Fin Stabilised

[Mike Cecil]

Dave,

MV of rounds fired from an L7A3 105mm tank main armament (eg Leopard AS1):

L52A2 APDS/T = 1,478 m/s
L35A2 HESH/T = 732 m/s
M456A1 HEAT/T = 1,174 m/s

I'm certainly no expert on the physics of shaped charges, but it seems to me the 'stand off' distance of the PIBD (Point Intitiating Base Detonating) initiator ie the distance from the initiator to the shaped charge, would be the critical factor. The higher the velocity at impact, the greater that distance would need to be to allow development of the slug by the shaped charge?

The M456A1 was fitted with a rotating Nylon band - the band rotated in the rifling, but did not impart appreciable spin to the projectile (which I think answers your query, Ed). The projectile included a set of tail fins for flight stability.

Mike