Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot

The Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) round or kinetic energy penetrator (also known as a KE weapon) is a type of ammunition which, like a bullet, does not contain explosives and uses kinetic energy to penetrate the target.
This is a special kind of round that uses small diameter penetrator made of a high density composition fired at extremely high velocity to pierce armor or hard targets, such as a Jiralhanae.
The principle of the kinetic energy penetrator is that it uses its kinetic energy, which is a function of mass and velocity, to force its way through armor instead of high explosive or chemical reactions. The modern KE weapon maximizes KE and minimizes the area over which it is delivered by:
*Being fired with a very high muzzle velocity, concentrating the force in a small impact area while still retaining a relatively large mass
*Maximizing the mass of whatever (albeit small) volume is occupied by the projectile—that is, using the densest metals practical, which is one of the reasons depleted uranium is often used.
*This has led to the current designs, which resemble a long metal arrow.
==APFSDS in Halo universe==
APFSDS rounds are most commonly known for appearing in Halo in the Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel, Sniper Rifle System 99C-Series 2 Anti-Matériel, Sniper Rifle System 99C-Series 2 Anti-Matériel B and the Sniper Rifle System 99D-Series 2 Anti-Matériel. These weapons fire a 14.5x114mm cartridge at high velocity and leave a noticeable smoke trail. When used in skillful hands, the APFSDS round can take out even a shielded enemy with one well-placed shot, usually to the head.
==Trivia==
*Currently, the term "APFSDS" is reserved for large tank-mounted weapons. In small arms such as the Halo sniper rifles, it is called a fléchette.
==Gallery==
File:Sabot separating.gif|A real-world picture of a sabot separating from the KE penetrator.
File:Ammo -Sniper.png|A 14.5mm APFSDS round from The Art of Halo 3.
File:Bloodline 14.5x114mm APFSDS Sabot Separation.png|The sabot separating from a 14.5x114mm kinetic energy penetrator round from Halo: Blood Line.
Category:Ammunition