Anne Lewis-Russ, Harold R. Roberts, “Uranium,” Discovery Channel School, original content provided by World Book Online,
http://www.discoveryschool.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozscience/u/577660.html
11/10/01.
The new 25mm Armor-Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APFSDS-T), M919 Cartridge is intended to supplement the currently fielded Armor Piercing M791 as the primary service round.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m919.htm
11/11/01
The M829E3 is the Army’s next generation 120mm Armor-piercing Tank round. It replaces the M829A1 and the M829A2 projectiles. These rounds are widely regarded as the most effective tank-fired anti-armor weapons in the world. The E3 round will provide the army greater armor penetration capability than its two predecessors and also with improved accuracy.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m829a1.htm
11/11/01
03 May 1999
FACT SHEET: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DESCRIBES DEPLETED URANIUM USE
(Element useful to blunt anti-tank weapons) (1050)
Washington — A number of questions have surfaced recently regarding
the use of depleted uranium against military targets in the Former
Republic of Yugoslavia as part of NATO’s ongoing air campaign
“Operation Allied Force.”
Last year the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a fact sheet
explaining its use of depleted uranium (DU) to answer questions about
what it is and to respond to associated health concerns because the
U.S. military used depleted uranium munitions and armor during the
Persian Gulf war for the first time. DU is particularly effective as a
weapon to penetrate armored tanks and vehicles.
This fact sheet ran originally on the Washington File on the day it
was issued by the Pentagon: August 4, 1998.
(begin text)
What is uranium?
Uranium is a weakly radioactive element that occurs naturally in the
environment. Each of us ingests and inhales natural uranium every day
from the natural uranium in our air, water, and soil. The amount
varies depending upon the natural levels found in the area in which
you live and the levels found in the areas where the food you eat and
the water you drink are produced. Consequently, each of us has some
level of uranium in our body, which is eliminated in the urine. In
areas where the natural uranium level in the soil or water is high,
these levels can be substantially higher.
Enriched uranium (uranium that is more radioactive than natural
uranium) is used in nuclear power reactors and very highly enriched
uranium is used in some nuclear weapons.
What is depleted uranium?
Depleted uranium (sometimes known as DU) is uranium that is 40 percent
less radioactive than natural uranium, while retaining identical
chemical properties.
The United States Armed Forces used depleted uranium munitions and
armor for the first time during the Gulf War. Depleted uranium’s
ability to protect our soldiers’ lives was clearly demonstrated.
Depleted uranium is the most effective material for these uses because
of its high density and the metallic properties that allow it to
“self-sharpen” as it penetrates armor. In contrast, anti-tank
munitions made from other materials (tungsten compounds) tend to
mushroom and become blunt as they penetrate. Armor containing depleted
uranium is very effective at blunting antitank weapons.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/docs/990503-du.htm
11/11/01
+ Uranium is a very heavy (dense) metal which can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy.
+ It occurs in most rocks in concentrations of 2 to 4 parts per million and is as common in the earth’s crust as tin, tungsten and molybdenum. It occurs in seawater, and could be recovered from the oceans if prices rose significantly.
+ It was discovered in 1789 in the mineral called pitchblende. It was named after the planet Uranus, which had been discovered eight years earlier.
+ Uranium was apparently formed in super novae about 6.6 billion years ago.
+ While it is not common in the solar system, today its radioactive decay provides the main source of heat inside the earth, causing convection and continental drift.
+ The high density of uranium means that it also finds uses in the keels of yachts and as counterweights for aircraft control surfaces (rudders and elevators), as well as for radiation shielding.
+ Its melting point is 1132oC. The chemical symbol for uranium is U.
http://www.uic.com.au/uran.htm
11/11/01
Uranium
Andrew G. Renken
Chemistry for Engineers
November 12, 2001