multiprojectile

Multiprojectile is a term used to describe a weapon or munition that delivers several individual projectiles from a single actuation. The concept spans historical artillery, small arms, and modern ordnance, as well as simulation and gaming contexts.

In historical and conventional weapons, multiprojectile designs produce a wide field of fire or a high probability of impact over a broad area. Canister and grapeshot in cannons released a cluster of metal projectiles from a single shell. In small arms, shotgun ammunition is a common multiprojectile system, using numerous pellets that spread after leaving the muzzle. Modern multiprojectile concepts also appear as payloads that release multiple submunitions or canisters, expanding the effective footprint of a single deployment.

In contemporary contexts, multiprojectile systems can be used to increase hit probability, cover a larger area, or deliver multiple effects from one launch. Submunition payloads and certain cluster munitions fall under this umbrella, though their use is subject to legal and ethical considerations in many jurisdictions.

In games and simulations, multiprojectile refers to a single weapon or ability that spawns several projectiles, producing spread patterns, multi-target damage, or overlapping trajectories. This abstraction helps model realistic dispersal, area denial, or synchronized strikes without relying on physical hardware.

See also: grapeshot, canister shot, flechette, shotgun, submunition, cluster munition.