Gun mantlet
Encyclopedia
A gun mantlet is an armour
plate or shield attached to an armoured fighting vehicle
's gun, protecting the opening through which the weapon's barrel projects from the hull or turret
armour and, in many cases, ensuring the vulnerable warhead
of a loaded shell
does not protrude past the vehicle's armor into the easily penetrated barrel. On many tanks during World War II
, the gun mantlet covered both the main gun and any coaxial armament
, and had the thickest armor on the vehicle.
Vehicle armour
Military vehicles are commonly armoured to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, protecting the personnel inside from enemy fire. Such vehicles include tanks, aircraft, and ships....
plate or shield attached to an armoured fighting vehicle
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
's gun, protecting the opening through which the weapon's barrel projects from the hull or turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
armour and, in many cases, ensuring the vulnerable warhead
Warhead
The term warhead refers to the explosive material and detonator that is delivered by a missile, rocket, or torpedo.- Etymology :During the early development of naval torpedoes, they could be equipped with an inert payload that was intended for use during training, test firing and exercises. This...
of a loaded shell
Shell (projectile)
A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot . Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used...
does not protrude past the vehicle's armor into the easily penetrated barrel. On many tanks during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the gun mantlet covered both the main gun and any coaxial armament
Weapon mount
A weapon mount is a weapon component used to secure an armament. Weapon mounts can be broken down into two categories: static mounts and non-static mounts.-Static mount:...
, and had the thickest armor on the vehicle.