This is really just an issue with apfsds in general, because other tanks will also receive buffs from this, while the abrams will definitely see the most benefit, I still think this will be a overall improvement for the game that claims to be “one of the most realistic tank and plane games.”
First off, the abrams glacis (I may use ufp interchangeably) is 32.8mm at a 82.5* angle. The turret ring is actually 50.8mm, but due to overlapping plates and the fact that the ring is not exposed its actually about 200-230mm depending on where you focus on, and the gap between the hull and turret is much smaller than shown in game. I’ve attached some photos for reference.
Real photos:
In game:
Now onto the next issue, shell shattering. If a sufficently thick plate is angled within a certain range and made of specific materials it will cause to shells to shatter upon impacting. However this range is quite small, >81* and the shell will not shatter, and <85* the shell will bounce like normal. Like previously stated the abrams ufp is well within this range at 82.5*. Tungsten does some strange stuff at 1700m/s, and acts more like a liquid than a solid (see the photos below as an example), and will start to bend upon impacting. The shattering mainly occurs due to the fact that long-rod apfsds is typically very thin, long, and made of metals that are very brittle when traveling at that speed. When the round impacts this sufficiently thick plate the force causes the round to bounce up and reverberate so much that this quasi liquid shatters and breaks into a bunch of tiny pieces.
Long rod apfsds shattering could still potentially cause damage, as its several hundred pieces of shrapnel traveling at still very high speeds, but due to the turret ring being much stronger than currently shown in game these shrapnel pieces will have little effect. This does not mean the abrams will be invincible in the front, as some may want it to be, but it simply helps in snap shot situations where abrams players will have to aim for incredibly small weakspots in order to kill an enemy, while the enemy can simply shoot the entire bottom half of the tank and win the fight. For a game that prides itself on realism and balance, this issue shows that it tends to not be realistic and balanced.
In conclusion while these potential changes may only be mainly focused on the abrams they will result in a massive positive change as a whole. It will not immediately “fix” the abrams, but it also will not make it absurdly broken, as it will simply mean that opposing players have to take a little bit longer to aim at its weak points which will still be very large, as the driver’s port, lfp, and gun mantlet will still be potential places to shoot.
Any constructive criticism is welcome and please keep it civil.
