Big boost to battlefield operations [tank-based "shotgun" round!]

U.S. Army Public Affairs ^ | December 5, 2005 | Wakeland Kuamoo

[Thunder 6]

Earlier versions of the Abrams (M1, M1IP) had a 105mm main gun that would accomodate the 5 types of ammo (name 'em...and pass that station on TCGST!). One of the reasons why the tank Bn's in Korea were the last to convert to the M1A1 was due to the loss of that AP round with the 120mm.
In Iraq, my tanks carried HEAT, SABOT and MPAT. HEAT and MPAT were useful to a point. This "new" round will be helpful.
Adding a better TC and loader's Machine Gun stations would be more useful in my opinion...
A good article though!
Regards,

[Max in Utah]

Why tungsten? Weren't Claymore ball-bearings steel?

Tungsten is much denser than steel and retains more kinetic energy over distance, so it penetrates better at longer ranges. This is especially important with a round ball since they have poor sectional density (ratio of diameter to weight).

[yatros from flatwater]

New? This was around in WW2.

Googling led to this Kiwi history piece, which refers to case shot in the 1453 siege of Constantinople (not sure which side), and recalls its use in WWII jungle warfare:

The Gun - Smoothbore Era 1550-1860: Projectiles

[democrats_nightmare]

New? This was around in WW2.

How true and also a Union/Rebel favorite during the Civil War!

[RightWhale]

The big headed nail would have a much reduced range compared to a box nail or finishing nail. A small headed nail would also tend to tumble in flight, giving it some characterists of the flechette.

[HereInTheHeartland]

I saw a similar cartridge at Gettysburg for a cannon. At the Union position at the top of Pickett's charge they have a display. They basically fired them at point blank range during deepest penetration by the South.
I'm guessing the new version has a bit more kick however!

[OkieDoke]

Requiring greater velocity, as well. The German tungsten round was hard on barrels, but they were rifled.
Thanks.

[Monterrosa-24]

What is your opinion of the loader's turret mounted machine gun on the M-1. In Iraq has it seen effective use?

What targets are actually engaged with MPAT and which with HEAT in Iraq?

[OkieDoke]

Thanks for info.
Ever see the 'Long Tom' 155 on the hill at Ft. Riley, KS? Believe it was intended to fire a nuclear shell.
(Which led to the nuclear handgrenade theory, only `hitch'
being that they had to wire a Silver Star to the pin . . . )

[agere_contra]

You mean flechette. "Fleshette" is pretty descriptive though :0)

[Thunder 6]

I can only speak for our unit's area of operations, over the past year. We didn't fire any SABOT (nothing big enough to expend a SABOT on), and IIRC we only fired MPAT once at a building. HEAT was the round of choice and usually what was battlecarried. We used HEAT on RPG teams, because they would hide in buildings or behind walls.
Main gun engagements were very rare in our AO (mostly urban), but the MG's got quite a bit of work. Everyone fears/respects the .50, but the M1A1 TC station has always been a disaster to operate. The loader's 240 is good, but he has no shielding when he operates it, so the kid is usually exposed when engaging targets. The COAX was great.
Regards,

[Moose4]

The next time a bunch of tracksuit-wearing ski-masked AK-wielding idjits decide to dance in the street in Ramadi, how I do wish Mr. Abrams would come around the corner right about then and send one of these right down Main Street. You'd never see THAT on the evening news. (And in fairness, it'd be pretty hard to eat your hamburger steak after seeing what that would do to somebody.)

I love it. It's like Raid for jihadis. Kills bugs dead.

}:-)4

[SJSAMPLE]

Tungsten is more dense than regular steel.
This means that the balls will lose less velocity over longer ranges than lighter balls of the same diameter. The hardness helps a little, but not as much as it does on the penetrator rods.

Recently, there's been experiments with tungsten core bullets for the M-16/M-4 series rifles. 82+gr, IIRC, which can be loaded in magazine length cartridges. Holds more velocity over longer ranges, as well (not to be confused with the Black Hills 77gr loads). Very expensive and there's some experimentation with powdered (sintered) metal construction. It's very difficult (impossible) to melt tungsten into a copper jacket and you can't economically machine the bullet cores.

[verity]

You could loan it out to hiredhand if he had any more trouble with cats.

Of course, this would be more practical:

[atomic_dog]

True but grape shot is not canister and grape shot was rarely used on land battles of the Civil War. Grape shot was primarily used by naval gun crews. They behave differently and most of the canister shot used in the Civil War was mistakenly called grapeshot.

Grape shot

Canister

[flying Elvis]

That's where Humphreys went after a Yank artillery battery.

[printhead]

Maybe the wide head adds drag, keeping the pointed end forward?

[colorado tanker]

An antipersonnel round for the Abrams. It's about time!

[ArrogantBustard]

Never been to Ft. Riley ... I've seen this gem at Aberdeen:

280mm M68 "atomic cannon". Here it is being fired:

I suppose you could call this an "anti-personnel" round ...

[sit-rep]

bttt!!