| From: | Robert Watkins robert.watkins@******.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | exchange rates, and APDS...pronounced APP-ee-das ? : ) |
| Date: | Tue, 23 Feb 1999 10:38:42 +1000 |
> some sort of case-shedding contraption? my friend thinks they would be
> comprised of depleted uranium, but I'm not so sure that's the case. I
> personally have no clue how physically an APDS is constructed, any ideas?
It is indeed a "some sort of case-shedding contraption".
In an APDS bullet, you have a hard, dense core (the 'armour piercing'
portion), surrounded by a jacket that will come off when fired (the
'discarding sabot' portion). On being fired, the sabot will strip away from
the dense core. This causes the bullet to become more stable or something,
or possibly reduces the friction... I'm not exactly up on ammo design.
Modern APDS rounds are used in tank ammo, and there the core is, in fact,
depleted uranium. One of the qualities of depleted uranium is that when you
slam a bullet made out of it into a tank, it will combust, transferring a
lot more energy into the tank than a lead bullet (which would bounce off in
many cases). That's why tanks like it. However, it's bloody expensive, and
DU wouldn't be so effective against a "soft" target like someone in a full
suit of armour. So, no, APDS rounds for guns do not use DU. I think they use
tungsten, but don't quote me.
--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
