High-explosive incendiary

The armor-piercing ability can vary widely, allowing for more focused fragmentation or larger scatter.

HEI ammunition was originally developed for use in large-caliber cannon, howitzer and naval artillery.

They are fired from various platforms, including aircraft, anti-aircraft cannons, and anti-missile systems, as well as common battlefield howitzers, though the latter has gone through a recent decline in use.

Recently, API (armour-piercing incendiary) shells have been used; these penetrate targets using the kinetic properties of the round before the incendiary round goes off, smothering the crew in flames, cooking off ammunition and igniting combustible materials, generally destroying the target.

Incendiary shells are no longer in use by many countries due to bans on the use of phosphorus weapons.