page_title: Shell (projectile)
section_title: Types
hierarchical_section_title: Shell (projectile) / Types
caption_attribution_description: Diagram of Mk II Palliser shot for British BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I - VII.
context_page_description: A shell is a payload-carrying projectile that, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot. Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used. Originally, it was called a "bombshell", but "shell" has come to be unambiguous in a military context.
  All explosive- and incendiary-filled projectiles, particularly for mortars, were originally called grenades, derived from the pomegranate, so called because the many-seeded fruit suggested the powder-filled, fragmenting bomb, or from the similarity of shape. Words cognate with grenade are still used for an artillery or mortar projectile in some European languages.
  Shells are usually large-caliber projectiles fired by artillery, combat vehicles, and warships. The shape is usually a cylinder topped by a cone, tipped with an ogive-shaped nose for good aerodynamic performance, and possibly with a tapering base; but some specialized types differ widely.
context_section_description: There are many different types of shells. The principal ones include:
caption: Palliser shot for the BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I - VII, 1886
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