Just had to add my two cents on the 30mm shells used in the Phalanx system
and the likes of Warthog gattling guns.
Its my understanding that the shells use the materials so they can be so
dense- its the density that is key. Accounts from the Gulf war confirm that
in fact they do not melt at all, but because of their molecular strength
and density, via kinetic energy, they are able to punch through armor much
better than other muntions.
Common experience in combat was that the shells had enough energy to punch
through the armor once- by design, but not the shape or energy to punch
through again. BAD NEWS for the tank crews. The remainder of the energy in
the form of velocity would be taken out as the round ricochets around inside
the armored vehicle- especially tanks.
This explains why Gulf War soldiers that came on to knocked out Iraqi tanks
in the field frequently found rather horrid scenes of carnage inside- brains
and guts and bone and tissue literally spayed everywhere- with metal parts
and anything else inside that got in the way.
Not a pretty picture- but one the horrible truths of being caught in a tank
in modern warfare.
There are other types of anti tank shells that actually force molten copper
through a small hole on impact and spray the inside of the tank- not very
pleasant either- that is all metalurgy and materials engineering. The UD
shells use denseness and energy to rip the guts of the tank, and its crew,
to bits. UGH.
Anyone selling a 40f2?
Dave
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