What does BB stand for?

Fitted with a 52-calibre ordnance, or a 57-calibre ordnance with a special muzzle break, the weapon has a maximum range of 24,000 metres firing standard ammunition or 30,000 firing base bleed ammunition.

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It uses an inductively set fuze with three modes--point detonation, variable time and delay--and base bleed to achieve extended ranges, 35 to 40 kilometers, from digitized 155-mm platforms.

The family includes a Base Bleed (BB) HE projectile with a maximum range of 17,500 metres, the unassisted HE projectile reaching out to 15,000.

Assegai ranges are considerable once base bleed (or base burn -- BB) units are added to the projectile bases.

While an extended barrel length does not necessarily entail a greater possible range, the simultaneous introduction of other ballistic innovations, such as increased capacity chambers, improved propellants and projectile aerodynamics, plus rocket motors or base bleed (BB) units, means that it is now possible to think in terms of howitzers having maximum ranges reaching 50 000 metres, or even more.

If the 52-calibre 155 mm howitzers are used to fire standard HE rounds fitted with drag-reducing base bleed units, they should achieve 50 km ranges.