On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 8:43 AM, Ethan McKinney
<xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Wind drag strips it off.  In space, you could just glue it on.  If you
>> can build gyros and sensors sturdy enough to withstand the launch, you
>> could use the space in the sabot for guidance.
>
>
> You could use gyros, but spinning the projectile is very simple. Depends on
> size and type of shell.

True, but when the western units went to the DS rounds, they also went
to a 120mm smooth bore.  No rifling, no spin.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_120_mm_gun

I am not sure that spinning it will stabilize it in a vacuum.  I was
under the impression it acted in concert with air drag.  IDK, though.

>
> And yes, stabilization does matter, even in space. It's not just cross-winds
> and wind resistance, it's also that any projectile will tumble faster or
> slower as a result of slight asymmetries while coming out of the barrel.

Hmmm.  Passive sensor, micro thrusters, and guidance package in the
space occupided by the sabot collar?

Interesting.....

 --

"Any sufficiently advanced parody is indistinguishable from a genuine
kook." -Alan Morgan