US 155mm M795 HE Projectile

Overview

The US 155mm M795 HE Projectile is the United States Army and Marine Corps’ standard high-explosive artillery projectile for 155mm howitzer systems. Developed to replace the older M107 projectile, the M795 features significant improvements in lethality, range, and manufacturing that make it a cornerstone of American indirect fire capability. The projectile utilizes a high-fragmentation steel (HF1) body filled with TNT or IMX-101 insensitive explosive, producing enhanced blast and fragmentation effects against personnel and materiel targets. The M795 has seen extensive combat use in Iraq, Afghanistan, and has been supplied in large quantities to Ukraine, where it has become a critical component of artillery operations.

Country/Bloc of Origin

  • Country: United States of America
  • Development Period: 1980s development, production began 1990s
  • Primary Developer: U.S. Army ARDEC (Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center)
  • Manufacturers: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, American Ordnance LLC, Chamberlain Manufacturing Corporation
  • NATO Compatibility: Fully compatible with NATO STANAG-compliant 155mm systems
  • International Distribution: Widely exported to NATO allies and partner nations

Ordnance Class

  • Type: Artillery projectile (high-explosive)
  • Primary Role: Anti-personnel, anti-materiel, general fire support
  • Delivery Method: Gun-launched from 155mm towed and self-propelled howitzers
  • Category: Indirect fire conventional munition
  • Effect: Blast and high-fragmentation
  • Classification: Part of the ballistically similar family of 155mm howitzer ammunition

Ordnance Family/Nomenclature

  • Official Designation: Projectile, 155mm, HE, M795
  • Complete Round Designation: Cartridge, 155mm, HE, M795
  • NSN: Various NSNs depending on configuration
  • Related Variants:
    • M795E1: Extended-range base burner version (development)
    • M795 with IMX-101: Insensitive munition variant
  • Ballistically Similar Projectiles: M483A1 DPICM, M864 DPICM (registration capability)
  • Predecessor: M107 HE Projectile
  • Successor Developments: XM1128 and other advanced projectiles

Hazards

Primary Hazards
  • Blast Effect: Significant overpressure with effective radius against personnel
  • Fragmentation: High-fragmentation steel body produces numerous lethal fragments at high velocity
  • Lethality Improvement: 30% higher lethality than predecessor M107
  • Explosive Content: 10.8 kg (23.8 lbs) of TNT or IMX-101
Fragment Characteristics
  • Fragment Count: Thousands of high-velocity fragments
  • Lethal Radius: Approximately 50-70 meters
  • Casualty Radius: Extended radius for incapacitating wounds
  • Fragment Velocity: High initial velocity ensuring lethality at range
Sensitivity Considerations
  • Impact Sensitivity: Moderate when fuzed; requires fuze function
  • IMX-101 Variant: Reduced sensitivity to unintended stimuli
  • Storage Safety: Stable when properly stored and handled
  • Transport Classification: Class 1.1 explosive (mass detonation hazard)
UXO Hazards
  • Dud Rate: Modern US ammunition has low but non-zero dud rates
  • Fuze Sensitivity: Unfired or dud projectiles may have partially armed fuzes
  • Field Conditions: Combat expenditure may result in UXO in conflict zones
Safety Distances
  • Minimum Safe Distance (MSD): 300+ meters for trained EOD approach
  • Fragmentation Danger Radius: 100+ meters
  • Blast Danger Radius: 35-50 meters

Key Identification Features

Physical Dimensions
  • Caliber: 155mm (6.1 inches)
  • Overall Length: Approximately 698mm (27.5 inches) with fuze
  • Body Length: Approximately 607mm (23.9 inches) without fuze
  • Weight: 46.7 kg (103 lbs) complete
  • Body Weight: 35.4 kg (78.1 lbs) body assembly
Visual Characteristics
  • Body Shape: Ogival nose transitioning to cylindrical body with boat-tail base
  • Material: High-fragmentation (HF1) steel body
  • Rotating Band: Gilding metal welded band (distinguishing feature from M107)
  • Fuze Well: Standard NATO-thread fuze cavity at nose
  • Lifting Plug: Shock-attenuating lifting plug for handling
Color and Markings
  • Body Color: Olive drab
  • Color Codes: Yellow markings and/or yellow band indicating HE content
  • Stenciling: “PROJ 155MM HE M795” with lot number and date
  • Additional Markings: Manufacturer codes, explosive weight, fuze compatibility
Distinguishing Features from M107
  • Rotating Band: Welded band (M795) vs. swaged band (M107)
  • Body Profile: Slightly different ogive optimized for ballistic performance
  • HF1 Steel: High-fragmentation steel body for improved lethality
  • Length: M795 is approximately 2 inches shorter than M483A1 but ballistically similar

Fuzing Mechanisms

Compatible Fuze Types
  • Impact Fuzes: Point-detonating for surface burst
  • Mechanical Time (MT): For airburst effects
  • Proximity (VT): Variable time fuzes for optimized airburst
  • Multi-Option Fuzes: Modern electronic fuzes with selectable functions
  • Course Correcting Fuze (CCF): GPS-enhanced precision capability demonstrated
Commonly Used Fuzes
  • M739/M739A1: Point-detonating fuze
  • M582: Mechanical time and superquick fuze
  • M577: Mechanical time fuze
  • M762/M767: Proximity fuzes
  • M1156 PGK: Precision Guidance Kit (on compatible variants)
Fuze Compatibility Note
  • The M795 has a supplementary charge that should NOT be removed
  • Firing with long intrusion proximity fuzes is NOT authorized
  • Short intrusion proximity fuzes are compatible
Arming Sequence
  1. Fuze installed and set prior to loading
  2. Setback forces during firing initiate arming
  3. Spin-induced centrifugal forces complete arming process
  4. Safe separation distance typically 10-50 meters
  5. Fuze ready to function per selected mode

History of Development and Use

Development Timeline
  • 1980s: Development initiated to replace aging M107 projectile
  • 1990s: Production began; initial fielding to US Army
  • 1996: Major production contracts awarded (Chamberlain Manufacturing)
  • 2000s: Full-scale deployment; combat use in Iraq and Afghanistan
  • 2022-Present: Massive production increase for Ukraine support
Design Improvements Over M107
  • Welded Rotating Band: Allows use with M119/M203 propelling charges
  • Extended Range: Approximately 6,000 meters greater range than M107
  • Improved Lethality: 30% enhancement through HF1 steel body and optimized fragmentation
  • Ballistic Compatibility: Matches M483A1 cargo projectile for registration purposes
Combat History
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom: Extensive use by US artillery units
  • Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan): Primary HE projectile for fire support
  • Global War on Terror: Continuous combat employment worldwide
  • Russia-Ukraine War (2022-Present): Supplied in massive quantities to Ukraine
Production Significance
  • Ukraine Consumption: Estimated 6,000-8,000 rounds fired daily at peak (2023)
  • Production Scaling: US significantly increased manufacturing capacity
  • Global Supply: M795 shipped to numerous allied nations for their 155mm systems
Current Status
  • In Service: Primary US Army and USMC 155mm HE projectile
  • Production: Ongoing with expanded capacity
  • Development: M795E1 extended-range variant in development
  • IMX-101 Transition: Insensitive munition variant increasingly fielded

Technical Specifications

SpecificationValue
Caliber155mm
Total Weight46.7 kg (103 lbs)
Body Weight35.4 kg (78.1 lbs)
Explosive FillTNT or IMX-101
Fill Weight10.8 kg (23.8 lbs)
Body MaterialHigh-Fragmentation Steel (HF1)
Rotating BandGilding metal (welded)
Maximum Range (M198/M203A1)~22.5-24 km
Extended Range Goal (M795E1)26.5-28.5 km
Compatible Charges3W through 8S (M3A1-M203A1)
Fuze ThreadStandard NATO
Muzzle VelocityCharge-dependent

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes the M795 superior to the M107 it replaced? A: The M795 offers three major improvements over the M107: First, the welded rotating band allows firing with M119 and M203 propelling charges, extending range by approximately 6,000 meters. Second, the high-fragmentation (HF1) steel body produces a more effective fragmentation pattern, increasing lethality by approximately 30%. Third, the improved ballistic design provides better accuracy and consistency. These improvements make the M795 significantly more effective at greater ranges.

Q: Why is the M795 being supplied in such large quantities to Ukraine? A: The M795 is the standard NATO-compatible 155mm HE projectile and is compatible with the various 155mm howitzers provided to Ukraine (M777, M109, PzH 2000, etc.). The high consumption rate in Ukraine’s artillery-intensive warfare has driven unprecedented production demands. The M795’s effectiveness against both personnel and fortifications makes it ideal for the defensive and offensive operations Ukraine conducts. US production has been scaled up dramatically to meet these requirements.

Q: What is the difference between M795 filled with TNT versus IMX-101? A: IMX-101 (Insensitive Munitions Explosive) is a newer explosive formulation designed to be less sensitive to unintended stimuli like fire, bullet impact, or fragment impact, while maintaining equivalent performance to TNT. The IMX-101 variant reduces the risk of sympathetic detonation in storage and transport, improving safety for troops handling and storing ammunition. Performance against targets remains comparable to the TNT-filled version.

Q: How is the M795 used for registration with cargo projectiles? A: The M795 is ballistically similar to the M483A1 DPICM cargo projectile family. This means artillery units can fire M795 HE rounds to verify their firing data (registration), then switch to M483A1 cargo rounds knowing they will impact in the same location. This capability allows units to adjust fire using the less expensive HE round before employing specialized ammunition.

Q: What fuzes can and cannot be used with the M795? A: The M795 is compatible with impact fuzes (M739 series), mechanical time fuzes (M577, M582), and short-intrusion proximity fuzes (M762, M767). Importantly, long-intrusion proximity fuzes are NOT authorized for use with the M795, and the projectile’s supplementary charge should never be removed. Modern electronic multi-function fuzes and the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit have also been demonstrated with the M795.

Q: What is the M795E1 and how does it differ? A: The M795E1 is an extended-range variant under development that incorporates a base burner unit derived from the M864 DPICM projectile. The base burner reduces base drag during flight, extending maximum range to 26.5-28.5 km from the M198 (39 caliber) and potentially 34-36 km from 52-caliber systems. This addresses the need for greater range to counter adversary artillery systems while maintaining the M795’s lethality advantages.

Q: What should EOD personnel know about M795 dud projectiles? A: M795 projectiles found as UXO should be approached with standard artillery ordnance precautions. Key considerations include: the fuze may be in a partially armed state; the explosive fill (10.8 kg of TNT or IMX-101) represents significant hazard; the high-fragmentation body will produce lethal fragments if detonated; and the projectile weight (103 lbs) requires mechanical handling for movement. Standard render-safe procedures for US 155mm HE apply.

Q: How does M795 production and cost compare to other 155mm ammunition? A: The M795 is manufactured in large quantities, making it relatively cost-effective compared to precision-guided munitions. While exact costs vary, conventional M795 rounds cost a small fraction of precision munitions like Excalibur. This cost differential is why the M795 remains the primary ammunition for volume fire missions, with precision munitions reserved for high-value or time-sensitive targets. The Ukraine conflict has highlighted the importance of maintaining large-scale production capacity for conventional artillery ammunition.

SAFETY NOTICE: This lesson is intended for educational and training purposes. All ordnance should be considered dangerous until proven safe by qualified personnel. Unexploded ordnance should never be handled by untrained individuals—report findings to military or law enforcement authorities.