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High-velocity penetration: Why are tank APFSDS rounds so deadly?
In modern warfare, the protection and lethal strike capabilities of armored vehicles have received increasing attention, and tanks, as the core of ground combat, must deal with various threats. The emergence of APFSDS (Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot) ammunition is a direct reflection of this demand. This bullet design consisting of "kinetic penetrating bullets" is specially designed to attack the protective system of modern armored vehicles, and has become the mainstay of tank firepower with its excellent penetration and accuracy.
APFSDS ammunition is not just an improved version of armor-penetrating ammunition. Its design concept is closely related to many technological advances, especially in the propulsion system and suspension structure.
Since World War II, modern main battle tanks have continued to increase in armor thickness through powerful propulsion systems and suspension methods, yet they can still maintain mobility and speed on the battlefield. In order to effectively penetrate this armor, the ammunition must have a higher muzzle velocity and a longer penetrating rocket body. This led to the creation of APFSDS ammunition, which is based on the design concept of a long and thin penetrating object as a highly kinetic tip.
The historical background of APFSDS ammunition shows that early armor penetration designs were based on the Armor Penetrating Disposable Round (APDS). The original intention of designing the warhead to be longer and thinner is to increase its cross-sectional density and concentrate the kinetic energy into a smaller area. Although this enhances the penetration capability, the long warhead may flip due to aerodynamic instability during flight, reducing the hit rate. The traditional method stabilizes the warhead by rotating the barrel, but this has limited effect on penetrating arrow bodies that are too long. To this end, designers added fins to the end of the projectile, like arrow feathers, to gain stability.
Launching APFSDS ammunition in smooth-rifled artillery can avoid rotation and reduce ballistic performance, further improving penetration effects.
APFSDS ammunition is usually about 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter and can reach 80 centimeters in length. The design of this long-rod penetrator is not only the application of key technologies, but also the advancement of modern armor technology. As the firing speed of the artillery increases, the penetration power also increases. The penetration effect of long rod penetrators on armor is more obvious under high-speed impact. This is because the water flow effect caused by high speed makes the crystal structure of the target form a fluid state, making it easier for the warhead to break through the armor's defense.
The materials most commonly used for APFSDS are tungsten alloys or attrited aluminum alloys. The properties of these two materials include high density, high hardness and toughness, which make them difficult to break. On the other hand, they can effectively improve penetration capabilities. In particular, the depleted aluminum alloy has self-ignition characteristics and can cause an explosion inside the target vehicle after impact, further increasing its lethality.
Both tungsten and attenuated aluminum alloys have excellent deep penetration capabilities, making them the preferred weapons for attacking modern armored vehicles.
The design challenges of APFSDS ammunition are not limited to the warhead itself, the design of the cartridge case is also crucial. In order to match the extremely long penetration, the cartridge case needs to be specially designed to ensure stability and integrity when fired. The lighter the cartridge case, the faster the ammunition is fired and the impact on the target is reduced. However, the excited exhaust begins to form strong thrust, which not only makes starting more difficult, but may also affect its flight trajectory. Therefore, how to balance the weight and rigidity of the cartridge case has become a problem that engineers must consider.
With the advancement of this ammunition technology, countries have intensively invested resources in the research and development of APFSDS ammunition. Whether it is the needs of the battlefield or the modernization of equipment, APFSDS ammunition has demonstrated its irreplaceable status. It not only improves the tank's strike firepower, but also has a profound impact on future warfare methods.
In such a rapidly changing era, how will the confrontation technology between tanks and armor further evolve, and how will it affect the future battlefield pattern and the development of weapon systems?
