Airborne Artillery: Can an Explosive Round Destroy Modern Tanks?

Questions around the effectiveness of exploding ordinance dropped from aircraft on modern military targets are complex and fascinating. This article explores the potential of artillery rounds, modified to be dropped from planes, in destroying modern tanks. The answer, as is often the case, is: it depends. This depends on the type of round, the height from which it is dropped, and the velocity it attains.

Evolution of Aerial Bombing

During World War I, the initial role of aircraft was to observe enemy positions for artillery targeting. As technology advanced and aircraft became more capable, they evolved into bombers capable of dropping bombs. Additionally, aircraft not only targeted ground positions but also engaged in aerial combat.

Understanding Artillery Rounds

Artillery rounds come in two primary varieties: shot and shell. Shot is a solid mass intended to use its kinetic energy to penetrate and destroy its target. Modern armor-piercing tank rounds are a subset of shot. Shell is an explosive round designed to explode upon impact or at a specific altitude. Most modern artillery rounds are shells, but some are also engineered to utilize kinetic energy to enhance their explosive charge.

Evaluation of Artillery Rounds for Antitank Use

Modern artillery specifically designed for antitank use usually operates in one of two ways. The first method involves a shell that detonates above the tank, aiming to utilize shrapnel to penetrate its thinner top armor. The second method deploys sub-munitions with a "smart" component that targets tanks and releases a high-speed jet of molten metal, similar to the high-velocity tungsten penetrator used in modern anti-tank guns. This dual-role of combining kinetic and explosive energy makes these rounds particularly effective in various combat situations.

Drop Tests and Their Implications

Can an artillery round, particularly one modified for aerial use, effectively destroy a modern tank? To answer this, we must consider several factors. The primary focus is on the round's design, the height from which it is dropped, and the velocity it gains in flight.

Height and Velocity: Dropping an artillery shell from an airplane at high altitude maximizes its terminal velocity, which is crucial for the round's effectiveness. However, even a modified artillery round requires a sufficient velocity and certain angle to ensure it can reach the target and impact with the necessary destructive force. If the bomb is dropped from an extremely low height, its velocity and impact angle become critical factors. An extremely slow velocity means the round may not gain enough momentum to penetrate the tank's armor, significantly reducing its destructive potential.

Real-World Implications and Conclusion

Historically, the effectiveness of aerial artillery in destroying modern tanks has been mixed. While some successful instances have been recorded, the outcomes often vary based on the type of round, the height from which it is dropped, and the velocity it attains. In practical scenarios, modern tanks are equipped with advanced armor systems designed to deflect or nullify the impact of aerial detonations, limiting the effectiveness of such attacks.

In conclusion, the effectiveness of an artillery round dropped from an airplane on a modern tank highly depends on several variables. The round's design, the height from which it is dropped, and the velocity it gains are all critical factors in determining its destructive potential. While an artillery round, if properly designed and dropped from sufficient height and velocity, can indeed be an effective weapon against modern tanks, the principles of physics and military tactics heavily influence its success.

Keywords

artillery round bombing effectiveness modern tank kinetic energy shrapnel