LEOPARD 2A4 vs T-72B (1985) | 120mm DM33 APFSDS Armour Piercing Simulation

The Leopard 2A4 and T-72B are both mass produced MBTs, with the leopard 2 featuring the widespread Rh-120mm smoothbore cannon. The simiulation presents a ~1987 engagement scenario, with the impact of a DM33 APFSDS on the upper plate, from a range of ~, at a point where there is a gap in the ERA (such as around the towing eyes). It should be noted that impacting the ERA would have little effect on the result as it is Kontakt-1 which was designed to counter shaped charges, not APFSDS. This simulation does not represent a modern engagement between a Leopard 2 and a T-72, as both have improved greatly in firepower and protection, since the 80’s The performance of DM33 was purely derived from a Lanz-Odermatt calculation based off the diagram linked below. At 1500m the velocity was determined from a 75m/s drop over 1000m value given online (1650m/s muzzle velocity). At this velocity, the resultant LoS perforation against a 270BHN plate at 68° is 531mm (199mm thick plate). The plate is almost at the limit of penetration, aligning quite well with live-fire testing of 3BM32 Vant on Tankograd (195mm perforation limit failed to breach the plate). This gives the mass effectiveness of the armour at around , which is also close to the cited estimated value. DM33 Diagram: T-72B armour arrangement & performance: Tankograd T-72 Part 2 Amazing Thumbnail artwork from: Air-fox