Olympus-OM
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [OM] Aircraft ammunition pictures [OT for Oly list]

Subject: Re: [OM] Aircraft ammunition pictures [OT for Oly list]
From: "W. J. Liles" <wliles@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 18:42:16 -0600
Ray Moth wrote:
> 
> Since this thread is irretrievably OT, I've been tempted to ask this
> question. I'm sure at least one of our resident experts will know the
> answer: What's with this depleted uranium ammunition scare? Is DU used
> solely because of its density - a way of making heavier projectiles
> without having to make them wider or longer? Or is there some other
> property that makes it particularly devastating against armour?
> 
> Just curious, regards
>
Depleted Uranium is mostly U-238 and is not terribly radioactive.  It
is, however, very dense and can be made very hard so it funcions as an
extremely effective kinetic penetrator round against armor, much better
than tungsten.  The tanks that use the Nato 120mm smoothbore gun use a
depleted uranium penetrator round that is merely a fin stablized rod. 
It will perforate a Soviet era T-72 from stem to stern.  Aircraft, such
as the A-10 Warthog, use DU in 30 mm cannon for the same reason and are
effective because top armor is thin.  The 30mm gun , even with DU, would
only scratch the front glacis of a modern tank.

Jerry Liles



< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Sponsored by Tako
Impressum | Datenschutz