35 to 46.85
□ □ □ □42.84 to 43.3444.79 to 45.2946.85 to 47.35
□ □ □ □ □43.34 to 43.8445.29 to 45.7947.35 to 47.85
□ □ □ □ □ □43.84 to 44.3445.79 to 46.2947.85 to 48.35

Weight categories

MarkingProjectile weight
in ascending order (kg)		Average weight
of category (kg)		dP (1 tile) (kg)
•42.001 to 42.50042.2500.500
••42.501 to 43.00042.7500.500
•••43.001 to 43.50043.2500.500
••••43.501 to 44.00043.7500.500
•••••44.001 to 44.50044.2500.500

Note: Projectiles OE 155 F2, OE 155 F1, OX 155 F1 and OFUM F2A have the same weight categories (projectiles fitted with the PD M 557 fuze)

Calculating the length of a leg of a right triangle

Calculating the length of a leg of a right triangle

Insufficient data for calculation

Oleh Syrota (Georgich©) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine /

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