What exactly is "sabot" and why was it used against innocent civilians in Iraq?

Question

....and yes it was used. Learned about it from a few US troops ..they said it couldsuck a person through a car window. They also said it was used by the US but not by Iraq.

I am not complaining. I simply wanted to know if "sabot" was capable of doing what I was told it could do. Now I have a better understanding. I thank you for not getting TOO mad.

Answer 1

Unless the innocent civilians were in an armored vehicle a sabot round would not be fired, To destroy a car a high explosive round would be used.

Also Russian tanks such as the T62 & T72, used by the Iraqi military do have the capability to use sabot ammunition.

Sounds like few US troops were messing with you.



A sabot refers to a device named for a shoe used in a firearm or cannon to fire a projectile or bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter. Since a strong seal is needed to trap propellant gasses behind the projectile, and keep the projectile centered in the barrel, something is needed to fill the gap between projectile and barrel, which is the role of the sabot. Made of some lightweight material (usually plastic in smallbore guns, and aluminum - and in earlier times; wood - in cannon), the sabot usually consists of several pieces held in place by the cartridge or a loose connection. When the projectile is fired, the sabot blocks the gas, and accelerates the projectile down the barrel. When the sabot reaches the end of the barrel, the shock of hitting still air pulls the parts of the sabot away from the projectile, allowing the projectile to continue in flight.

Sabots are used to fire the flechettes that form anti-armour kinetic energy penetrators.

The name "sabot" comes from a wooden shoe traditionally worn in some European countries, synonymous with clogs. The word is of French origin. The word sabotage was supposedly derived from sabot, as people would drop these wooden shoes into machinery when displeased with the conditions of their employment in order to stop production.

M829 120mm, APFSDS-T
The 120mm, M829 series, depleted uranium armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot-tracer (APFSDS-T) is the primary anti-armor 120mm smooth bore, M256 cannon, tank ammunition in service with the M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams tanks. This second generation kinetic energy projectile is capable of penetrating the frontal slope of all fielded armor systems and it's high technology penetrator and sabot design provides a munition which is accurate at all combat ranges. It's primary function is the destruction of threat tanks and armor fighting vehicles. Target penetration is affected strictly by the high kinetic energy of the DU core when it impacts. Like other DU munitions, these are identifiable by their black color with white markings on the projectile (pointed) end. M829 series ammunition is loaded and fired in the normal manner. This ammunition will not be fired over the heads of friendly troops unless troops are protected by adequate cover as they may be struck by the discarded sabot.

Answer 2

A sabot refers to a device named for a shoe used in a firearm or cannon to fire a projectile or bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter. Since a strong seal is needed to trap propellant gasses behind the projectile, and keep the projectile centered in the barrel, something is needed to fill the gap between projectile and barrel, which is the role of the sabot. Made of some lightweight material (usually plastic in smallbore guns, and aluminum - and in earlier times; wood - in cannon), the sabot usually consists of several pieces held in place by the cartridge or a loose connection. When the projectile is fired, the sabot blocks the gas, and accelerates the projectile down the barrel. When the sabot reaches the end of the barrel, the shock of hitting still air pulls the parts of the sabot away from the projectile, allowing the projectile to continue in flight.

Answer 3

Quote: "A sabot refers to a device named for a shoe used in a firearm or cannon to fire a projectile or bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter. Since a strong seal is needed to trap propellant gasses behind the projectile, and keep the projectile centered in the barrel, something is needed to fill the gap between projectile and barrel, which is the role of the sabot. Made of some lightweight material (usually plastic in smallbore guns, and aluminum - and in earlier times; wood - in cannon), the sabot usually consists of several pieces held in place by the cartridge or a loose connection. When the projectile is fired, the sabot blocks the gas, and accelerates the projectile down the barrel. When the sabot reaches the end of the barrel, the shock of hitting still air pulls the parts of the sabot away from the projectile, allowing the projectile to continue in flight.

Sabots are used to fire the flechettes that form anti-armour kinetic energy penetrators.

For reasons why a smaller diameter projectile is desirable, see external ballistics and terminal ballistics.

Sabot-type shotgun slugs were marketed in the U.S. starting in about 1985. When used with a rifled slug barrel, they offer vastly improved accuracy compared to traditional shotgun slugs. They are now legal for hunting in most states.

The name "sabot" comes from a wooden shoe traditionally worn in some European countries, synonymous with clogs. The word is of French origin. The word sabotage was supposedly derived from sabot, as people would drop these wooden shoes into machinery when displeased with the conditions of their employment in order to stop production."

Yes, Sabot rounds are used. In fact, I own a few boxes of them.

Answer 4

I believe what you are trying to complain about is a Flechette round (see description below) used with a sabot. There are sabot round but mostly used against armor. Take a look at the Room Broom also described below. Would you like something even easier to complain about the 50 caliber machine gun you see mounted on every American vehicle is against the Geneva Convention.

Sabot Round -The sub-projectile's hyper-velocity ensures that it strikes its target with devastating impact. By using very dense materials in the sub-projectile the stored kinetic energy is magnified greatly. The terminal effect of the sub-projectile striking the target sees huge kinetic energy release. In milliseconds, the sub-projectile punches through the target armor, instantaneously generating massive heat and pressure. As the long rod penetrator enters the vehicle, friction with the armor plate creates burning incandescent spall, which sprays the interior. The burning spall has an explosive effect.

XM1028 or Room Broom- is, in effect, a 120mm shotgun shell. But it's no ordinary shotgun shell, for sure: a typical OO buckshot round 2 ¾" long contains 9 pellets. But the XM1028 cartridge contains 1,100 tungsten steel balls that are expelled and immediately begin dispersing once they exit the cannon muzzle.

Flechette- The word flechette is French and means, "dart" (literally, "little arrow"). It is a projectile having the form of a small metal dart, usually steel, with a sharp-pointed tip and a tail with several vanes to stabilize it during flight.

God Bless You and Our Southern People.

Answer 5

A sabot is a wrapper around a projectile. It is usually used to fire a smaller projectile though a larger bore. It traps the gas from going around the projectile and making it just fall out the end of the barrel.

Answer 6

A sabot round is firearm ammunition that is designed to shred. Rather than a chunk of metal bullet, it creates several slivers of a metal bullet.

So I don't know about sucking through a car window.

Nor do I know about the innocence (or guilt) you mention. Without those facts, I wouldn't comment on it.

Answer 7

Sabot is French foot fighting.

Answer 8

sabot is a type of bullet, i think. if it sucks you through a window, it will be in pieces. and how is this any different from someone detonating a hidden bomb in a shopping place or mosque, killing innocents? war is hell, no matter what side your on.

Answer 9

More innocents are killed by indiscriminate car bombs and IEDs set by insurgents than are killed by American soldiers. Mistakes happen, but the difference is the vast majority of deaths at the hands of Americans are accidental or the direct result of insurgents using them as human shields while the insurgents target civilians to induce terror (thus the label terrorist).