Logo from Scott Cunningham.
Logo from Scott Cunningham.
he third alternative to traditional kinetic energy projectiles was called SVDS (super velocity discarding sabot) by the British during World War II, and later known as APDS (armour piercing discarding sabot). It was the only version of sub-calibre ammunition to remain in widespread use after World War II.
APDS projectiles resemble APCR in that they consist of a hard, high density sub-calibre core within a light alloy body. Unlike APCR, the carrying body (called a sabot after the French word for shoe) is discarded from the penetrator after leaving the gun muzzle.
An APDS projectile with one part of the sabot taken away and standing on the left. The projectile is for a British 6–pounder gun and the numbers are its length in inches. From the private collection of Chris Shillito.
The advantage of APDS projectiles is a significantly greater armour penetration, like all sub-calibre projectiles. Since the cross sectional area is reduced after firing, APDS projectiles do not have the same rapid reduction in velocity and thus penetration with range that APCR projectiles suffer. APDS can also be used in guns that fire other ammunition types, unlike APCNR.
The disadvantage of APDS projectiles is that the sabot is discarded at high velocities which can be hazardous to friendly troops if fired over their heads. The separation of the sabot can disturb the penetrator and thus significantly reduce its accuracy compared to traditional kinetic energy projectiles. Like all sub-calibre projectiles using a tungsten carbide core, the core is brittle and breaks up if it strikes the target obliquely or if the target is protected by spaced armour, as described earlier. This was partly overcome by the British in World War II by sheathing the core with steel.1
APDS projectiles was fielded exclusively by Britain during World War II. Germany conducted many experiments along similar lines but the lack of tungsten rendered any designs moot and none were used in combat.
Sub-calibre Ammunition Part 5 Post-War Developments
Do you like this web site? Please rate it between one and ten, with ten being the best:
Ratings are submitted to: The Wargames and Military History Search Engine.
