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Posted By: Spectator <Send E-Mail>
Date: Thursday, 15 July 2004, 6:33 p.m.

In Response To: OUR SOLDIERS ARE ALREADY DEAD: DU DEBATE (ipia)

Since the apparition of the first M1A1 HA ( Heavy Armor ), the Abrams tanks are protected by a composite armor with a DU matrix. As far as I know no other armored fighting vehicle in the world is protected by this kind of armor. Modern composite armor, evolved from the so-called “Chobham armor” used advanced ceramics, steel alloys, plastic materials, etc, but never this DU matrix.

You´re right in which refers to the DU projectiles. Tungsten carbide alloys are slightly denser than DU and as a plus have much more hardness and even superior thoughness, all of this without the dangers of DU use. They are the ideal penetrators. I think that price is a key factor as has been in other cases. The Second World War was a clear example, both in USA and UK ( a very good book about the poor tank designs that hampered UK war machine throughout the war is “The Big Tank scandal”. After reading it, one can feel the contempt for human lives that directed design teams during too many time ). The Sherman, known as “zippo” or “Tommy cooker” was another sad example that should have been discarded early in 1944, but when a far more competent design ( the M26 ) was offered was initially rejected by “logistics” reasons ( some generals even said that their 90 mm gun was unnecesary, the Shermans could cope with all german armor ! ). Sadly, profits guided design and lives were only secondary. It seems that this is that old movie again..