The primary damage mechanism in an explosion is the air blast shockwave, but in the case of anti-tank rockets, a more significant mechanism is a hypersonic jet of metal particles that can cut through thick armor. This is achieved through a shaped charge, which is a special type of explosive charge that generates a jet of metal particles. The RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) uses a shaped charge to penetrate armor, and its design has evolved over time to improve its effectiveness.
In World War I, early anti-tank rifles relied on kinetic energy to pierce armor, but as armor thickness increased, so did the size and weight of anti-tank guns. The development of handheld anti-tank grenades, such as the RPG-43, allowed soldiers to attack tanks from a distance. However, these early grenades had limitations, including the need for a direct hit and the risk of premature detonation.
The RPG-7, a widely used RPG, solved these problems by using a rocket-propelled grenade that could be launched from a distance. The RPG-7's shaped charge is designed to penetrate armor, and its effectiveness is due to the hypersonic jet of metal particles it generates.
However, shaped charges have an Achilles' heel: they can be defeated by adding a gap between the warhead and the target, which can be achieved by using slats of wood or cardboard. This was demonstrated in the 2017 Battle of Marawi, where Philippine government forces used this tactic to defeat militants armed with RPGs.
To counter anti-tank weapons, tanks are equipped with explosive reactive armor, which is designed to detonate and disrupt the incoming projectile. However, modern anti-tank weapons, such as the Javelin, have tandem warheads that can neutralize the reactive armor and deliver a lethal blow.
The development of insensitive high explosives has improved the safety of nuclear weapons, and these explosives are also used in explosive reactive armor. However, even with these advances, the utility of tanks is decreasing due to the increasing effectiveness of anti-tank missiles and the high cost of tanks and their active protection systems.
In conclusion, the development of shaped charges and anti-tank rockets has led to a cat-and-mouse game between armor and anti-armor technologies. While tanks have been equipped with explosive reactive armor and active protection systems, modern anti-tank missiles have become increasingly effective, making tanks more vulnerable. The future of tank warfare is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether tanks can adapt to these new threats and maintain their relevance on the battlefield.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Tanks were first introduced in World War I.
2. Early anti-tank rifles relied primarily on the kinetic energy of metal shells to pierce through armor.
3. To protect tanks, thicker and more effective armor was added.
4. Anti-tank guns became increasingly heavier to pierce through the thicker armor.
5. The Soviet RPG-43 was a handheld anti-tank grenade developed during World War II.
6. RPG stands for "Ruchnoy Protivotankovyi Granatomet", which means handheld anti-tank grenade launcher.
7. RPG rounds use a special type of explosive charge known as shaped charges.
8. The inner shape of the explosive charge is cone-shaped, which generates a Hypersonic jet of metal particles when detonated.
9. The effective penetration depth of the jet is seven times or more the diameter of the shaped charge.
10. Adding slats of wood and packs of cardboard to vehicles can make shape charges less effective by creating a gap between the Warhead and the vehicle.
11. Metal cages around tanks and other armored vehicles are designed to cause a premature explosion of shape charges.
12. Explosive reactive armor (ERA) is used to counter anti-tank weapons.
13. ERA is made up of insensitive explosives sandwiched between two metal plates.
14. Insensitive explosives are stable enough to withstand impacts and are used in nuclear weapons and ERA.
15. The US government developed insensitive high explosives after nuclear-armed B-52 bombers crashed in the 1960s.
16. Modern anti-tank weapons, such as the Javelin, have tandem Warheads that can neutralize ERA and deliver lethal damage.
17. Active Protection Systems (APS) are needed to protect ground vehicles against modern anti-tank threats.
18. APS can detect incoming threats and neutralize them before they reach the vehicle.
19. The cost of a tank can range from $5-10 million, excluding its active protection system, which costs an additional $1-2 million.
20. A round of Javelin costs less than $200,000, making it a more economical option than tanks.