The Science Behind Various Projectiles

[andrew.m_23]

Hello everyone,

I was reading about older weapon systems (WW2 Era) which use ammunition that for the most part is not used today. I was hoping someone could explain the science behind these projectiles, more or less how they do what they do:

- APC
- APCBC
- APCR
- Concrete Penetrating (I understand the Russians still use these and they usually come with a BD fuze)

I apologize if this is such a broad question, but thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[Weasel Pilot]

The dumb fighter pilot perspective:
APC - Armor Piercing Capped - soft, added a lead cap on top of the hardened steel (or other tough metal) penetrator. Designed to protect the penetrating part of the projo from initial impact forces. Outdated by WW2. Hard, added a hardened steel cap on top of the penetrator. Intended to destroy the face portion of face hardened armor, allowing the penetrator to "do its thing"
APCBC - Armor Piercing Capped, Ballistic Capped - the above with the further addition of a thin metal "point" to streamline the projo - increased range and provided better terminal impact velocity.
APCR - Not a clue...

 

[pzgr40/42]

APCR projectile body not hardened, but contains a hardened core (tungsten, hardened steel, depleted uranium), that will penetrate the target.

 

[URG86-collector]

As far as I understand it, APCR (Armour Piercing, Composite Rigid) is the British term for what is called HVAP (High Velocity Armour Piercing) in the US, what then became NATO standard. German: panzerbrechendes Hartkerngeschoss

Best Wishes,
urg86-collector

 

[Eggburt1969]

AP = armour-piecing tracer = a solid projectile (shot), which commonly have a relatively blunt ogival (2 calibre radius head [2 CRH]) nose and a short body.

AP-T = armour-piecing tracer = as above with a tracer.


57 mm (6 Pdr.) AP-T Round Sectional Diagram

APHE = armour-piecing high explosive = as per AP, but with a hollow projectile (shell), which includes a base fuze and small high explosive bursting charge. The APHE designation isn't really used, with just AP shell (not shot) being used.

APHE-T = armour-piecing high explosive tracer = as per APHE, but includes a tracer. As per APHE, the APHE-T designation isn't really used.

APC = armour-piecing capped = as per AP, but with a blunt penetrating cap of the projectile, which acts a shock buffer on impact.

APC-T = armour-piecing capped tracer = as per APC, but with a tracer.


57 mm (6 Pdr.) APC-T Round Sectional Diagram

APCHE = armour-piecing capped high explosive = as per APHE, but capped as per APC. The APCHE designation isn't really used, with just APC shell (not shot) being used.

APCHE-T = armour-piecing capped high explosive tracer = as per APCHE, but with a tracer. The APCHE-T designation isn't really used.

APBC = armour-piecing ballistic-capped = an AP projectile with a thin metal pointed cap, which improves aerodynamics (lowers drag). The projectile nose under the cap is often blunt/flat. High explosive versions would be APBCHE, but the designation isn't really used.

APBC-T = armour-piecing ballistic-capped = as per APBC = but with a tracer. High explosive versions would be APBCHE-T, but the designation isn't really used.


76 mm 53-BR-350B APBCHE-T Projectile Sectional Diagram

APCBC = armour-piecing capped ballistic-capped = an APC, with a ballistic cap. High explosive versions would be APCBCHE, but the designation isn't really used.

APCBC-T = armour-piecing capped ballistic-capped tracer = an APCBC, with a tracer. High explosive versions would be APCBCHE-T, but the designation isn't really used.


57 mm (6 Pdr.) APCBC-T Round Sectional Diagram


76 mm M62A1 APCBCHE-T Projectile Sectional Diagram

APCR = armour-piecing composite rigid = a British term for a composite projectile, which houses a high density penetrating core within a non-discarding lightweight outer assembly (sheath). Later known as HVAP, high velocity armour piecing. Normally tracered, so APCR-T and HVAP-T.


76 mm M93A1 HVAP (APCR) Round Sectional Diagram


76 mm 53-BR-354P HVAP (APCR, Arrow) Projectile Sectional Diagram

APCNR = armour-piecing composite non-rigid = similar to APCR, but with a primary projetile that has a smaller diameter body, which has deformable areas. The latter area, such as the forward bore-riding area (bourrelet) and rear skirt, are squeezed down to a smaller calibre body when fired down a squeeze bore (German) or device attached to the muzzle (British).


40 mm (2 Pdr.) AP-T (APCNR-T) Projectile Sectional Diagram

Concrete penetrating = a hollow high explosive filled shell, which commonly has a reinforced body (thicker side walls), often a solid flat tip, and a rear (base) mounted delay fuze.


122 mm 53-G-471 Anti-Concrete Projectile Diagrams