What Is 155 mm Artillery Ammunition? Calibre, Range and Types
Last updated: 28 July 2026
What is 155 mm artillery ammunition? 155 mm is the bore diameter (calibre) of the gun. A 155 mm round is a large-calibre field-artillery shell, usually carrying a high-explosive warhead, fired from howitzers of that bore. As NATO’s standard artillery calibre, it is one of the most widespread and strategic ammunition types in the world.
What does 155 mm mean?
In artillery, ‘155 mm’ is the bore diameter — the calibre — of the gun firing the shell. The larger the calibre, the larger the projectile; 155 mm is the standard bore of medium-to-heavy field artillery. Such shells typically weigh 40-50 kg and carry a high-explosive warhead.
Why a NATO standard?
NATO standardised artillery calibres for logistical and operational interoperability. 155 mm became that common standard, so ammunition made by one ally can be fired from another ally’s howitzer. This interoperability is critical to sustaining the alliance’s firepower.
| Round type | Approx. range | Use |
|---|---|---|
| High-explosive (HE) | ~20-24 km | General purpose |
| Base-bleed (BB) | ~30-40 km | Long range |
| Rocket-assisted | 40 km+ | Very long range |
| Illumination / smoke / training | Variable | Special roles |
What determines range?
Range depends on the shell’s aerodynamics, propellant charge, barrel length and range-extension technology. Base-bleed shells create a gas flow at the base to cut drag and extend range — the technology used in ARCA’s ERFB-BB AR204.
Frequently asked questions
What is 155 mm artillery ammunition?
155 mm refers to the bore diameter (calibre) of the gun. A 155 mm round is a large-calibre field-artillery shell, usually with a high-explosive warhead, fired from howitzers of that bore. It is NATO’s standard artillery calibre.
Why is 155 mm the standard calibre?
NATO standardised artillery calibres for logistical interoperability; 155 mm is that common standard, so different nations’ howitzers can use the same ammunition.
What is the range of 155 mm ammunition?
Standard HE shells reach about 20-24 km, base-bleed rounds 30-40 km, and rocket-assisted rounds further still. The exact figure depends on howitzer and charge.
What types of 155 mm ammunition exist?
High-explosive (HE), illumination, smoke, training and various special-purpose rounds, plus base-bleed and rocket-assisted range-extension variants.
Does ARCA make 155 mm ammunition?
Yes. ARCA’s catalogue includes the 155 mm M107 high-explosive shell and the 40 km-class ERFB-BB AR204.
Sources
- ARCA Defense official website — Products (July 2026).
- General references on NATO artillery standardisation.
- Janes — 155 mm demand (2026).
Related: ARCA 155 mm ammunition
