Re: Soviet tanks and missiles....

Well, the US used to have one, the M60A2 ,which fired a Shillaleagh
missile,
same one used on the Sheridan, from a short tube launcher, along with HE
and
HEAT conventional rounds. In addition to some technical problems
(reliability, etc.) it had one huge tactical problem - the slow time of
flight of the missile. In the time it took the missile to get to it's
target, the target or it's overwatch could put 4-5 rounds back down
range at
the M60A2, probably taking the M60A2 out before the missile impacted.
Needless to say, the M60A2 was NOT well liked by it's crews.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Oerjan Ohlson" <oerjan.ohlson@telia.com>
To: <gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu>
Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: Soviet tanks and missiles....

> Jason S. wrote:
>
> >If I remember correctly, various models of soviet tanks were designed
to
> >fire guided missiles from their main guns, like a standard round.
>
> Correct. The Israelis do it too, BTW.
>
> >What was the idea behind this and is the idea still in use or has it
been
> >more or less phased out?
>
> The idea is to be able to hit accurately with a decent punch out to a
range
> of 5 km, rather than be unable to hit anything much beyond 2.5 km.
>
> The main reason why Western tanks don't have them is that Western
tanks
> were originally designed to fight in western and central Europe, where
> lines-of-sight of 5 km are almost unheard of and even 2-3 km are
rather
> uncommon <g>
>
> >I mean, with the range and power of more modern APDS and HEAT rounds,
why
> >would you need a slower projectile, even if its guided?
>
> Modern APFSDS (APDS are no longer modern!) don't hit very well beyond
3-3.5
> km - and that's with *western* equipment. HEAT are even less accurate
> thanks to their lower velocity. If you want to hit moving targets at
> extreme ranges, ATGMs are pretty much your only hope.
>
> Besides, if modern HEAT rounds have their power increased you can use
> exactly the same technology to boost the punch of your ATGMs - they
use
> HEAT warheads too, after all.
>
> Regards,
>
> Oerjan
> oerjan.ohlson@telia.com
>
> "Life is like a sewer.
>   What you get out of it, depends on what you put into it."
> -Hen3ry
>