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669:, which, like other small arms, uses cartridge ammunition in a size specific to the weapon. Ammunition is carried on the person in box magazines specific to the weapon, ammunition boxes, pouches or bandoliers. The amount of ammunition carried is dependent on the strength of the soldier, the expected action required, and the ability of ammunition to move forward through the logistical chain to replenish the supply. A soldier may also carry a smaller amount of specialized ammunition for heavier weapons such as machine guns and mortars, spreading the burden for squad weapons over many people. Too little ammunition poses a threat to the mission, while too much limits the soldier's mobility also being a threat to the mission.
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fire or explosion, the site and its surrounding area is immediately evacuated and the stored ammunition is left to detonate itself completely with limited attempts at firefighting from a safe distance. In large facilities, there may be a flooding system to automatically extinguish a fire or prevent an explosion. Typically, an ammunition dump will have a large buffer zone surrounding it, to avoid casualties in the event of an accident. There will also be perimeter security measures in place to prevent access by unauthorized personnel and to guard against the potential threat from enemy forces.
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lives, collected and recycled into new lead-acid batteries), the lead in ammunition ends up being almost entirely dispersed into the natural environment. For example, lead bullets that miss their target or remain in a carcass or body that was never retrieved can very easily enter environmental systems and become toxic to wildlife. The US military has experimented with replacing lead with copper as a slug in their
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and proximity (explode above or next to a target without hitting it, such as for airburst effects or anti-aircraft shells). These allow a single ammunition type to be altered to suit the situation it is required for. There are many designs of a fuze, ranging from simple mechanical to complex radar and barometric systems.
545:
crossbow); in modern times, it is usually a form of chemical energy that rapidly burns to create kinetic force, and an appropriate amount of chemical propellant is packaged with each round of ammunition. In recent years, compressed gas, magnetic energy and electrical energy have been used as propellants.
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As of 2013, lead-based ammunition production is the second-largest annual use of lead in the US, accounting for over 60,000 metric tons consumed in 2012. In contrast to the closed-loop nature of the largest annual use of lead (i.e. for lead-acid batteries, nearly all of which are, at the end of their
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The cartridge is the container that holds the projectile and propellant. Not all ammunition types have a cartridge case. In its place, a wide range of materials can be used to contain the explosives and parts. With some large weapons, the ammunition components are stored separately until loaded into
436:
inside a target, maximizing the damage inflicted by one round. Anti-personnel shells are designed to fragment into many pieces and can affect a large area. Armor-piercing rounds are specially hardened to penetrate armor, while smoke ammunition covers an area with a fog that screens people from view.
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A magazine is a place where a quantity of ammunition or other explosive material is stored temporarily prior to being used. The term may be used for a facility where large quantities of ammunition are stored, although this would normally be referred to as an ammunition dump. Magazines are typically
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An ammunition dump is a military facility for the storage of live ammunition and explosives that will be distributed and used at a later date. Such a storage facility is extremely hazardous, with the potential for accidents when unloading, packing, and transferring the ammunition. In the event of a
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The fuze of a weapon can be used to alter how the ammunition works. For example, a common artillery shell fuze can be set to "point detonation" (detonation when it hits a target), delay (detonate after it has hit and penetrated a target), time-delay (explode a specified time after firing or impact)
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The propellant is the component of ammunition that is activated inside the weapon and provides the kinetic energy required to move the projectile from the weapon to the target. Before the use of gunpowder, this energy would have been produced mechanically by the weapons system (e.g., a catapult or
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Fuzes are usually armed by the acceleration force of firing the projectile, and usually arm several meters after clearing the bore of the weapon. This helps to ensure the ammunition is safer to handle when loading into the weapon and reduces the chance of the detonator firing before the ammunition
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to cut rigging and sails. Modern naval engagements have occurred over far longer distances than historic battles, so as ship armor has increased in strength and thickness, the ammunition to defeat it has also changed. Naval ammunition is now designed to reach very high velocities (to improve its
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interchangeable or recoverable ammunition was used (e.g., arrows), it was possible to pick up spent arrows (both friendly and enemy) and reuse them. However, with the advent of explosive or non-recoverable ammunition, this was no longer possible and new supplies of ammunition would be needed.
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With every successive improvement in military arms, a corresponding modification has occurred in the method of supplying ammunition in the quantity required. As soon as projectiles were required (such as javelins and arrows), there needed to be a method of replenishment. When non-specialized,
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on impact to maximize damage. The fuze used on an artillery shell can alter how it explodes or behaves so it has a more specialized effect. Common types of artillery ammunition include high explosive, smoke, illumination, and practice rounds. Some artillery rounds are designed as
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Ammunition design has evolved throughout history as different weapons have been developed and different effects required. Historically, ammunition was of relatively simple design and build (e.g., sling-shot, stones hurled by catapults), but as weapon designs developed (e.g.,
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continue to be regularly found in fields throughout France and
Belgium and occasionally still claim lives. Although classified as a UXO, landmines that have been left behind after conflict are not considered duds as they have not failed to work and may still be fully
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The weight of ammunition required, particularly for artillery shells, can be considerable, causing a need for extra time to replenish supplies. In modern times, there has been an increase in the standardization of many ammunition types between allies (e.g., the NATO
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is loaded ammunition that fails to function as intended, typically failing to detonate on landing. However, it can also refer to ammunition that fails to fire inside the weapon, known as a misfire, or when the ammunition only partially functions, known as a
734:. Artillery ammunition will almost always include a projectile (the only exception being demonstration or blank rounds), fuze and propellant of some form. When a cartridge case is not used, there will be some other method of containing the
206:, which includes all components required to deliver the weapon effect in a single package. Until the 20th century, black powder was the most common propellant used but has now been replaced in nearly all cases by modern compounds.
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armor-piercing abilities) and may have specialized fuzes to defeat specific types of vessels. However, due to the extended ranges at which modern naval combat may occur, guided missiles have largely supplanted guns and shells.
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Gunpowder must be stored in a dry place (stable room temperature) to keep it usable, as long as for 10 years. It is also recommended to avoid hot places, because friction or heat might ignite a spark and cause an explosion.
222:, used only in certain circumstances. Ammunition is commonly labeled or colored in a specific manner to assist in its identification and to prevent the wrong ammunition types from being used accidentally or inappropriately.
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which has an effect over long distances, usually indirectly (i.e., out of sight of the target). There are many different types of artillery ammunition, but they are usually high-explosive and designed to shatter into
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The projectile is the part of the ammunition that leaves the weapon and has the effect on the target. This effect is usually either kinetic (e.g., as with a standard bullet) or through the delivery of explosives.
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Ammunition comes in a great range of sizes and types and is often designed to work only in specific weapons systems. However, there are internationally recognized standards for certain ammunition types (e.g.,
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or artillery piece. Before the mid-19th century, these shells were usually made of solid materials and relied on kinetic energy to have an effect. However, since that time, they are more often filled with
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now usually refers to the actual weapons system with the ammunition required to operate it. In some languages other than
English ammunition is still referred to as munition, such as French ("
323:(UXO), is regarded as highly dangerous. In former conflict zones, it is not uncommon for dud ammunition to remain buried in the ground for many years. Large quantities of ammunition from
214:) that enable their use across different weapons and by different users. There are also specific types of ammunition that are designed to have a specialized effect on a target, such as
429:) and became more refined, the need for more specialized ammunition increased. Modern ammunition can vary significantly in quality but is usually manufactured to very high standards.
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Naval weapons were originally the same as many land-based weapons, but the ammunition was designed for specific use, such as a solid shot designed to hole an enemy ship and
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The propellant charge is distinct from the projectile charge which is activated by the fuze, which causes the ammunition effect (e.g., the exploding of an artillery round).
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441:) can often be altered slightly to give it a more specific effect (e.g., tracer, incendiary), whilst larger explosive rounds can be altered by using different fuzes.
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located in the field for quick access when engaging the enemy. The ammunition storage area on a warship is referred to as the "ship's magazine". On a smaller scale,
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357:), is typically an airdropped, unpowered explosive weapon. Mines and the warheads used in guided missiles and rockets are also referred to as bomb-type ammunition.
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was the most common propellant in ammunition. However, it has since been replaced by a wide range of fast-burning compounds that are more reliable and efficient.
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can reduce the weight and cost of ammunition, and simplify the firing process for increased firing rate, but the maturing technology has functionality issues.
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which reduces the dangers posed by lead in the environment as a result of artillery. Since 2010, this has eliminated over 2000 tons of lead in waste streams.
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Tank ammunition was developed in WWI as tanks first appeared on the battlefield. However, as tank-on-tank warfare developed (including the development of
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of an explosive round or shell. The spelling is different in
British English and American English (fuse/fuze respectively) and they are unrelated to a
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has had a significant impact on anti-tank ammunition design, now common in both tank-fired ammunition and in anti-tank missiles, including
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1167:. Bavarian Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture and Forestry upon an initiative of the Bavarian Hunting Association. Archived from
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Unexploded ammunition can remain active for a very long time and poses a significant threat to both humans and the environment.
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was earlier used to ignite the propellant (e.g., such as on a firework) until the advent of more reliable systems such as the
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is a single release of a weapons system. This may involve firing just one round or piece of ammunition (e.g., from a
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The components of ammunition intended for rifles and munitions may be divided into these categories:
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to have an effect (usually, but not always, lethal). An example of ammunition is the firearm
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is also the name given to the ammunition storage and feeding device of a repeating firearm.
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Preparing 105 mm M119 howitzer ammunition: powder propellant, cartridge, and shell with fuze
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1192:"A Small Entrepreneur Stands Up to the Trump Administration on Lead Ammunition"
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Material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from a weapon or weapon system
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can be traced back to the mid-17th century. The word comes from the French
160:. Every fifth round (red tip) is an M20 (armor piercing incendiary tracer).
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artillery), more specialized forms of ammunition were developed such as
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The purpose of ammunition is to project a force against a selected
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Artillery shells are ammunition that is designed to be fired from
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is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any
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or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons (e.g.,
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Fourteen-inch ammunition on the deck of a battleship in 1944.
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Modern 120 mm tank gun cartridges with different projectiles
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The inside of a modern 12.7 mm "anti-materiel" rifle bullet
1165:"Eco-toxicological assessment of hunting rifle ammunition"
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For example, ammunition for hunting can be designed to
518:or igniter that is used in most modern ammunition.
74:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
268:is a form of ammunition that is fired by a large
1144:. United States Geological Survey. January 2013
782:armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot
582:the weapon system for firing. With small arms,
573:Ordnance workers inspecting cartridge cases in
1218:"Picatinny ammo goes from regular to unleaded"
665:The standard weapon of a modern soldier is an
1064:. United States Naval Academy. Archived from
8:
319:. Dud ammunition, which is classified as an
738:bags, usually a breech-loading weapon; see
37:"Ammo" redirects here. For other uses, see
382:are often used interchangeably, although
134:Learn how and when to remove this message
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900:Air travel with firearms and ammunition
650:compared to the height of a US$ 1 bill.
1005:Table of handgun and rifle cartridges
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1248:International Ammunition Association
1243:European Ammunition Box Translations
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955:International Ammunition Association
784:(APFSDS) rounds. The development of
72:adding citations to reliable sources
871:Hunters are also encouraged to use
875:, which exclude any lead content.
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374:, for the material used for war.
1142:"Mineral Industry Surveys, Lead"
1010:Tubes and primers for ammunition
778:armour-piercing discarding sabot
48:
437:More generic ammunition (e.g.,
59:needs additional citations for
1216:Audra Calloway (1 July 2013).
1034:"the definition of ammunition"
970:List of rebated rim cartridges
683:A shell is a payload-carrying
1:
1091:"the definition of munitions"
1116:"How to Properly Store Ammo"
559:Cartridge case or container
32:Ammunition (disambiguation)
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965:List of handgun cartridges
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940:High-explosive incendiary
853:Standardization Agreement
790:anti-tank guided missiles
335:or, more specifically, a
975:List of rifle cartridges
930:Full metal jacket bullet
774:high-explosive anti-tank
548:Until the 20th-century,
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985:Overpressure ammunition
687:which, as opposed to a
530:Propellant or explosive
995:Rotation of ammunition
859:Environmental problems
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39:Ammo (disambiguation)
1220:. United States Army
915:Armor-piercing shell
776:(HEAT) warheads and
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68:improve this article
30:For other uses, see
1059:"Aircraft ordnance"
945:Hollow-point bullet
885:Unexploded ordnance
879:Unexploded ordnance
584:caseless ammunition
565:Cartridge (firearm)
467:explosive materials
321:unexploded ordnance
1171:on 18 October 2017
1122:. 22 December 2013
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842:Military logistics
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910:Ammunition column
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154:0.50 caliber
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83:"Ammunition"
78:
66:Please help
61:verification
58:
1224:30 December
1175:16 February
1148:30 December
960:KE munition
935:Handloading
575:Los Angeles
476:projectiles
471:propellants
415:Cannonballs
372:la munition
354:aerial bomb
325:World War I
158:M2 Browning
1268:Explosives
1263:Ammunition
1257:Categories
1017:References
810:chain-shot
736:propellant
685:projectile
659:See also:
655:Small arms
590:Projectile
540:Propellant
445:Components
376:Ammunition
368:ammunition
251:propellant
247:projectile
185:land mines
165:Ammunition
152:A belt of
124:March 2017
94:newspapers
836:Logistics
727:fragments
722:artillery
701:Artillery
695:Artillery
550:gunpowder
536:Gunpowder
504:detonator
498:The term
417:from the
396:munizione
388:munitions
366:The term
362:Etymology
316:hang fire
282:artillery
243:cartridge
204:cartridge
18:Munitions
1201:31 March
1126:16 April
950:Howitzer
893:See also
646:Various
628:magazine
392:Munition
384:munition
380:munition
226:Glossary
193:warheads
181:grenades
177:missiles
1273:Weapons
1100:6 March
1043:6 March
617:Arsenal
607:Storage
427:rifling
400:munição
270:caliber
189:bullets
108:scholar
1196:Forbes
829:, and
716:shells
705:Cannon
673:Shells
661:Bullet
577:, 1943
516:primer
434:expand
406:Design
338:guided
273:cannon
259:casing
255:primer
200:target
169:weapon
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1075:6 May
1069:(PDF)
1062:(PDF)
796:Naval
488:Fuzes
280:(see
266:shell
239:round
173:bombs
115:JSTOR
101:books
1226:2014
1203:2019
1177:2017
1150:2014
1128:2019
1102:2017
1077:2015
1045:2017
827:Bomb
754:and
752:Tank
746:Tank
714:M107
703:and
689:shot
615:and
538:and
512:fuse
510:. A
500:fuze
494:Fuze
469:and
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378:and
333:bomb
289:shot
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351:or
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309:dud
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