Poland Tests Indigenous Extended-Range 155 mm Artillery Shell

The Polish defense company WB Group has carried out the first tests of prototype extended-range 155 mm artillery shells.

The firing trials were conducted at a foreign test range using inert rounds, allowing engineers to study the shells’ flight behavior without an explosive payload, according to Dziennik Zbrojny.

During the tests, the shells achieved a range of 17 kilometers when fired with a maximum propellant charge and at higher gun elevation angles. The primary goal of this phase was to evaluate structural durability and trajectory stability under highly complicating conditions.

The next testing phase is scheduled for January 2026, when shells fitted with a base-bleed gas generator are expected to reach ranges of up to 40 kilometers.

Approximately 1,500 rounds will be produced for the test program, enabling multiple firing trials and the collection of data required for certification. The entire certification process is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The gas generators that provide extended range are an in-house development of WB Group. A total of 20 prototypes have already been produced and have successfully completed bench testing, with operational use planned for early 2026.

Following certification in 2026, WB Group plans to launch serial production, starting with 5,000–10,000 units and increasing to 50,000–100,000 units in 2027.