Skybird
07-18-07, 03:03 PM
http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbforums/showthread.php?t=10476
The author of this thread has linked to 18 pictures that illustrate the results of gunnery tests the Bundeswehr conducted after the german reunification with Czech-made T-72s. The ammunition used was some older German DM-33 SABOT, if I remember correctly, but small calibre like 16 mm as well (which surprisingly penetrated the turret front and exited through the turret's rear and led the Russians to reinforce their tanks additionall).
The level of destruction and penetration power of these rounds is frightening. Makes you think twice if you really ever want to ride in a tank. The latest German Tungsten-SABOT design is said to come very close to the American uran-ammunition - I have read that in two places over the last 6 months, and it also is reflected in the according variables of SBP.
Russia uses neither Uran nor Tungsten (too expensive for it's large tank fleet), but Steel penetrators. Lighter in weight, they initially travel faster, but loose in speed and precision earlier than western rounds. This is why modern US and German rounds have a range advantage (which partially is compensated by the Russian's use of laser-guided mini-missiles fired via the tank gun).
seeing these pictures and considering the fact that American Abrams tanks were repeatedly heavily damaged by RPG-7s in iraq, I wonder what would be a realistic assessement of modern Western armour protection. In SBP, those damn tank missiles the T-80 is firing through the gun barrel can kill a Leopard 2A5 or Abrams at ranges of 4500+ meters - with a frontal hit. Not bad for a non-kinetic ammunition with explosive warhead and a smaller size than a standard HEAT round. Has anyone visual results of Russian SABOT hammering Western armour...? :)
The author of this thread has linked to 18 pictures that illustrate the results of gunnery tests the Bundeswehr conducted after the german reunification with Czech-made T-72s. The ammunition used was some older German DM-33 SABOT, if I remember correctly, but small calibre like 16 mm as well (which surprisingly penetrated the turret front and exited through the turret's rear and led the Russians to reinforce their tanks additionall).
The level of destruction and penetration power of these rounds is frightening. Makes you think twice if you really ever want to ride in a tank. The latest German Tungsten-SABOT design is said to come very close to the American uran-ammunition - I have read that in two places over the last 6 months, and it also is reflected in the according variables of SBP.
Russia uses neither Uran nor Tungsten (too expensive for it's large tank fleet), but Steel penetrators. Lighter in weight, they initially travel faster, but loose in speed and precision earlier than western rounds. This is why modern US and German rounds have a range advantage (which partially is compensated by the Russian's use of laser-guided mini-missiles fired via the tank gun).
seeing these pictures and considering the fact that American Abrams tanks were repeatedly heavily damaged by RPG-7s in iraq, I wonder what would be a realistic assessement of modern Western armour protection. In SBP, those damn tank missiles the T-80 is firing through the gun barrel can kill a Leopard 2A5 or Abrams at ranges of 4500+ meters - with a frontal hit. Not bad for a non-kinetic ammunition with explosive warhead and a smaller size than a standard HEAT round. Has anyone visual results of Russian SABOT hammering Western armour...? :)