In warfare, high-explosive incendiary (HEI) is a type of
ammunition
Ammunition, also known as ammo, is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. The term includes both expendable weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles, grenades, land mines), and the component parts of oth ...
specially designed to impart energy and therefore damage to its target in one or both of two ways: via a high-explosive charge and/or via its incendiary (fire-causing) effects. Each round—by definition—has both capabilities.
HEI ammunition is
fused either mechanically or chemically. The armor-piercing ability can vary widely, allowing for more focused fragmentation or larger scatter.
History
HEI ammunition was originally developed for use in large-
caliber
In guns, particularly firearms, but not #As a measurement of length, artillery, where a different definition may apply, caliber (or calibre; sometimes abbreviated as "cal") is the specified nominal internal diameter of the gun barrel Gauge ( ...
cannon
A cannon is a large-caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder during th ...
,
howitzer
The howitzer () is an artillery weapon that falls between a cannon (or field gun) and a mortar. It is capable of both low angle fire like a field gun and high angle fire like a mortar, given the distinction between low and high angle fire break ...
and naval
artillery
Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch Ammunition, munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and l ...
. Currently, HEI rounds are most commonly made in medium-caliber sizes of
20,
25,
30, and
35 mm. They are fired from various platforms, including aircraft,
anti-aircraft cannons, and
anti-missile systems.
HEI ammunition has also been used on the battlefield against tanks and other armored vehicles, but mostly in a last ditch attempt to disable external components.
Uses
HEI rounds are mainly used in incendiary rounds against softer targets such as aircraft, infantry, and unarmored vehicles.
See also
*
High explosive incendiary/armor piercing ammunition (HEIAP)
*
Mine shell
*
Raufoss Mk 211
References
External links
{{commons, Ammunition
Live fire experiment of mechanically fuzed HEI roundsExample of NATO 35×228mm HEI round
from Nammo
Fragmentation pattern of a German Round
Artillery ammunition
Anti-tank rounds
Explosive_weapons
Incendiary weapons