During the 1950's, experimental APFSDS projectiles were developed for the M46's 90mm M3A1 cannon. A likely threat at the time was the Soviet T-54, with this simulation showing how the prototype T82E23 APFSDS would fair against the T-54's upper plate.
The T82E23 was one of the first armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot projectiles, which used a sub-calibre hardened steel penetrator. This increased the penetrator of the round, reduced its drag, and improved its range over standard projectiles. For comparison, the highest penetrating standard rounds of the 90mm M3A1 were the T33 AP and M304 HVAP, which could both penetrate ~80mm RHA @60° at point blank range -the APFSDS can penetrate ~95mm under the same conditions.
I dont know for certain, but I would speculate that these APFSDS rounds did not enter service due to the HEAT-FS projectiles being developed at a similar time, which could penetrate more than 150mm RHA @60° (a much greater improvement than the APFSDS).
About the simulation:
The body is hardened steel, the tail is aluminium, the T-54 plate is 300BHN RHA (source: Tankograd), the witness plate is 2mm Aluminium spaced 6" from the armour, to replicate the Protection Ballistic Limit penetration criteria listed in the reference image: preview.redd.i...
Amazing thumbnail art from: Degit22 sketchfab.com/...
5 сен 2024
