RE: Letter to Congressman McDermott by Leuren Moret

["Vernig, Peter G." <Peter.Vernig@MED.VA.GOV>]

What about the affect of a high explosive anti tank weapon on DU armor?

HEAT rounds have shaped explosive so that a plasma jet of superheated gases

is formed just before or as it hits the target that burns into most metal

and causes "spaulation" that is pieces of metal from the inside of the tank

separate opposite the impact and separate from the inside skin and rattle

around the interior once again rather immediately hazardous to life and

health.  I have no idea whether or not the armor if DU often ignites and

burns but any inhalation hazard is definitely secondary to the effects of

being hit by an anti tank round.  And while ground troops might suffer from

exposure from a burning tank, they are usually smart enough to get out of

the smoke if only because it is an irritant.



Does anybody really think DU exposure on the battle field is significant,

especially when there are guys in different uniforms trying to kill you?



Enough?



-----Original Message-----

From: John Andrews [mailto:andrewsjp@chartertn.net]

Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 1:14 PM

To: Phil Hypes

Cc: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Re: Letter to Congressman McDermott by Leuren Moret





Phil Hypes wrote:



> I'm certain some fraction of the penetrator's mass is vaporized and 

> burns, but it's propably usually a *very* small fraction.  Most DU 

> rounds that pass completely through an armored vehicle come out the 

> other side looking like they could be reloaded and fired again.  They 

> are that unaffected by passing through the target.

>

> Any burning DU is a trivial concern inside an armored vehicle that has 

> been hit by a DU round.  The shrapnel, hydrualic fluids, and other 

> life-threatening hazards are the real concern, not a few measley 

> particles of DU.

>

> Phil Hypes

> Los Alamos Radiation Consultants

> laradcon@hotmail.com

> 505.920.9712



Phil, your experience and mine differ a little I guess.  Thin armour 

will not stop a large penetrator.  Tanks use penetrators designed to 

penetrate up to 2 feet of steel or more.  When this happens, there is 

nothing left to come out the other side.  Light armour, of course will 

not stop a large penetrator.  Smaller penetrators used in smaller guns 

are designed for this application.  I guess it all depends on the size 

of the round and the thickness and construction of the armour that it is 

used against.  In any case the DU will burn intensly but may not be 

consumed entirely.  Rounds that impact the earth seem to not burn as 

readily and may be left intact after plowing a long furrow.



Best wishes.

John Andrews

Knoxville, Tennessee







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