Gamma-Ray Exposure Hazard due to Stowage of M-774 APFSDS (Armour- Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding-Sabot) Rounds in a Leopard C-1 Main Battle Tank

Abstract : The M-744 APFSDS anti-tank round contains a depleted-uranium penetrator of 3.4 kgram mass. Since depleted uranium is naturally radioactive, the storage of a substantial number of these rounds inside a Leopard C-1 main battle tank creates a gamma radiation field within the vehicle. Gamma-ray exposure rates have been measured using a sodium-iodide spectrometer at each of the four crew-member locations and for two turret orientations, with 59 rounds stowed in the vehicle. In all cases the measured gamma-ray dose rates were less than a maximum of 0.17 millirad per hour observed at the loader's position. Assuming the loader spent an entire week (168 hours) at his station, his integrated dose would amount to 29 mRad - approximately a factor of 4 lower than the maximum currently allowed by Canadian Forces regulations. It is therefore concluded that the M774 round does not represent a significant gamma radiation hazard to Leopard C1 crewmembers.