What happens if we get shot in a tank?

If we are hit inside a tank, what happens to us and our crew depends on the model of the tank. In this blog, we will examine the events that can occur to the tank and our crew depending on the type of tank shell that strikes our tank. 

If the tank is hit by an AP (Armor-Piercing) round, the AP shell enters the tank at speeds greater than the speed of sound, and both fragments from the shell and the tank’s armor can penetrate into the crew compartment, possibly severing limbs of some crew members. If the shell hits the ammunition or fuel tank, the tank will explode directly, and in this case, everyone inside the tank will be burned alive and shredded apart.

Our second type of shell is the APHE (Armor-Piercing High-Explosive) shell. When the APHE shell penetrates the tank’s armor and enters, it detonates, dispersing numerous shrapnel throughout the tank’s interior. This shrapnel can create multiple holes in the bodies of the crew members. Additionally, there is a higher chance that the shrapnel will hit the ammunition or fuel tank, making APHE shells particularly dangerous for the crew.

The third type of shell is HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank). This type of round penetrates the tank’s armor at a point as small as a pinky finger and spreads molten metals inside the tank. These molten metals can definitely cause a fire inside the tank. Furthermore, HEAT shells have a very high armor-penetrating capacity, which means they have a 100% chance of penetrating the tank’s armor.

The fourth type of shell is APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot). The sabot round penetrates the tank’s armor and there have been instances where sabot rounds have entered through the front and exited through the back. When a sabot shell penetrates, it renders the tank inoperable. If the shell does not hit the ammunition, there is a greater chance for the tank crew to survive.

In general, if our tank gets hit while we are inside, these events will occur to us and our crew. Of course, the specific outcomes depend on the model and sophistication of the tank. For example, modern tanks often have a hatch that separates the ammunition from the crew. In the event of ammunition detonation, these hatches protect the crew. Additionally, in modern tanks, safety hatches are designed to vent explosions outside, and there are also automatic fire suppression systems present.