APFSDS Shot

APDS has a number of problems due to the unreliable ballistics of a long, dense projectile which finds itself rapidly spinning. To solve this issue, Soviet engineers designed Armour Piercing, Fin Stabiised, Discarding Sabot ammunition parallel to the T-62's 115mm U-5TS smoothbore cannon. During the mid-1960s, the eastern bloc had a practical monopoly on APFSDS technology, and it would not be until the 1970s that western powers developed their own versions. During this era, APFSDS shot was made out of steel with an optional tungsten carbide tip.