British depleted uranium projectiles for Ukraine
Gun L30A1. Photo by the British Ministry of Defense
In early January, Britain announced its readiness to transfer to the Kyiv regime a small number of basic combat tanks Challenger 2. Together with such armored vehicles, ammunition for its standard weapons will be supplied. Recently it became known that such deliveries may include armor-piercing shells with a core of depleted uranium. These plans attracted a lot of attention and were also heavily criticized.
New Intentions
On March 21, British Deputy Secretary of Defense Annabelle Goldie revealed new details of plans to help the Kyiv regime. She said that together with a squadron (company) of Challenger-2 tanks, ammunition for their 120-mm guns would be sent to Ukraine. In particular, it is planned to supply armor-piercing feathered shells based on depleted uranium. According to the Deputy Minister, such products are an effective means of destroying modern armored vehicles.
A. Goldie's statement did not go unnoticed and caused a corresponding reaction. Thus, the Ukrainian side enthusiastically accepted the promised supply of ammunition - like any other help from abroad. Propaganda forces make another miracle out of foreign tanks and their regular shells.weaponwhich is sure to bring victory. The previous such "wunderwaffe" is predictably not remembered.
Russia did not ignore news about projectiles. The statements of the British Deputy Minister of Defense were commented on by several of our structures and officials, up to the Minister of Defense and the President. London is warned against ill-considered risky steps and warned of the negative consequences of such supplies.
In response to this, the British Ministry of Defense recalled that tank armor-piercing shells based on depleted uranium have nothing to do with nuclear weapons. In addition, uranium has been called a standard component of ammunition. At the same time, Russia was accused of attempting deliberate disinformation and speculation on the topic of military assistance.
Armor-piercing shells L23A1 and L26A1. Photo Forum.warthunder.com
It is curious that the British military department has so far only indicated the possibility of supplying existing armor-piercing shells along with their tanks. The number of such products for shipment, the timing of their provision, etc. while remain unknown. However, the Ministry of Defense could already draw up such plans, but is in no hurry to announce them. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that the British side will heed Russian warnings and revise its supply program.
Uranium nomenclature
The main armament of the modern British MBT Challenger 2 is the L30A1 gun developed by the Royal Ordnance Factory Nottingham. This is a 120 mm rifled gun with a 55 klb barrel. The breech and bolt of the gun are designed for the use of separate loading shots with a propellant charge in a burning cartridge case. Loading is done manually.
The ammunition load of the L30A1 gun includes a dozen shells for various purposes. Despite the common caliber, they are not compatible with standard NATO guns. Armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber projectiles (BOPS) comprise the bulk of the available range - six combat types and one training. There is also a high-explosive armor-piercing projectile with a plastic charge, training and smoke ammunition.
Based on depleted uranium, two types of British BOPS are made - L26A1 and L27A1. They were developed in the eighties and nineties as part of various stages of the CHARM (Challenger Armament) weapons modernization program. Due to the use of a specific material, it was possible to optimize the design of the armor-piercing core, as well as to improve the main combat characteristics and qualities.
The L26A1 projectile is a traditional BOPS design. This is a small-caliber product in the form of an elongated "needle" with a tail stabilizer. The projectile has an outer shell made of a soft alloy, a uranium core is placed inside the fire. The projectile is completed with a resettable aluminum leading device; a glass with an additional propelling charge is put on the stabilizer. The length of the projectile assembly is 525 mm, the total weight is 8,5 kg.
Loading shells L29A1 - a training analogue of the products L27A1 and L28A1. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The newer L27A1 projectile has a similar design and appearance, but has a longer length and different proportions, and also has an increased mass. The resettable master is generally similar to the one used in the previous project.
Depending on the propellant used, the L26A1 and L27A1 projectiles have an initial velocity of at least 1550-1600 m/s. High speed and a uranium core allow an older projectile to penetrate 2 mm of homogeneous armor at a distance of 443 km. A newer one in the same conditions overcomes a 522-mm barrier. In addition, depleted uranium provides a high armor impact.
Amazing factors
In the manufacture of BOPS, depleted uranium is used. This metal is a by-product (actually a waste) of uranium production for energy or nuclear weapons. During the processing and enrichment of natural uranium, radioactive isotopes are extracted and used. The remaining material mainly consists of uranium-238 and can be used in other areas.
Uranium has a high density - 19,05 g / cc. In this parameter, it is slightly inferior to tungsten and three times superior to steel alloys. In addition, uranium is pyrophoric: its small particles ignite spontaneously in air. As a by-product of the nuclear industry, it is relatively cheap and available in sufficient quantities. Finally, due to the enrichment process, such a "waste" is minimally radioactive and does not require special precautions, like enriched uranium.
Depleted uranium BOPS has several general advantages. So, due to the high density, the projectile of the required size can be as heavy as possible, which contributes to obtaining maximum kinetic energy. High speed and energy, combined with the mass and hardness of BOPS, contribute to an increase in the penetration of various obstacles. After passing through the armor, the projectile is destroyed, and small fragments hit the internal units of the target and its crew. In addition, uranium is capable of causing additional damage by igniting the particles.
Working with tank shots. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The use of depleted uranium has other features and consequences, and it is dangerous not only directly for the target when it is hit. Thus, all isotopes of uranium and a number of its compounds are toxic and pose a danger to all organs and systems of the human body. The ingress of uranium dust into the body provokes the development of various diseases. There is evidence of carcinogenic properties associated with the residual amount of radioactive isotopes. With all this, the destruction of the projectile with the formation of small particles contributes to the spread of toxic substances around the affected tank and increases the risks to the surrounding area and people.
The negative effects of the use of uranium projectiles are confirmed by scientific research. So, in a number of works, an increase in the number of oncological diseases was shown among the personnel who worked with such shells, as well as in the former war zones where they were used - in the territory of the former Yugoslavia and Iraq. As a consequence, armor-piercing depleted uranium ammunition has long been heavily criticized.
At the same time, other studies show no pronounced additional risks and consequences of using uranium projectiles. However, such scientific works raise a lot of questions and make them suspect that their authors are biased.
Opportunities and risks
Obviously, due to the announced deliveries of BOPS based on depleted uranium, the British side plans to increase the combat capability of the Challenger 2 MBTs being transferred. With the help of such ammunition, British tanks with Ukrainian crews will have to resist the Russian army. However, the effectiveness of such measures and their long-term consequences are in question.
The fact is that British-made uranium shells L26A1 and L27A1 are not new and have limited characteristics. In addition, these products and their features are well known abroad - and the necessary measures were taken to protect armored vehicles. As a result, the ability of old shells to hit modern Russian tanks is questionable. Even with a successful hit on the target, the ammunition will have to overcome dynamic protection and combined frontal barriers.
Challenger 2 is firing. Photo by the British Ministry of Defense
At the same time, the British Army has a newer L28A1 tungsten projectile with improved performance, but they are not going to supply it to Ukraine. It seems that the British side intends to help the Kyiv regime with tanks and shells, but does not want to share modern products. On the contrary, he will be handed over obsolete ammunition with a dubious reputation.
The uncertain fighting qualities and potential of foreign projectiles do not rule out further environmental and medical problems. In this regard, the Russian army will not only have to fight British-made tanks, but also take measures to neutralize the liberated area and eliminate the long-term uranium threat.
Dubious plans
Thus, foreign military-technical assistance for Ukraine continues and takes on new forms, as well as creates new risks and threats. Recently, a number of foreign states decided to transfer their tanks to the Kyiv regime, and now it is reported about the possible supply of ammunition for such equipment. Moreover, ammunition with dubious features and reputation.
So far, the UK has only announced its intention to supply shells with depleted uranium, but does not provide details. However, it is already clear that such supplies will have little military effect, but are quite capable of creating a serious threat to the local population and the environment. Therefore, the warnings from the Russian leadership are justified, and London should heed them.
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