Sub-caliber ammunition: shells and bullets, principle of operation, description and history. Sub-caliber projectiles of the present and future What does a sub-caliber projectile mean

And passive (pallet), made according to the caliber of the gun. For the first BPS, the pallet was an integral part of the projectile, but already in 1944, British ammunition designers developed their modern modification - armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile with a separating pallet from the active part after it exits the bore. BPS with separating pallet - basic anti-tank projectile in the ammunition of modern tanks. Armor-piercing sub-caliber shells with an integral pallet also continue to be used, but in more as ammunition for automatic small-caliber guns, where the implementation of a pallet separating from the active part is difficult or impossible. There are BPS stabilized in flight by rotation and plumage.

English designations for BPS types

In foreign, and after them in domestic publications on the relevant topic, the following abbreviations are often used English designations BPS types:

• APCR - A rmour- P iercing C composite R igid (armor-piercing composite rigid) - BPS with an integral pallet and a harder active part (core);
• APCNR - A rmour- P iercing C composite N on- R igid (armor-piercing composite non-rigid) - BPS with an integral collapsible pallet and a harder active part (core) for artillery pieces with a conical bore;
• APDS - A rmour- P iercing D iscarding S abot (armor-piercing sub-caliber with a detachable pallet);
• APFSDS, APDS-FS - A rmour- P iercing D iscarding S abot- F in- S tabilized (armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber with a detachable pallet).

Armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectiles (BOPS, OBPS)

With the adoption of the T-62 medium tank, the USSR became the first country in the world to massively use armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber ammunition (BOPS) in tank ammunition. Due to the extremely high speed and long range direct shot.

Armor-piercing shells for the 115-mm gun U-5TS (2A20) were superior in armor penetration at an angle of 60 degrees. from the normal, the best sub-caliber shells for rifled guns by 30% and had a direct shot range 1.6 times greater than regular ones. However, unitary rounds for the GSP U-5TS did not allow to fully realize the potential in terms of rate of fire and reduction of the internal armored volume of a promising tank, in addition, due to the increased gas contamination of the T-62 fighting compartment, the designers were forced to resort to a mechanism for removing spent cartridges, which somewhat reduced tank speed. Thus, the problem of automating the process of loading a tank gun became urgent, which, along with an increase in the rate of fire, significantly reduced the internal volume, and, consequently, security.

At the beginning of 1961, work began on the creation of 115-mm separate-loading rounds with OBPS, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles for gun D-68 (2A21).

Completion of work on the creation of separate loading shots for the D-68 gun, installed in a new medium tank with mechanized loading, was successfully completed, and the newly created ammunition was put into mass production in 1964.

In 1966, the T-64 tank with the D-68 gun and new shots for it was put into service.

However, for a number of reasons, the 115 mm caliber gun of the T-64 tank was considered insufficient to ensure guaranteed destruction of promising foreign tanks. Perhaps the reason was an overestimated assessment of the armor resistance of the new, most powerful English tank of that period, the Chieftain, as well as fears of the imminent entry into service of the promising American-German MBT-70 tank, which was never put into service. For these reasons, an improved version of the T-64 tank was created, which received the designation T-64A and was adopted by the Soviet Army in May 1968. The tank was armed with a 125 mm D-81T (2A26) gun developed in 1962 at the plant number 172 (Perm) in OKB-9 under the leadership of F.F. Petrov.

Subsequently, this gun, which deserved a lot positive feedback for their high technical and performance characteristics underwent numerous upgrades aimed at further growth of its characteristics. Upgraded versions of the D-81T (2A26) gun such as 2A46M, 2A46M-1, 2A46M-2, 2A46M-4 are the main armament domestic tanks to this day.

The beginning of the 60s and the end of the seventies, the adoption of OBPS stabilized by plumage.

The period of the late 60s and late seventies was characterized by the evolutionary development of foreign tanks, the best of which had a homogeneous armor shield within 200 (Leopard-1A1), 250 (M60) and 300 (Chieftain) millimeters of armor. Their ammunition included BPS for 105 mm L7 guns (and its American counterpart M68) and 120 mm L-11 rifled gun of the Chieftain tank.

At the same time, a number of OBPS for 115 and 125 mm GSP tanks T-62, T-64 and T-64, as well as 100 mm smoothbore anti-tank guns T-12, entered service in the USSR.

Among them were shells of two modifications: solid-shell and having a carbide core.

One-piece OBPS 3BM2 for PTP T-12, 3BM6 for GSP U-5TS of the T-62 tank, as well as one-piece OBPS for 125 mm GSP 3BM17, which was intended primarily for export and crew training.

OBPS with a carbide core included 3BM3 for the GSP U-5TS of the T-62 tank, 125 mm OBPS 3BM15, 3BM22 for the T-64A / T-72 / T-80 tanks.

Second generation (late 70s and 80s)

In 1977, work began to improve the combat effectiveness of tank artillery rounds. The staging of these works was associated with the need to defeat new types of reinforced armor protection developed abroad for a new generation of M1 Abrams and Leopard-2 tanks. The development of new design schemes for OBPS has begun, ensuring the defeat of a monolithic combined armor in a wide range of angles of a projectile meeting with armor, as well as overcoming remote sensing.

Other tasks included improving the aerodynamic qualities of the projectile in flight in order to reduce drag, as well as increasing its muzzle velocity.

The development of new alloys based on tungsten and depleted uranium with improved physical and mechanical characteristics continued. The results obtained from these research projects made it possible at the end of the 70s to begin the development of new OBPS with an improved master device, which ended with the adoption of the Nadezhda, Vant and Mango OBPS for the 125-mm GSP D-81.

One of the main differences between the new OBPS compared to those developed before 1977 was a new master device with sectors of the "clamp" type using aluminum alloy and polymer materials.

In OBPS, before that, leading devices with steel sectors of the "expanding" type were used.

In 1984, the OBPS 3VBM13 "Vant" was developed with the 3BM32 projectile of increased efficiency, "Vant" became the first domestic monoblock OBPS made of a uranium alloy with high physical and mechanical properties.

OBPS "Mango" was developed specifically to destroy tanks with combined and dynamic protection. The design of the projectile uses a highly efficient combined core made of tungsten alloy placed in a steel casing, between which there is a layer of low-melting alloy.

The projectile is able to overcome dynamic protection and reliably hit the complex composite armor of tanks that entered service in the late 70s and until the mid-80s.

In terms of the development of BOPS since the late nineties, a lot of work has been done, the backlog of which was BOPS 3BM39 "Anker" and 3BM48 "Lead". These shells were significantly superior to such BOPS as Mango and Vant, the main difference was the new principles of the reference system in the bore and the core with a significantly increased elongation.

The new projectile guidance system in the bore not only allowed the use of longer cores, but also made it possible to improve their aerodynamic properties.

It was these products that served as the basis for the creation of modern domestic OBPS of a new generation. The results obtained from these works served as a basis for the creation of new, modern projectiles.

After the collapse of the USSR in the early 90s, a sharp degradation of the domestic military-industrial complex began, which had a particularly painful effect on the industry for the production of new types of ammunition. During this period, the issue of modernizing the ammunition load of both domestic and exported tanks arose. The development, as well as small-scale production of domestic BPS, continued, however, mass introduction and large-scale production of new generation BPS samples were not carried out. Positive trends in some aspects of this issue have emerged only recently.

Due to the lack of modern BPS, a number of countries with a large fleet of domestic tanks armed with a 125 mm gun have made their own attempts to develop BPS.

The term "sub-caliber projectile" is most often used in tank troops. Such shells are used along with cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation. But if earlier there was a division into armor-piercing and sub-caliber ammunition, now it makes sense to talk only about armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles. Let's talk about what a subcaliber is and what are its key features and principle of operation.

basic information

Key difference sub-caliber shells from conventional armored ones in that the diameter of the core, that is, the main part, is less than the caliber of the gun. At the same time, the second main part - the pallet - is made according to the diameter of the gun. The main purpose of such ammunition is to defeat heavily armored targets. Usually this heavy tanks and fortified buildings.

It is worth noting that the armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile has increased penetration due to the high initial flight speed. Also increased the specific pressure when breaking through the armor. To do this, it is desirable to use materials having the highest possible specific gravity as the core. For these purposes, tungsten and depleted uranium are suitable. Stabilization of the flight of the projectile is implemented by plumage. There is nothing new here, since the principle of the flight of an ordinary arrow is used.

Armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile and its description

As we noted above, such ammunition is ideal for firing at tanks. It is interesting that the subcaliber does not have the usual fuse and explosive. The principle of operation of the projectile is completely based on its kinetic energy. In comparison, it is something like a massive high-velocity bullet.

The subcaliber consists of a coil body. A core is inserted into it, which is often made 3 times smaller than the caliber of the gun. High-strength metal-ceramic alloys are used as the core material. If earlier it was tungsten, today depleted uranium is more popular for a number of reasons. During the shot, the pallet takes over the entire load, thereby ensuring the initial flight speed. Since the weight of such a projectile is less than a conventional armor-piercing one, by reducing the caliber, it was possible to increase the flight speed. These are significant values. So, a feathered sub-caliber projectile flies at a speed of 1,600 m/s, while a classic armor-piercing projectile flies at 800-1,000 m/s.

The action of a sub-caliber projectile

Quite interesting is how such ammunition works. During contact with the armor, it creates a small diameter hole in it due to high kinetic energy. Part of the energy is spent on the destruction of the target's armor, and the projectile fragments fly into the armored space. Moreover, the trajectory is similar to a divergent cone. This leads to the fact that the mechanisms and equipment of the equipment fail, the crew is affected. Most importantly, due to high degree Pyrophoric depleted uranium causes numerous fires, which in most cases leads to the complete failure of the combat unit. We can say that the sub-caliber projectile, the principle of which we have considered, has increased armor penetration at long distances. Evidence of this is Operation Desert Storm, when the US Armed Forces used sub-caliber ammunition and hit armored targets at a distance of 3 km.

Varieties of PB shells

Currently, several effective designs of sub-caliber projectiles have been developed, which are used by the armed forces of various countries. In particular, we are talking about the following:

• With non-separable tray. The projectile passes all the way to the target as a single whole. Only the core is involved in the penetration. This solution has not received sufficient distribution due to increased aerodynamic drag. As a result, the armor penetration rate and accuracy drop significantly with the distance to the target.
• With non-detachable tray for conical implements. The essence of this solution is that when passing through the conical shaft, the pallet is crushed. This allows you to reduce aerodynamic drag.
• Sub-caliber projectile with detachable pallet. The bottom line is that the pallet is torn off by air forces or by centrifugal forces (with a rifled gun). This allows you to significantly reduce air resistance in flight.

About cumulatives

For the first time, such ammunition was used by Nazi Germany in 1941. At that time, the USSR did not expect the use of such shells, since their principle of operation, although known, was not yet in service. Key Feature similar projectiles was that they had high armor penetration due to the presence of instantaneous fuses and a cumulative recess. The problem, which was encountered for the first time, was that the projectile rotated during the flight. This led to the dispersion of the cumulative arrow and, as a result, reduced armor penetration. To eliminate the negative effect, it was proposed to use smoothbore guns.

Some interesting facts

It is worth noting that it was in the USSR that arrow-shaped armor-piercing sub-caliber shells were developed. This was a real breakthrough, as it was possible to increase the length of the core. Almost no armor protected from a direct hit of such ammunition. Only a successful angle of inclination of the armor plate and, consequently, its increased thickness in the reduced state could help out. In the end, BOPS had such an advantage as a flat flight path at a distance of up to 4 km and high accuracy.

Conclusion

A cumulative sub-caliber projectile is somewhat similar to a conventional sub-caliber. But in its body it has a fuse and an explosive. When breaking through the armor, such ammunition provides destructive action both equipment and manpower. Currently, the most common shells for cannons with a caliber of 115, 120, 125 mm, as well as artillery pieces of 90, 100 and 105 mm. In general, this is all the information on this topic.

) and 40 tons ("Puma", "Namer"). In this regard, overcoming the armor protection of these vehicles is serious problem for anti-tank ammunition, which include armor-piercing and cumulative projectiles, rockets and rocket-propelled grenades with kinetic and cumulative warheads, as well as striking elements with an impact core.

Among them, armor-piercing sub-caliber shells and missiles with a kinetic warhead are the most effective. Possessing high armor penetration, they differ from other anti-tank munitions in their high approach speed, low sensitivity to the effects of dynamic protection, the relative independence of the weapon guidance system from natural / artificial interference, and low cost. Moreover, these types of anti-tank munitions can be guaranteed to overcome the active protection system of armored vehicles, which is increasingly becoming widespread as a front line for intercepting striking elements.

Currently, only armor-piercing sub-caliber shells have been adopted for service. They are fired mainly from smooth-bore guns of small (30-57 mm), medium (76-125 mm) and large (140-152 mm) calibers. The projectile consists of a two-bearing leading device, the diameter of which coincides with the diameter of the barrel bore, consisting of sections separated after departure from the barrel, and a striking element - an armor-piercing rod, in the bow of which a ballistic tip is installed, in the tail - an aerodynamic stabilizer and a tracer charge.

As the material of the armor-piercing rod, ceramics based on tungsten carbide (density 15.77 g / cc), as well as metal alloys based on uranium (density 19.04 g / cc) or tungsten (density 19.1 g / cc) are used. cc). The diameter of the armor-piercing rod ranges from 30 mm (obsolete models) to 20 mm (modern models). The higher the density of the rod material and the smaller the diameter, the greater the specific pressure exerted by the projectile on the armor at the point of its contact with the front end of the rod.

Metal rods have much greater bending strength than ceramic ones, which is very important when the projectile interacts with active protection shrapnel elements or explosive dynamic protection plates. At the same time, the uranium alloy, despite its somewhat lower density, has an advantage over tungsten - the armor penetration of the first is 15-20 percent greater due to the ablative self-sharpening of the rod in the process of penetrating armor, starting from an impact speed of 1600 m / s, provided by modern cannon shots.

The tungsten alloy begins to exhibit ablative self-sharpening starting at 2000 m/s, requiring new ways to accelerate projectiles. At a lower speed, the front end of the rod flattens out, increasing the penetration channel and reducing the penetration depth of the rod into the armor.

Along with this advantage, the uranium alloy has one drawback - in the event of a nuclear conflict, neutron irradiation penetrating the tank induces secondary radiation in uranium that affects the crew. Therefore, in the arsenal of armor-piercing shells, it is necessary to have models with rods made of both uranium and tungsten alloys, designed for two types of military operations.

Uranium and tungsten alloys also have pyrophoricity - ignition of heated metal dust particles in air after breaking through the armor, which serves as an additional damaging factor. The specified property manifests itself in them, starting from the same speeds as the ablative self-sharpening. Another damaging factor is heavy metal dust, which has a negative biological effect on the crew of enemy tanks.

The leading device is made of aluminum alloy or carbon fiber, the ballistic tip and aerodynamic stabilizer are made of steel. The lead device serves to accelerate the projectile in the bore, after which it is discarded, so its weight must be minimized by using composite materials instead of aluminum alloy. The aerodynamic stabilizer is subjected to thermal effects from the powder gases generated during the combustion of the powder charge, which can affect the accuracy of shooting, and therefore it is made of heat-resistant steel.

The armor penetration of kinetic projectiles and missiles is defined as the thickness of a homogeneous steel plate, set perpendicular to the axis of the projectile's flight, or at a certain angle. In the latter case, the reduced penetration of the equivalent thickness of the plate is ahead of the penetration of the plate, installed along the normal, due to the large specific loads at the entrance and exit of the armor-piercing rod into / out of the inclined armor.

Upon entering the sloping armor, the projectile forms a characteristic roller above the penetration channel. The blades of the aerodynamic stabilizer, collapsing, leave a characteristic "star" on the armor, by the number of rays of which it is possible to determine the belonging of the projectile (Russian - five rays). In the process of breaking through the armor, the rod is intensively ground off and significantly reduces its length. When leaving the armor, it elastically bends and changes the direction of its movement.

A characteristic representative of the penultimate generation of armor-piercing artillery ammunition is the Russian 125-mm separate-loading round 3BM19, which includes a 4Zh63 cartridge case with the main propellant charge and a 3BM44M cartridge case containing an additional propellant charge and the 3BM42M "Lekalo" sub-caliber projectile itself. Designed for use in the 2A46M1 gun and newer modifications. The dimensions of the shot allow it to be placed only in modified versions of the automatic loader.

The ceramic core of the projectile is made of tungsten carbide, placed in a steel protective case. The leading device is made of carbon fiber. As the material of the sleeves (except for the steel pallet of the main propellant charge), cardboard impregnated with trinitrotoluene was used. The length of the cartridge case with the projectile is 740 mm, the length of the projectile is 730 mm, the length of the armor-piercing rod is 570 mm, and the diameter is 22 mm. The weight of the shot is 20.3 kg, the cartridge case with the projectile is 10.7 kg, the armor-piercing rod is 4.75 kg. The initial speed of the projectile is 1750 m / s, armor penetration at a distance of 2000 meters along the normal is 650 mm of homogeneous steel.

The latest generation of Russian armor-piercing artillery ammunition is represented by 125-mm separate-loading rounds 3VBM22 and 3VBM23, equipped with two types of sub-caliber projectiles - respectively 3VBM59 "Lead-1" with an armor-piercing rod made of tungsten alloy and 3VBM60 with an armor-piercing rod made of uranium alloy. The main propellant charge is loaded into the 4Zh96 "Ozon-T" cartridge case.

The dimensions of the new projectiles coincide with the dimensions of the Lekalo projectile. Their weight is increased to 5 kg due to the greater density of the rod material. To disperse heavy projectiles in the barrel, a more voluminous main propellant charge is used, which limits the use of shots, including Lead-1 and Lead-2 projectiles, only new cannon 2A82, which has an enlarged charging chamber. Armor penetration at a distance of 2000 meters along the normal can be estimated as 700 and 800 mm of homogeneous steel, respectively.

Unfortunately, the Lekalo, Lead-1 and Lead-2 projectiles have a significant design flaw in the form of centering screws located along the perimeter of the supporting surfaces of the leading devices (protrusions visible in the figure on the front supporting surface and points on the surface of the sleeve ). Centering screws are used for stable management projectile in the bore, but their heads at the same time have a destructive effect on the surface of the channel.

In foreign designs of the latest generation, precision obturator rings are used instead of screws, which reduces barrel wear by a factor of five when fired with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile.

The previous generation of foreign armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles is represented by the German DM63, which is part of a unitary shot for the standard 120 mm NATO smoothbore gun. Armor-piercing rod is made of tungsten alloy. The weight of the shot is 21.4 kg, the weight of the projectile is 8.35 kg, the weight of the armor-piercing rod is 5 kg. Shot length is 982 mm, projectile length is 745 mm, core length is 570 mm, diameter is 22 mm. When firing from a cannon with a barrel length of 55 calibers, the initial speed is 1730 m / s, the speed drop on the flight path is declared at the level of 55 m / s for every 1000 meters. Armor penetration at a distance of 2000 meters normal is estimated at 700 mm of homogeneous steel.

The latest generation of foreign armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles includes the American M829A3, which is also part of the unitary shot for the standard 120-mm NATO smoothbore gun. Unlike the D63 projectile, the armor-piercing rod of the M829A3 projectile is made of a uranium alloy. The weight of the shot is 22.3 kg, the weight of the projectile is 10 kg, the weight of the armor-piercing rod is 6 kg. Shot length is 982 mm, projectile length is 924 mm, core length is 800 mm. When firing from a cannon with a barrel length of 55 calibers, the initial speed is 1640 m/s, the speed drop is declared at the level of 59.5 m/s for every 1000 meters. Armor penetration at a distance of 2000 meters is estimated at 850 mm homogeneous steel.

When comparing Russian and American sub-caliber shells of the latest generation, equipped with armor-piercing cores from a uranium alloy, a difference in the level of armor penetration is visible, to a greater extent due to the degree of elongation of their striking elements - 26 times for the lead of the Lead-2 projectile and 37 times for the M829A3 projectile rod. In the latter case, a quarter greater specific load is provided at the point of contact between the rod and armor. In general, the dependence of the armor penetration value of shells on the speed, weight and elongation of their striking elements is shown in the following diagram.

An obstacle to increasing the elongation of the striking element and, consequently, the armor penetration of Russian projectiles is the automatic loader device, first implemented in 1964 in the Soviet T-64 tank and repeated in all subsequent models of domestic tanks, which provides for a horizontal arrangement of projectiles in a conveyor, the diameter of which is not may exceed the internal width of the hull, equal to two meters. Taking into account the case diameter of Russian shells, their length is limited to 740 mm, which is 182 mm less than the length of American shells.

In order to achieve parity with the cannon weapons of a potential enemy for our tank building, the priority for the future is the transition to unitary shots, located vertically in an automatic loader, the shells of which have a length of at least 924 mm.

Other ways to increase the effectiveness of traditional armor-piercing projectiles without increasing the caliber of guns have practically exhausted themselves due to restrictions on the pressure in the barrel chamber developed during the combustion of a powder charge, due to the strength of weapon steel. When moving to a larger caliber, the size of the shots becomes comparable to the width of the tank hull, forcing the shells to be placed in the aft niche of the turret with increased dimensions and a low degree of protection. For comparison, the photo shows a shot of 140 mm caliber and a length of 1485 mm next to a mock shot of a 120 mm caliber and a length of 982 mm.

In this regard, in the United States, within the framework of the MRM (Mid Range Munition) program, active missiles MRM-KE with kinetic warhead and MRM-CE with HEAT warhead. They are loaded into the cartridge case of a standard 120-mm cannon shot with a propellant charge of gunpowder. The caliber body of the shells contains a radar homing head (GOS), a striking element (an armor-piercing rod or a shaped charge), impulse trajectory correction engines, an accelerating rocket engine and a tail unit. The weight of one projectile is 18 kg, the weight of the armor-piercing rod is 3.7 kg. The initial speed at the level of the muzzle is 1100 m/s, after the completion of the accelerating engine, it increases to 1650 m/s.

Even more impressive figures have been achieved in the framework of the creation of an anti-tank kinetic rocket CKEM (Compact Kinetic Energy Missile), whose length is 1500 mm, weight 45 kg. The rocket is launched from a transport and launch container using a powder charge, after which the rocket is accelerated by an accelerating solid-propellant engine to a speed of almost 2000 m / s (Mach 6.5) in 0.5 seconds.

The subsequent ballistic flight of the rocket is carried out under the control of the radar seeker and aerodynamic rudders with stabilization in the air using the tail unit. The minimum effective firing range is 400 meters. The kinetic energy of the damaging element - armor-piercing rod at the end of jet acceleration reaches 10 mJ.

During the tests of the MRM-KE projectiles and the CKEM missile, the main drawback of their design was revealed - in contrast to the sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles with a separating leading device, the flight by inertia of the striking elements caliber projectile and a kinetic missile is carried out assembled with a body of large cross-section and increased aerodynamic resistance, which causes a significant drop in speed on the trajectory and a decrease in the effective firing range. In addition, the radar seeker, impulse correction engines and aerodynamic rudders have a low weight perfection, which makes it necessary to reduce the weight of the armor-piercing rod, which negatively affects its penetration.

The way out of this situation is seen in the transition to the separation in flight of the caliber body of the projectile / rocket and the armor-piercing rod after the completion of the rocket engine, by analogy with the separation of the leading device and the armor-piercing rod, which are part of the sub-caliber projectiles, after their departure from the barrel. Separation can be carried out with the help of an expelling powder charge, which is triggered at the end of the accelerating section of the flight. Reduced-size seeker should be located directly in the ballistic tip of the rod, while the flight vector control must be implemented on new principles.

A similar technical problem was solved as part of the BLAM (Barrel Launched Adaptive Munition) project to create small-caliber guided artillery shells, performed at the Adaptive Aerostructures Laboratory AAL (Adaptive Aerostructures Laboratory) of Auburn University by order of the US Air Force. The aim of the project was to create a compact homing system that combines a target detector, a controlled aerodynamic surface and its drive in one volume.

The developers decided to change the direction of flight by deflecting the projectile tip at a small angle. At supersonic speed, a fraction of a degree deflection is enough to create a force capable of implementing a control action. A simple technical solution was proposed - the ballistic tip of the projectile rests on a spherical surface, which plays the role of a ball bearing, several piezoceramic rods are used to drive the tip, arranged in a circle at an angle to the longitudinal axis. Changing their length depending on the applied voltage, the rods deflect the tip of the projectile to the desired angle and with the desired frequency.

The calculations determined the strength requirements for the control system:
- accelerating acceleration up to 20,000 g;
- acceleration on the trajectory up to 5,000 g;
- projectile speed up to 5000 m / s;
— tip deflection angle up to 0.12 degrees;
— drive actuation frequency up to 200 Hz;
- drive power 0.028 watts.

Recent advances in the miniaturization of infrared radiation sensors, laser accelerometers, computing processors and lithium-ion power supplies resistant to high accelerations (such as electronic devices for guided missiles - American and Russian), make it possible in the period up to 2020 to create and adopt kinetic projectiles and missiles initial speed flight over two kilometers per second, which will significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-tank munitions, as well as make it possible to abandon the use of uranium as part of their striking elements.

One of the tasks of the modern basic battle tank is the destruction of similar enemy equipment, for which he needs a powerful weapon and appropriate armor-piercing shells. Russian tanks are armed with several anti-tank munitions that allow them to deal with well-protected enemy vehicles. In addition, in the near future, new samples intended for use with weapons of advanced technology should go into large-scale production.

Armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectiles (BOPS) show the highest armor penetration characteristics. Such ammunition appeared several decades ago, and later proved to be a convenient means of destroying armored vehicles with powerful protection. different types. As a result, at present, it is BOPS that turn out to be the main tool for tanks to fight other tanks. The development of this class of projectiles continues.

Serial "Mango"

According to various sources, Russian armored units are currently armed with several types of BOPS, and the most widespread representative of this class is the 3BM-42 Mango product. The development of a new projectile with increased power under the code "Mango" began in the first half of the eighties. Through the use of certain materials, technologies and solutions, it was necessary to increase armor penetration in comparison with existing projectiles. Use future projectile 3BM-42 was supposed to be with the existing tank guns of the 2A46 family.

The T-72B3 main tank carries an improved automatic loader compatible with extended projectile lengths. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net

A few years later, the 3VBM-17 round with the 3BM-42 BOPS entered service. It includes the so-called. a burning cylinder, inside of which a driving device with a projectile is rigidly attached. Also, a separate partially combustible cartridge case with means of ignition is used for the shot. The cavities of the sleeve and cylinder are filled with tubular powder, which ensures the acceleration of the projectile.

The creators of the Mango projectile coped with the task of increasing armor penetration, and they did it very interesting way. The projectile has a special design, due to which an increase in the main characteristics is achieved. At the same time, outwardly, 3BM-42 is almost no different from other products of its class. This BOPS is a hollow cylindrical body of small diameter, made of steel and equipped with a tail stabilizer. The front end of the body is closed with a ballistic cap and the so-called. armor-piercing damper. Two tungsten cores are located one behind the other in the housing cavity, held in place by a low-melting metal jacket.

A resettable lead device made of aluminum is installed on the projectile. It has a conical shape with a widening front. Interaction with the bore is provided by several rings on the outer surface of the device. Shot 3VBM-17, including a cylinder, a projectile and a leading device, has a length of 574 mm with a diameter of 125 mm. The mass of the projectile itself is 4.85 kg.

Shot 3VBM-17 with a projectile 3BM-42 "Mango". Photo Fofanov.armor.kiev.ua

The combustion of gunpowder in the sleeve and cylinder makes it possible to accelerate the projectile with the driving device to a speed of no more than 1700 m / s. After exiting the barrel, the master device is reset. Upon hitting the target, the holding jacket melts, after which tungsten cores can pierce armor. The maximum armor penetration at a distance of 2 km is determined as 500 mm. With a meeting angle of 60 ° at the same distance, this characteristic is reduced to 220 mm.

The 3VBM-17 shot with the 3BM-42 projectile was put into service in 1986 and significantly affected the fighting qualities of all existing main tanks. Soviet army. This product is still used in tank troops and is almost the basis of their arsenals. Subsequently, modernization was carried out, which consisted in increasing the length of the body and cores. As a result, "Mango-M" weighs 5 kg and can penetrate up to 270 mm of armor at an angle of 60 °.

Long way "Lead"

Soon after the appearance of the Mango BOPS, well-known unpleasant events began in our country that hit a mass of spheres, including the development of promising shells for tank guns. Only towards the end of the 1990s was it possible to obtain real results in the form of another projectile with enhanced performance. This ammunition was the result of development work with the code "Lead".

Scheme of the product "Mango". Figure Btvt.narod.ru

Experience has shown that a further increase in the main combat characteristics is associated with a mandatory increase in the length of the projectile. This parameter was increased to 740 mm, but this fact did not allow the use of the future projectile with existing tank loaders. As a result, the next project for the modernization of armored vehicles had to include an update of the automation that serves the gun.

From the point of view of the general appearance, the 3VBM-20 shot with the 3BM-46 "Lead-1" projectile is somewhat similar to the older 3VBM-17 and also consists of a projectile in a burning cylinder and a cartridge case with a metal pallet. At the same time, the design of the projectile itself is seriously different from the existing one. This time it was decided to use a monolithic depleted uranium core (according to other sources, from a tungsten alloy), which is actually the basis of the projectile. A ballistic cap and tail stabilizers are attached to the metal core, the diameter of which is less than the caliber of the barrel.

For a longer projectile, an improved lead device was created. It is distinguished by its large length and the presence of two contact zones. In front of the device there is a large cylinder of the usual type, and the second zone is created by three rear supports. After exiting the barrel, such a master device is reset and releases the projectile.

"Mango-M" and a cartridge case with a propelling charge. Photo btvt.narod.ru

According to available data, Lead-1 has a mass of 4.6 kg and is capable of accelerating to a speed of 1750 m/s. Due to this, it penetrates up to 650 mm of homogeneous armor at a shot distance of 2000 m and a zero encounter angle. It is known about the existence of the "Lead-2" project, which provided for the replacement of the core with a product made of another material. Thus, similar shells from uranium and tungsten could appear in the arsenals.

Due to its long length, the new type of projectile could not be used with existing automatic loaders for mass-produced tanks. This problem was solved in the middle of the 2000s. The T-90A armored vehicles of the new series were equipped with modified machine guns compatible with "long" shells. In the future, the upgraded T-72B3 began to receive similar equipment. Thus, a significant part of the equipment of the armored forces can use not only the relatively old "Mango" with limited characteristics.

"Vacuum" for "Armata"

The observed increase in the protection characteristics of tanks of a potential enemy is a real challenge for weapons developers. Further research work led to the conclusion about the need for a new increase in the length of the ammunition. The BOPS 1000 mm long could show the optimal ratio of characteristics, but such a projectile, for obvious reasons, could not be used with the 2A46 gun and its automatic loader.

Projectile 3BM-46 with a leading device. Photo Fofanov.armor.kiev.ua

The way out of this situation was the creation of a completely new weapon with additional equipment. The promising gun later became known under the index 2A82, and the new projectile received the code "Vacuum". From a certain time new complex weapons began to be considered in the context of the project of the promising Armata tank. In case of successful completion of work on the gun and BOPS, the new tank could receive them as the main armament.

According to some sources, the Vacuum project was turned off in favor of new developments. In connection with the start of the development of the 2A82-1M gun, instead of such a projectile, it was proposed to create a smaller BOPS with the code "Vacuum-1". It was supposed to have a length of "only" 900 mm and be equipped with a carbide core. In the recent past, representatives of the defense industry mentioned that organizations from Rosatom were involved in the development of a new projectile. Their participation is due to the need to use depleted uranium.

According to some reports, a projectile called "Vacuum-2" is being created in parallel. In its design, it should be similar to a product with a unit, but at the same time differ in material. It is proposed to make it from a tungsten alloy, more familiar to domestic BOPS. Also, for use with the 2A82-M gun, a high-explosive fragmentation munition with a controlled detonation with the Telnik code and a 3UBK21 Sprinter guided missile are being created. Accurate information about the creation of a new 125-mm cumulative projectile is not yet available.

Main tank T-14 with 2A82-1M gun. Photo by NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru

The appearance and exact technical characteristics of the promising BOPS of the Vacuum family have not yet been specified. It is only known that a projectile with a uranium core will penetrate about 900-1000 mm of homogeneous armor. Probably, such characteristics can be obtained with an ideal angle of impact. Other details are missing.

Promising "Slate"

According to various reports of past years, promising domestically developed tanks were also supposed to receive armor-piercing projectile under the name "Slate". However, there was not too much information about him, which led to confusion and misconceptions. So, for some time it was believed that the "Slate" was intended for new 125-mm guns. It is now known that this product is planned to be used with a more powerful 152 mm 2A83 gun.

Apparently, the projectile for high-powered cannons will be similar in appearance to other representatives of its class. He will receive a core of high elongation, equipped with a ballistic cap and an armor-piercing damper in the head, as well as a relatively small caliber stabilizer. Earlier it was reported that the "Grifel-1" and "Grifel-2" projectiles will be equipped with tungsten and uranium cores. At the same time, there are no data on the parameters of the armor penetration of new shells.

Models of 125-mm guns 2A82-1M. Photo Yuripasholok.livejournal.com

According to various estimates, based on the caliber and estimated energy indicators, the Leads will be able to penetrate at least 1000-1200 mm of homogeneous armor at the optimal angle of impact. However, there are reports of some characteristic problems in the development of such ammunition. Due to certain objective limitations, the efficiency of using shot energy for 152-mm guns may be lower than for systems of a smaller caliber. Whether it will be possible to cope with such problems and fully use the energy reserve of the propellant charge is unknown.

The promising 2A83 tank gun is currently being developed in the context of further development unified tracked platform "Armata". The already created main tank T-14 is equipped with an uninhabited turret with a 2A82-1M gun. In the foreseeable future, a new version of the tank is expected to appear, featuring a different fighting compartment and a more powerful 2A83 gun. Along with them, the improved Armata will also receive the BOPS of the Grifel line.

Shells of the present and future

Currently, the armored forces are armed with several armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectiles designed for use with guns of the rather old but successful 2A46 line. A significant part of the main tanks of existing models has a relatively old automatic loader, and therefore can only use Mango shells and older products. At the same time, late-series T-90A tanks, as well as modernized T-72B3 tanks, are equipped with improved automatic loaders, thanks to which they can use relatively long shells of the Lead line.

The alleged appearance of the BOPS type "Slate". Picture Otvaga2004.mybb.ru

BOPS 3BM-42 and 3BM-46 have fairly high performance, and due to this they are able to deal with a wide range of targets present on the battlefield. At the same time, sub-caliber ammunition is not the only means of combating enemy tanks. For the same purposes, our tanks can use guided missiles and cumulative shots. Thus, "Mango", "Lead" and other tank ammunition ensure the fight against various targets in a wide range of ranges.

The next generation of Russian tanks, so far represented only by the T-14 Armata, is equipped with a new 2A82-1M gun, which shows higher performance and is compatible with new ammunition. The new family of shells and missiles will provide a noticeable increase in combat qualities and is quite capable of bringing the Armata to a leading position in the world.

It is no secret that in the recent past there has been a significant lag of domestic BOPS from modern foreign models. However, the situation is gradually changing, and new models of this kind are coming into service. In the foreseeable future, armored units will receive fundamentally new combat vehicles with modern weapons and ammunition. There is every reason to believe that the gap will at least narrow. Moreover, one cannot rule out the possibility of being ahead of foreign competitors with understandable consequences for the combat capability of the army.

According to the websites:
http://vpk.mane/
http://ria.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://otvaga2004.ru/
http://btvt.narod.ru/
http://russianarms.ru/
http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/

MOSCOW, July 23 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. If a modern tank is fired upon with an armor-piercing "blank" from the Second World War, then, most likely, only a dent will remain at the site of the hit - penetrating through is practically impossible. The "puff" used today composite armor confidently holds such a blow. But it can still be pierced with an "awl". Or "crowbar", as the tankers themselves call armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber shells (BOPS). About how these munitions work - in the material of RIA Novosti.

Awl instead of a sledgehammer

From the name it is clear that the sub-caliber ammunition is a projectile with a caliber noticeably smaller than the caliber of the gun. Structurally, this is a "coil" with a diameter equal to the diameter of the barrel, in the center of which is the same tungsten or uranium "scrap" that hits the enemy's armor. When leaving the bore, the coil, which provided the core with sufficient kinetic energy and accelerated it to the desired speed, is divided into parts under the action of oncoming air flows, and a thin and strong feathered pin flies at the target. In a collision, due to its lower resistivity, it penetrates armor much more efficiently than a thick monolithic blank.

The armored impact of such a "scrap" is colossal. Due to the relatively small mass - 3.5-4 kilograms - the core of the sub-caliber projectile immediately after the shot accelerates to a significant speed - about 1500 meters per second. When hitting the armor plate, it punches a small hole. The kinetic energy of the projectile is partly used to destroy armor, and partly converted into heat. Red-hot fragments of the core and armor go into the armored space and spread like a fan, hitting the crew and internal mechanisms of the vehicle. This creates multiple fires.

An accurate hit of the BOPS can disable important components and assemblies, destroy or seriously injure crew members, jam the turret, pierce fuel tanks, undermine the ammunition rack, and destroy the undercarriage. Structurally, modern sabots are very different. Projectile bodies are both monolithic and composite - a core or several cores in a shell, as well as longitudinally and transversely multilayered, with various types of plumage.

Leading devices (those same "coils") have different aerodynamics, they are made of steel, light alloys, and composite materials - for example, carbon composites or aramid composites. Ballistic tips and dampers can be installed in the head parts of the BOPS. In a word, for every taste - for any gun, under certain conditions tank battle and a specific goal. The main advantages of such ammunition are high armor penetration, high flight speed, low sensitivity to dynamic protection, low vulnerability to active protection systems, which simply do not have time to react to a fast and inconspicuous "arrow".

"Mango" and "Lead"

Under the 125-mm smoothbore guns of domestic tanks in Soviet time developed a wide range of feathered "armor-piercing". They were engaged after the appearance of the potential enemy tanks M1 Abrams and Leopard-2. The army needed projectiles like air, capable of hitting new types of reinforced armor and overcoming dynamic protection.

One of the most common BOPS in the arsenal of Russian T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks is the ZBM-44 "Mango" high-power projectile, which was put into service in 1986. Ammunition has a rather complicated design. A ballistic tip is installed in the head part of the swept body, under which there is an armor-piercing cap. Behind him is an armor-piercing damper, which also plays an important role in breaking through. Immediately after the damper are two tungsten alloy cores held inside by a light-alloy metal jacket. When a projectile collides with an obstacle, the shirt melts and releases cores that "bite" into the armor. In the tail of the projectile there is a stabilizer in the form of a plumage with five blades, at the base of the stabilizer there is a tracer. This "scrap" weighs only about five kilograms, but is able to break through almost half a meter tank armor at a distance of up to two kilometers.

The newer ZBM-48 "Lead" was put into service in 1991. Standard Russian tank autoloaders are limited by the length of the projectiles, so Lead is the most massive domestic tank ammunition of this class. The length of the active part of the projectile is 63.5 centimeters. The core is made of a uranium alloy, it has a high elongation, which increases penetration, and also reduces the impact of dynamic protection. After all, the longer the projectile, the smaller part of it interacts with passive and active obstacles at a certain point in time. Sub-caliber stabilizers improve the accuracy of the projectile, and a new composite "coil" drive device is also used. BOPS "Lead" is the most powerful serial projectile for 125-mm tank guns, capable of competing with leading Western models. The average armor penetration on a homogeneous steel plate from two kilometers is 650 millimeters.

This is not the only such development of the domestic defense industry - the media reported that especially for newest tank T-14 "Armata" created and tested BOPS "Vacuum-1" with a length of 900 millimeters. Their armor penetration came close to a meter.

It is worth noting that probable adversary also does not stand still. Back in 2016, Orbital ATK launched a full-scale production of an advanced armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectile with a fifth-generation M829A4 tracer for the M1 tank. According to the developers, the ammunition penetrates 770 millimeters of armor.