M829 (munition)
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The M829 is an American first-generation Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) tank round designed specifically for the 120 mm M256 main gun on the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. This heavy anti-tank round is essentially a dart made of a depleted uranium (DU) alloy which gives it excellent performance against all types of tank armors, with the exception of newer explosive reactive armor (ERA). The M829 has a ballistic cap and five tail fins made of aluminum; it also has a long aluminum sabot, which holds the sub-caliber round in place in the barrel, that breaks off into five "petals" as the round leaves the gun tube. The propulsion system uses an obturating case base with a semi-combustible wall. It has a total weight of 41.1 pounds. The M829 is no longer in production and has been succeeded by the M829A1, M829A2, and M829A3.
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[edit] M829A1
The M829A1 (nicknamed the "Silver Bullet" by Operation Desert Storm tank crews) is widely regarded as one of the most effective tank-fired anti-armor weapon in the world, and overwhelmed Iraqi armor during Operation Desert Storm. The M829A1 is a depleted uranium long-rod kinetic energy penetrator round capable of defeating heavily armored vehicles. However, this effect has been reduced by modern reactive armor (like the Russian Kontakt-5) which led to the rapid development of the M829A2.
It can penetrate approximately 540 mm rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) at 0 degrees (NATO) and 630 mm RHA at 60 degrees (NATO), at a range of 2,000 m.[citation needed]
[edit] M829A2
The M829A2 APFSDS is a third-generation anti-tank round based on the M829 penetrator and designed for the 120 mm M256 main gun in the M1A1 (or later) Abrams main battle tank. The M829A2 was rapidly developed to have the capability to destroy tanks equipped with Kontakt-5 reactive armor. The M829A2 has several improvements over the M829A1, including: a longer depleted uranium penetrating rod than previous designs, giving it improved performance over previous types of anti-tank rounds; better manufacturing processes for the penetrator; and a partially cut propelling charge to allow it to be more energetic while loading like a stick charge. The M829A2 was also the first APFSDS round to use carbon fiber sabot petals, reducing the weight of the overall round and allowing for the larger penetrator. Combined these features boost its muzzle velocity by 100 m/s to 1680 m/s, while operating at slightly lower pressure. The M829A2 entered service in the United States Army in 1993.
It can penetrate approximately 570 mm RHA at 0 degrees (NATO) and 670 mm RHA at 60 degrees (NATO), at a range of 2,000 m.[citation needed]
[edit] M829A3
The M829A3 is a 120 mm APFSDS round developed from the current service M829A2 round. The M829A3 was slated to be supplied to units in 2003. It is a further improvement on the M829A2.
Very little is known about the round. It is heavier than the M829A2 and uses a more efficient propellant, RPD-380, giving it a boost in muzzle velocity. It is designed specifically to defeat modern types of (ERA) such as Kontakt-5. It has a combustible cartridge case with an overall length of less than 986 mm and weighs less than 56 pounds.
It can penetrate approximately 680 mm RHA at 0 degrees (NATO) and 790 mm RHA at 60 degrees (NATO), at a range of 2,000 m.[citation needed]
