🔫🔥 Comparison Between the Effects of HE and HESH Shells on Moderately Thick Steel Armor Plates

HE (High-Explosive) shells are designed to detonate upon impact, while HESH (High-Explosive Squash Head) rounds use a delayed-action fuze, allowing the shell to remain in contact with the armor surface for a longer duration before exploding.

Many people assume that standard HE shells can cause spalling (fragmentation of the inner armor surface) in the same way HESH rounds do, but this is not accurate. The mechanism and function of HESH are significantly different from regular HE projectiles. HESH works by spreading its plastic explosive content over the armor surface before detonation, creating a wide contact area. When it explodes, the energy is transferred more efficiently into the armor.

This results in powerful shockwaves passing through the armor plate, causing chunks and fragments to break off from the inner surface — without the projectile needing to penetrate the armor itself. In contrast, regular HE shells detonate on contact via the shell’s fuze, interacting with the armor primarily at the surface. This interaction prevents much of the explosive energy from entering the plate; instead, it disperses into the surrounding air. That’s why HE shells have more pronounced effects on external components of armored vehicles — antennas, optics, tracks — but often leave thick armor plates structurally intact even after direct hits.

Only HESH ammunition can destroy armor so effectively without penetrating it, thanks to its superior energy transfer. The immense amount of energy delivered by HESH can pass through even thick armor plates without significant dissipation, causing internal spalling. In contrast, HE shells can only produce spalling on thin armor and are largely ineffective against heavy plating in this regard.


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