Michael_Edelman%Wayne-MTS@um.cc.umich.edu (04/11/90)
From: Michael_Edelman%Wayne-MTS@um.cc.umich.edu
One great advantage of DU not mentioned is that being very dense it has an
extremely high sectional density- and the higher the S.D., the better
the wind and drag characteristics of a given mass. Flatter trajectories
and better downrange energies and all that.
One correspondant said it sets fire to whatever it passed through. Close.
DU itself burns very well, and the heat generated when the DU slug squeezes
a hole through a chunk of steel armor will ignite it. The projectile itself
will of couse ignite whatever it comes in contact with at that point.
The hardness of DU contributes to its ability as a penetrator. It is far
less likely to send its energy deforming when it hits a target than would
a softer metal. I believe the Soviets use a tungsten-carbide penetrator
round in their KE projectile technology, for much the same reason. I think
the reason for choosing this metal is the diffculty of machining DU, but
that's just a guess.
Re the mild radioactivity of DU: My understanding is that it's lower than
that of the ore itself, as the ore contains U-235 in small amounts. DU
is mainly U-235 and (?) other isotopes. Also, uranium has a very long
half life and is consequently a very low particle emitter. You certainly
don't have to worry about spontaneous nuclear reactions in belted 30mm
ammunition packed in a shipping case.
--mike
michael_edelman%Wayne-MTS@um.cc.umich.edu
medelma@waynest1