Russia’s Defense Ministry has patented a new artillery smoke shell and already put the design through field trials. According to patent documents reviewed by TASS, the munition was developed to address shortcomings identified in the French LU217MS 155 mm smoke round used with the Caesar self-propelled artillery system.

The Russian shell is designed to create smoke screens and obstruct the visibility of enemy equipment and positions. Its intended targets include firing positions, optical devices, command posts and observation points.

The munition is also designed to interfere with electro-optical reconnaissance, targeting and weapon-control systems operating in the infrared spectrum.

Patent documentation states that field trials confirmed the viability of the technical solutions incorporated into the design.

The developers said the project was intended to eliminate shortcomings of the LU217MS round and create a smoke-producing shell for higher-power artillery systems. The design is intended to deliver the required smoke-screen parameters while improving operational efficiency and reliability.

The shell features a body with a special blind groove running along its inner cylindrical surface, a detachable base and a time fuze. Its construction also includes an ejection device and slotted elements containing a smoke-producing composition, along with ignition channels forming part of an axial ignition system.