Tank Ammunition
What does APFSDS stand for and what does it do?
APFSDS stands for "Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot", and are kinetic rounds designed to penetrate thick tank armor.
What is the critical flaw of ammunition storage in Soviet and Russian tanks such as the T80BVM or the T90M?
The ammunition is stored in a carousel under the turret of the tank due to their autoloaders. The ammunition is pointed at the crew leaving little possibility for survival in an ammo cookoff.
What is an AT (Anti Tank) mine?
Anti Tank mines are landmines usually designed with shaped charges or large explosive mass. Triggered by the high pressure weight of a tank or armored vehicle, they are designed to disable mobility or even destroy the vehicle.
What are common weak points to most modern tanks' armor? (Only one needs to be stated to be correct)
The turret ring, the lower frontal hull plate, the side armor, the rear hull armor, the turret roof, the turret sides, the rear of the turret, SOME gun mantles.
What is the best type of ammunition to pass through ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor)?
The best type of ammunition to pass through ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) is any ammunition with a tandem shaped charge.
What does HEAT-FS stand for and what does it do?
HEAT-FS stands for "High Explosive Anti Tank - Fin Stabilized", and is a shaped charge warhead designed to penetrate light and thick armor alike, as well as produce concussion and shrapnel.
What is the weakness for the M1A1 - M1A2 SEP V3 Abrams' engine?
It is a turbine engine with bad fuel economy (compared to some other tanks), leading to larger and more expensive fuel storage.
By what means do most FPV (Kamikaze) drones penetrate tank armor?
They use mostly shaped charges, designed to fly into and penetrate weak points in armor.
What does RHA stand for and what does it do?
RHA stands for "Rolled Homogeneous Armor", it is a steel plating used for basic tank structure and protection, as well as to test the penetration values of anti tank weapons.
How have the countries of Ukraine and Russia finished off abandoned tanks using drones in the Russia-Ukraine war?
By flying FPV (Kamikaze) drones into weak armor points and open doors, or using dropper drones to insert fragmentation, incendiary, high explosive or thermite grenades into open hatches or destroyed sections of armor.
What is a canister round, and what does it do?
A canister round is a canister filled with hundreds to thousands of metal balls and is designed to eliminate and suppress infantry in the open or without cover.
What is the major weakness of the Leopard 2A7V's ammunition storage?
The Leopard 2A7V features a second ammunition rack next to the driver that does not have blowout panels, possibly leading to a catastrophic detonation if the armor is penetrated.
The two common ways are direct hits to tank armor and penetrating it with large shaped charges; and exploding above the target firing a shaped charge into the thinner roof armor of the tank.
What does ERA stand for and what does it do?
ERA stands for "Explosive Reactive Armor", and is used as an external protection system on many tanks worldwide. Famously used by Soviet and Russian made tanks, it is a small amount of contact sensitive explosive that explodes and disrupts shaped charge ammunition and some kinetic rounds.
The TOW2B ATGM uses what type of attack mode to penetrate tank armor?
It uses a top attack mode, exploding above a tank's turret and penetrating the thinner roof armor.
What does HESH stand for and what does it do?
HESH stands for "High Explosive Squash Head", and is designed to hit thick or thin armor (the head squashes) and explode, cracking the armor and causing spalling.
What is the main weakness(es) of the T84 Oplot?
The T84 Oplot has thinner armor in some areas compared to it's counterpart the T80, also featuring an autoloader that could produce a catastrophic explosion if hit.
What is a tandem shaped charge and what does it do?
A tandem shaped charge is 2 shaped charges back to back (usually in ATGMS and RPGS), the first shaped charge explodes and destroys any obstacles, with the second shaped charge firing immediately afterwards to penetrate the target. It is effective against ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor).
What does NERA stand for and what does it do?
NERA stands for "Non-Explosive Reactive Armor", and is usually a composite armor designed to stop and dissipate the energy of ammunition that hits it. It is commonly used by NATO countries and is effective against HEAT and kinetic rounds.
How much armor does the American M829A4 APFSDS theoretically penetrate?
What does AMP stand for and what does it do?
AMP stands for "Advanced Multi Purpose", and is designed to be programmed for use against multiple threats such as infantry, armor or structures, depending on the situation.
What is the major weakness of the Merkava Mk.5?
The Merkava Mk.5 is an exceptionally large tank, making it difficult to transport, making it a big target and limiting it's mobility in urban combat.
Name one type of anti tank ammunition that is commonly equipped by some or most MBTs in modern combat? (Only one needs to be said to be correct)
Some anti tank fired ammunition include: HEAT-FS, APFSDS, APDS, ATGMs, MPAT (Multi Purpose Anti Tank), HESH, HE (lightly armored vehicles), Etc. (Any others not mentioned can be agreed upon by the playing party).
What is spaced armor and what is it effective against?
Spaced armor is composite or steel plates placed together with empty space in between each plate. It is effective against shaped charges and some kinetic rounds.
What are the MOST common rounds used by modern tanks in combat?
HEAT type rounds or HE/MP rounds, used against infantry, armor, and structures.