![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2016) |
Base bleed or base burn (BB)[1] is a system used on some artillery shells to increase range, typically by about 20%–35%. It expels gas into the low-pressure area behind the shell to reduce base drag (it does not produce thrust; if it did it would be a rocket-assisted projectile). Since it extends the range by a percentage, it is more useful on longer-range artillery where an increase of approximately 5–15 kilometres (3.1–9.3 mi) can be achieved, and it also was found that the reduced turbulence gave the projectiles a more consistent trajectory, resulting in tighter grouping, and efficient shelling more than 40 kilometres (25 mi) away.
Base bleed technology was developed in Sweden in the mid-1960s but took some time to spread and find its niche between cheaper classical ordnance and even more expensive rocket-assisted projectiles. It is now a fairly common option.[2][3]
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) (