ArmorSim DM13 is a historical German kinetic energy penetrator available in ArmorSim, the terminal ballistics simulation sandbox developed by Timerlan Galimov. Classified under the German service ammunition registry, the round represents the 1979 entry-level 120 mm APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) featuring a tungsten alloy penetrator core.
Unlike conventional tank combat games that rely on arbitrary hit points or pre-scripted penetration values, ArmorSim resolves the impact of the DM13 dynamically through published terminal ballistics equations and continuum mechanics.
DM13 Specifications and German Arsenal Overview
In ArmorSim Update 2.0, the developer added dedicated service ammunition catalogs across American, Soviet/Russian, and German arsenals. The German projectile branch focuses exclusively on 120 mm tungsten alloy penetrators spanning from 1979 to 1999.
| Registry Name | Russian Designation | In-Service Year | Caliber | Penetrator Core Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DM13 | ДМ13 | 1979 | 120 mm | Tungsten Alloy |
| DM23 | ДМ23 | 1983 | 120 mm | Tungsten Alloy |
| DM33 | ДМ33 | 1987 | 120 mm | Tungsten Alloy |
| DM43 | ДМ43 | 1992 | 120 mm | Tungsten Alloy |
| DM53 | ДМ53 | 1999 | 120 mm | Tungsten Alloy |
Players can select the DM13 as a standard preset or enter the customization menu to modify specific projectile attributes, including rod length, diameter, and muzzle velocity.
How ArmorSim Solves DM13 Ballistics
When a DM13 projectile strikes a target in ArmorSim, the penetration outcome depends on which solver mode you run in the sandbox:
Normal Solver
The Normal mode executes analytic calculations in fractions of a second. It calculates penetrator erosion using Alekseevskii–Tate cavitation expansion formulas rather than simplified penetration tables. Residual rod velocity is governed by Recht–Ipson equations, ricochets are assessed via Rosenberg criteria, and spalling fragments are derived using Grady fragmentation models.
Advanced Solver
Advanced mode uses the same mathematical core as Normal mode but provides detailed per-layer energy accounting. When firing the DM13 into multi-layered spaced arrays or targets fitted with reactive armor, the solver reports the ballistic limit, wear fraction, and exact residual velocity after each plate. This allows you to inspect where the tungsten rod expended its kinetic energy.
Ultra and Super Modes
Ultra mode runs an axisymmetric Lagrangian continuum solver driven by Johnson–Cook plasticity, Mie-Grüneisen equations of state, adiabatic shear banding, and element erosion. Impacts are calculated frame by frame based on measured material constants like density and yield strength. Crater geometry, rod mushrooming, and plug ejections fall out of the physics rather than pre-rendered animations.
Sandbox Testing: DM13 Penetration Capabilities
In player testing with early access builds, the DM13 has been evaluated against both solid steel plate stacks and complex multi-material target modules.
In one documented sandbox test, a standard 1979 DM13 round was fired point-blank into a custom composite defensive array. The target configuration consisted of a 700 mm volumetric aluminum engine compartment containing internal voids, followed by ceramic carbide, fiberglass backing, a tungsten plate, and a modeled crew member behind the assembly.
The DM13 rod eroded through the engine compartment and pierced the composite plates, retaining sufficient residual velocity to pass straight through the anatomical human target module behind the array.
Against dense cast armor steel blocks without voids, early long-rod designs like the DM13 face severe rod erosion. In deeper penetration arrays, modern tungsten penetrators such as the DM53 or American depleted uranium rounds like the M829A3 consistently defeat more layers due to superior aspect ratios and material flow properties.
Early Access Performance and Setup Considerations
Testing the DM13 in ArmorSim requires keeping several simulation constraints in mind:
- Solver Selection: For rapid testing and plate tuning, use Normal or Advanced mode. Ultra and Super continuum modes require high CPU compute times and can generate replay files exceeding 20 GB.
- Angle Limitations: Ultra continuum mode only computes axisymmetric, normal-incidence (head-on) impacts. For sloped armor arrays or complex angles, run Advanced mode.
- Interface Language: In current early access builds, some projectile labels and registry descriptions in the ammunition picker still display in Russian (ДМ13) despite English UI settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What penetrator material does the DM13 use in ArmorSim?
The DM13 is cataloged in the German service round registry with a tungsten alloy penetrator core. It does not use depleted uranium, which is reserved in ArmorSim for select American rounds (such as M774, M833, and the M829 series) and Soviet rounds (such as 3BM32 and 3BM46).
Can you customize the DM13 in ArmorSim?
Yes. You can select the DM13 as a standard service preset or alter its caliber, flight velocity, and rod dimensions inside the shell customization panel.
Which solver should I use to test the DM13 against spaced armor?
Advanced mode is ideal for spaced and layered armor testing. It computes the entire projectile-target interaction chain, including rod erosion, plate bulging, ricochet, and per-layer residual velocity, without the lengthy render times of Ultra mode.
