30 mm x 173 PMC 287 penetration figures?

[Djuice]

Are there any listed figures for the german 30 mm x 173 APFSDS-T / PMC 287?

 

 

This new generation of armour piercing sub-calibre ammunition was developed to defeat monobloc or spaced armour targets found in the battlefields of today or in foreseeable future. Based on the well-proven Oerlikon Contraves sub-calibre technology, employing an in-situ plastic-moulded tungsten alloy core with integrated driving band, the APFSDS-T ammunition suffers none of the problems associated with the conventional slipping rotating band design with respect to the influence of barrel wear and adverse atmospheric conditions.

 

As the projectile is launched at full spin, sabot discard is essentially instantaneous after muzzle exit, with minimum penetrator perturbation, which ensures an excellent hit probability. The capability of the ultra-low-drag tungsten alloy long-rod penetrator to defeat RHA and high hardness armours even at low angles of obliquity at extended ranges, makes APFSDS-T the ultimate choice for vehicle armament.

 

APFSDS-T ammunition can be employed - together with the FAPDS-T (frangible) ammunition - to provide IFVs with a powerful self-defence capability against both ground and air-to-ground attacks. For training purposes, ballistically matched sub-calibre practice ammunition is available.

Main features

 

 

Technical data

 

Total length of round 290 mm

Weight of round 725 g

Weight of projectile 235 g

Propellant Nitro-cellulose/nitro-glycerine, extruded-impregnated

Muzzle velocity 1,385 m/s

Cartridge casing Steel

Temperature range (during action) -30° C through +50° C

Range/Time of flight 1,000 m/0.76 s; 2,000 m/1.58 s

 

i estimated the projectile length to around 183-185mm with a diameter of around 8.3-8.5mm..

[Paul Lakowski]

This is from my files

 

High Power [890gr] 30mm Gun:30 x 173mm

Swiss Oerlikon 30mm APFSDS [Approximate]

Nothing know about this current product from Oerlikon except 58mm penetration @ 60° @ 1000m = 116mm LOS penetration.

 

If we work from a 30mm APDS basis of 250g and 1300m/s for a APFSDS, that’s about 1350m/s with improved propellant …this leads to the following likely APFSDS penetration figures… Based on 30g for tip and fins that leave’s ~ 205g penetrator mass ÷ 17.4g/cc =11.8cc volume…given a ~13:1 starting L/d ,that’s 13 cm x 1.06cm ..which should lead to the following Andersons type estimated penetration figures … 1.044V –0.71 [L/d] x 1.08 [scaling] + 1.3d [back plate effect @ 0°/60°] ± 15%….V drop is assumed to be 100m/s/km so that’s roughly…

 

Muzzle 1350m/s = 0.75 x 13cm = 9.8cm + 1.4cm = 11cm ± 2cm @ 0° & 6.3cm ± 1cm @ 60° [iDR = 11cm @ 0°]

1000m 1250m/s = 0.64 x13 cm = 8.3cm + 1.4cm =9.7cm ± 2cm @ 0° & 5.6cm ± 1cm @ 60° [iDR = 9.5cm @ 0°]

2000m 1150m/s = 0.53 x13cm = 6.9cm + 1.4cm = 8.3cm ± 1cm @ 0° & 4.8 cm ± 1cm @ 60° [iDR = 8.2cm @ 0°]

3000m 1050m/s = 0.42 x13cm = 5.4cm + 1.4cm =6.8cm ± 1cm @ 0° & 4.1cm ± 1cm @ 60° [iDR = 7.0cm @ 0°]

 

JANES reports “58mm penetration @ 60° @ 1000m = 116mm LOS penetration.†And the above estimated penetration is 56mm @ 60 ° at 1000m range.

 

JANES IDR reports on July 2002 the penetration figures in brackets. The British Rarden Gun might be adapted to fit a APFSDS of this dimension but any thing longer would be impossible with current design?

[DB]

How do they keep something spinning at full rate stable?

 

David

[jwduquette1]

sorry -- see below

Edited November 1, 2006 by jwduquette1

[jwduquette1]

Dave -- what's the source of your original data?

Edited November 1, 2006 by jwduquette1

[Djuice]

Thanks mateys