P2_1 Using High Velocity Rounds to Slow Aerial Descent

Abstract

The 2010 film “The A-Team†features a scene where a M1 Abrams tank is falling and the primary armament is fired in an attempt to slow the rate of descent after losing two of three parachutes.  In order to change the momentum enough to return the impact velocity to typical levels, the main armament would have to fire 11 consecutive rounds (with negligible reload times) before impact.  This best case scenario shows that this method to slow the tank is unfeasible.