Arty Smoke Info Request
 

Anyone knows or have any sources about average or specific duration of artillery delivered smoke in real life? I`m looking for two values: how long is the "burn time" for smoke shells, meaning how long it generates smoke after landing? Second value is the theoretical time it takes for dense smoke cloud to dissolve in calm weather?

Regads
Robert

Re: Arty Smoke Info Request
 

According to GlobalSecurity.org, typical 105 and 155mm smoke shells burn for 40 to 90 seconds and screen for less than 15 minutes. That's for different shells apparently, and I'm not sure that info is up to date with the latest rounds. It's consistent nevertheless with the data I found on AFV-delivered smoke grenades, which burn for around 10-15 seconds and last around 5 minutes, depending on the wind. These grenades are much smaller and have a lighter payload than arty shells, of course.
Also consider that different technologies will have different effects. These shells quoted above as burning for around 1 minute are chemical-based smoke-emitting canisters. I don't know much about the chemistry involved, but obviously a WP burster will burn for much less time.

Hope this helps.

Re: Arty Smoke Info Request *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by baggypants

Re: Arty Smoke Info Request
 

Thanks a lot for the info guys, I appreciate big time. Keep it coming!

Regards
Robert

Re: Arty Smoke Info Request
 

My brief research led me to the following info:

"Real-world individual white phosphorus (WP) smoke rounds burn for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes --- other rounds burn 3 to 4 minutes. Duration of artillery smoke after active burning stops depends on number of rounds fired, their distribution, plus environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and wind."

Also, the thermal imaging obscuration of WP smoke fades within seconds.