The end result of this coalition was the SP70 program, which was meant to be a highly mobile, long range 155 mm artillery system. Though the American M109 self-propelled howitzer was excellent, the nations of Europe was to reduce their reliance on American equipment.

The Panzerhaubitze 2000’s roots go all the way back in the 1970s, when numerous European nations wanted to pool their money and resources to produce a self-propelled gun (SPG) that was distinctly European. Afterall the enemies tanks shell travels much faster and could destroy your tank before your missile reaches them.A Dutch Panzerhaubitzer 2000 fires its mighty 155 mm, L/52 gun in Afghanistan. Together with the fact that many anti tank missiles have to be guided by the tanks gunner, it means to be sort of vulnerable in the whole process. The disadvantage of these missiles is their slow travelling speed. About 8 - 12 km (5 - 8 miles) or even more compared to regular shells which have a range of max.

However, due to the advantage of being further propelled in flight, they have a much greater range. Their penetration action largely works on the same principle has HEAT rounds and Tandem HEAT rounds. The further they fly, the more speed and therefor kinetic energy they loose due to air friction.īut because of their superior aerodynamic shape and high muzzle velocity, the penetration loss is not that much.Ĭertain tanks also have the option to fire anti tank missiles (ATM) or anti tank guided missiles (ATGM).

The disadvantage of these shells is that they are not equally effective on all ranges. Modern tank armour tries with its angled armour plates to lead the penetrating shell on a disadvantageous path. These shells are very powerful against modern tanks and it is sort of difficult to protect against it.

Modern-day TANK SHELS