Field day in Ustka ends with a major success!
On 2 September 2026, the Central Air Force Training Range in Ustka hosted the most important test in the history of the joint project between Military Institute of Armament Technology and PGO
After successful fragmentation tests carried out in March this year at the training range in Zielonka, two firing trials using a ballistic gun at the WITU Testing and Research Centre in Stalowa Wola, and another verification of the strength parameters of the bodies with an enhanced TCS propelling charge, conducted at the end of August in Niewiadów, the time came to verify the range parameters.
The preparations involved several dozen WITU personnel, support from the Polish Navy in securing the training range, as well as representatives of the parties interested in the project, including NIEWIADÓW PGM. A few minutes after 11:00 a.m., a series of shots began from a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer made available that day specifically for testing our projectiles.
After a short wait, the first report came in: the projectile had exceeded 30 km while maintaining high velocity and stable pressure parameters. Subsequent firing series confirmed an average distance safely above 30 km, providing assurance of the repeatability and stability of both the concept and the design. These distances allow us to clearly summarise the test results as a major success for the Hollow Base projectiles.
It was a remarkable afternoon and a historic moment for WITU, PGO and our partners from NIEWIADÓW.
From today, without hesitation, we are preparing for the next milestones, including an analysis of the possibility of using a base bleed unit, with the goal of completing the full project validation process and entering a new chapter of cooperation.
NEW CHAPTER: A STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN POLISH INDUSTRY AND WITU’S TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
From the first fragmentation test of the projectile body, which took place in March this year, to the present day, very significant progress has been made. WITU, PGO and Niewiadów PGM are jointly implementing a project for a Polish-designed 155 mm ammunition system. Representatives of the national defence champion from Niewiadów were also present in Ustka, where the first integrated Polish 155 mm projectile was tested through joint efforts for range, grouping and correct functioning.
This unprecedented event was commented on by Mr Dariusz Szlafka, Director of Niewiadów PGM, who was present at the training range:
“We are on the right track to bring the project quickly to commercialisation and offer it to the Polish Armed Forces. The 155 mm ammunition in the version currently being tested at training ranges is a fully Polish design with operational parameters matching those of systems used in NATO. The advantage of this ammunition is the ability to launch fast, large-scale production in Polish plants. PGO and Niewiadów are prepared to move from the research and development phase to the production phase.”
After two years of project work, the key industrial centres from the metallurgical sector, PGO, and the defence sector, Niewiadów PGM, are joining forces under the patronage of and in cooperation with WITU in the project of the first Polish 155 mm projectile compatible with the K9 and AHS KRAB platforms.
We sincerely thank everyone who worked hard that day and contributed to our genuine achievement: confirming the enormous resources and competences within Polish industry in support of national defence in the ammunition domain.
