Editing Shell (projectile) (section)

===Non-lethal shells===
Not all shells are designed to kill or destroy. The following types are designed to achieve particular non-lethal effects. They are not completely harmless: smoke and illumination shells can accidentally start fires, and impact by the discarded carrier of all three types can wound or kill personnel, or cause minor damage to property.

====Smoke====
Smoke shells are used to create [[smoke screen]]s to mask movements of friendly forces or disorient enemies, or to mark specific areas. The main types are bursting (using a payload powdered chemicals) and base ejection (delivering three or four smoke canisters which are deployed from the rear of the shell prior to impact, or a single canister containing submunitions distributed via a bursting charge). Base ejection shells are a type of carrier shell or cargo munition.

Base ejection smoke is usually white, however, colored smoke has been used for marking purposes. The original canisters typically used [[hexachloroethane]]-[[zinc]] (HC), modern ones use [[Allotropes of phosphorus#Red phosphorus|red phosphorus]] because of its multi-spectral properties. However, other compounds have been used; in World War II, Germany used [[Oleum#Explosives manufacture|oleum]] (fuming [[sulfuric acid]]) and [[pumice]].

Due to the nature of their payload, powder smoke shells using [[white phosphorus]] in particular have a secondary effect as [[incendiary device|incendiary]] weapons, though they are not as effective in this role as dedicated weapons using [[thermite]].

==== Illumination ====<!-- This section is linked from [[Starshell]] and [[Star shell]] -->
[[File:British 4 inch 35 lb star shell 1943 diagram.jpg|thumb|upright|British World War&nbsp;II 4-inch naval illuminating shell, showing [[Artillery fuze#Time fuzes|time fuze]] (orange, top), illuminating compound (green) and parachute (white, bottom)]]
Modern illuminating shells are a type of carrier shell or cargo munition. Those used in World War&nbsp;I were shrapnel pattern shells ejecting small burning "pots".

A modern illumination shell has a time fuze that ejects a flare "package" through the base of the carrier shell at a standard height above ground (typically about 600&nbsp;metres), from where it slowly falls beneath a non-flammable [[parachute]], illuminating the area below. The ejection process also initiates a [[pyrotechnics|pyrotechnic]] flare emitting white or "black" [[infrared]] light.

[[File:Flares fired by M777 howitzers to illuminate during Operation Tora Arwa V in the Kandahar province Aug. 2 2009.jpg|thumb|left|Illumination rounds fired from a [[M777 howitzer]]]]
Typically illumination flares burn for about 60&nbsp;seconds. These are also known as ''star shells''. Infrared illumination is a more recent development used to enhance the performance of night-vision devices. Both white- and black-light illuminating shells may be used to provide continuous illumination over an area for a period of time and may use several dispersed aimpoints to illuminate a large area. Alternatively, firing single illuminating shells may be coordinated with the adjustment of HE shell fire onto a target.

Colored flare shells have also been used for target marking and other signaling purposes.
{{clear}}

====Carrier====
The carrier shell is simply a hollow carrier equipped with a fuze that ejects the contents at a calculated time. They are often filled with [[airborne leaflet propaganda|leaflet]]s (see external links), but can be filled with anything that meets the weight restrictions and is able to withstand the shock of firing. Famously, on Christmas Day 1899 during the [[siege of Ladysmith]], the [[Afrikaner|Boer]]s fired into Ladysmith a carrier shell without a fuze, which contained a [[Christmas pudding]], two [[Union Flag]]s and the message "compliments of the season". The shell is still kept in the museum at Ladysmith.

====Proof shot====
{{Main|Proof test}}
A [[proof shot]] is not used in combat but to confirm that a new gun barrel can withstand operational stresses. The proof shot is heavier than a normal shot or shell, and an oversize propelling charge is used, subjecting the barrel to greater than normal stress. The proof shot is inert (no explosive or functioning filling) and is often a solid unit, although water, sand or iron powder filled versions may be used for testing the gun mounting. Although the proof shot resembles a functioning shell (of whatever sort), so that it behaves as a real shell in the barrel, it is not aerodynamic as its job is over once it has left the muzzle of the gun. Consequently, it travels a much shorter distance and is usually stopped by an earth bank, for safety.

The gun, operated remotely for safety in case it fails, fires the proof shot, and is then inspected for damage. If the barrel passes the examination, "[[proof mark]]s" are added to the barrel. The gun can be expected to handle normal ammunition, which subjects it to less stress than the proof shot, without being damaged.