AboutPeter Eriksson Expertise Im capable of answering many of your questions about modern Main Battle Tanks and their configuration/construction/sub-systems. I can also tell you a thing or two about MBT ammunition like the DU-projectiles and Hollow Charge munitions if you like.
Experience I work as a technical officer in the Swedish armoured corps. I work on a daily basis with modern systems like the Leopard 2 MBT and the CV9040 IFV. This is something I have done for almost 4 years now and on my sparetime I sometimes help to restore old armoured vehicles. In addition to that I have a website at www.mainbattletanks.net dedicated to swedish armoured vehicles.
Question Hello Peter. We've heard a lot about the dangers of depleted uranium in tank and artillery shells used in recent conflicts. Why is such a dangerous substance used, especially if the dangers remain long after the shell has been fired and could contaminate allied troops who occupy former enemy positions ?
Mark
Answer DU is a very good material since it has a high density and and at the same time very strong and hard but at the same time not brittle. That means excellent penetration capabilities. And in addition to this the DU fragments will start to burn after penetration causing secondary damage to the target which will lead to a higher kill probablility.
Other countries that have limited acces to DU us heavy metal such as wolfram carbide and similar alloys that also have good penetration capabilities.
The diffrence between them is that Wolfram Carbide is very expensive to create but easy to machine into ammmunition. DU is relatively cheap but on the other hand very hard to manufacture. This makes them comparable in price.
But the two materials are equally dangerous after penetration when inhaling dust since wolfram Carbide is toxic when inhaled.
There is currently no other alternative to material for use in anti-tank ammuntion and high-capability armourpiercing rounds than just Wolfram alloys and DU.
