Ammunition
Ammunition is any object fired or launched from a gun or some other weapon. Such objects, also called projectiles, include cartridges, shells, and rockets. Weapons that fire projectiles include handguns, cannons, and rocket launchers. Guided missiles and torpedos are also examples of ammunition, but this article does not discuss them.
Most kinds of ammunition contain a propellant, which is an explosive or a fuel that provides the force to send the projectile to its target. Nearly all ammunition also has a primer, a small amount of an explosive that detonates (explodes) and ignites the propellant. Some types of ammunition contain an additional explosive that shatters the projectile when it reaches the target, thus increasing the damage.
Ammunition can be classified into three types, according to its effects: (1) penetrators, (2) high explosives, and (3) carrier projectiles. Penetrators pierce targets using a single bullet. High explosives burst before hitting their target, fragmenting into thousands of penetrating pieces or becoming a high-speed jet of molten metal. Carrier projectiles break open near the target to deliver leaflets, radar-deceiving materials, or submunitions (small ammunition).
Ammunition can also be categorized by the kind of weapon from which it is fired. Categorized this way, the main types of ammunition are (1) small-arms, (2) artillery, and (3) armored-vehicle ammunition.