OF23 cargo projectile

The OF23 cargo projectile is a Soviet/Russian 152 mm cargo artillery projectile used in the ammunition set for the 2A65 Msta-B and related 152 mm howitzers. Public references describe it as a spin-stabilized, base-eject submunition carrier round with 42 HEAT bomblets, a 42.8 kg projectile mass, and a maximum range of about 26 km when fired by the 2A65.

OF23 cargo projectile, 152 mm cargo artillery projectile, Munitions

Image source: 152mm lime-colored projectile

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union / Russia
Built by: Soviet UnionRussia
Type: 152 mm cargo artillery projectile
Service note: Cold War-present

artillerysubmunitionsprojectile indirect fire

Specifications

Caliber: 152 mm
Projectile mass: 42.8 kg
Maximum range: About 26 km when fired by the 2A65 Msta-B
Payload: 42 HEAT bomblets
Bomblet effect: Each bomblet reportedly penetrates 100 mm of conventional steel armour
Projectile type: Spin-stabilized, base-eject submunition carrier projectile

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: A Soviet/Russian 152 mm cargo projectile for artillery systems such as the 2A65 Msta-B.

Firing Weapons

Public references place the OF23 cargo projectile in the 2A65 Msta-B ammunition set.

Firing weapon

Weapon type

Firing evidence

152 mm towed howitzer

The 2A65 Msta-B article says the howitzer can fire the OF23 cargo projectile and lists it among the gun's 152 mm ammunition types.

Sources: 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B

OF23 cargo projectile Images

OF23 cargo projectile, 152 mm cargo artillery projectile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 152mm lime-colored projectile

OF23 cargo projectile, 152 mm cargo artillery projectile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 152 mm shell RUK-museo.JPG

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Sources

152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-BPublisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports the OF23 cargo projectile being listed in the 2A65 Msta-B ammunition table, including its mass, range, bomblet payload, and 2A65 firing relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 152mm O 23 Projectile - CAT-UXOPublisher: CAT-UXO | Note: Supports the 152 mm 3-O-23 designation and its description as a spin-stabilized, base-eject submunition carrier projectile. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 152mm lime-colored projectilePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY 4.0 licensing for the representative 152 mm projectile photo used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 152 mm shell RUK-museo.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for the secondary 152 mm projectile image in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-23