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For other uses, see Tank (disambiguation).
Tank
M1 Abrams
Soldiers from U.S. 3d Armoured Cavalry Regiment provide overwatch for troops from their M1 Abrams tank in Biaj, Iraq
TypeArmoured fighting vehicle
Place of originUnited Kingdom, France
Service history
In service1916 –
WarsWorld War I – present
Specifications (typical)
Armourvehicle armour of steel plate and other enhancements
Main
armament
large-calibre tank gun
Secondary
armament
antipersonnel and antiaircraft machine guns or autocannons
Enginemulti-fuel diesel or turbine engine
Suspensioncaterpillar track for cross-country mobility
Operational
range
400–600 km
Maximum speed 42 mph

BLACK PEOPLE

Mobility

Soviet T-80BV tank, with reactive armor (this photograph has been flipped left-to-right)
A Chinese Type 99 tank on display

The mobility of a tank is described by its battlefield or tactical mobility and its strategic mobility. Tactical mobility can be broken down firstly into agility, describing the tank's acceleration, braking, speed and rate of turn on various terrain, and secondly obstacle clearance: the tank's ability to travel over vertical obstacles like low walls or trenches or through water. Strategic mobility is the relative ease with which a military asset can be transported between theatres of operation and falls within the scope of military logistics.

Tank agility is a function of the weight of the tank due to its inertia while manoeuvring and its ground pressure, the power output of the installed power plant and the tank transmission and track design. In addition, rough terrain effectively limits the tank's speed through the stress it puts on the suspension and the crew. A breakthrough in this area was achieved during World War II when improved suspension systems were developed that allowed better cross-country performance and limited firing on the move. Systems like the earlier Christie or later torsion-bar suspension developed by Ferdinand Porsche dramatically improved the tank's cross-country performance and overall mobility.[1]

A main battle tank is highly mobile and able to travel over most types of terrain due to its continuous tracks and advanced suspension. The tracks disperse the significant weight of the vehicle over a large area, resulting in a ground pressure comparable to that of a walking man.[2] A tank can travel at approximately 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph) across flat terrain and up to 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) on roads, but due to the mechanical strain this places on the vehicle and the logistical strain on fuel delivery and tank maintenance, these must be considered "burst" speeds that invite mechanical failure of engine and transmission systems. Consequently, wheeled tank transporters and rail infrastructure is used wherever possible for long-distance tank transport. The limitations of long-range tank mobility can be viewed in sharp contrast to that of wheeled armoured fighting vehicles. The majority of blitzkrieg operations were conducted at the pedestrian pace of 5 kilometres per hour (3.1 mph), that only was achieved on the roads of France.[3]

Water operations

Gepanzerte Pioniermaschine fitted with the same snorkel as used on the Leopard 2 tank

In the absence of combat engineers, most tanks are limited to fording rivers. The typical fording depth for MBTs is approximately 1 metre (3.3 ft), being limited by the height of the engine air intake and driver's position. Modern Soviet tanks and the German Leopard I and Leopard II tanks can ford to a depth of 3-4 meters when properly prepared and equipped with a snorkel to supply air for the crew and engine. Tank crews usually have a negative reaction towards deep fording but it adds considerable scope for surprise and tactical flexibility in water crossing operations by opening new and unexpected avenues of attack.

Amphibious tanks are specially designed or adapted for water operations, but they are rare in modern armies, being replaced by purpose-built amphibious assault vehicles or armoured personnel carriers in amphibious assaults. Advances such as the EFA mobile bridge and MT-55 scissors bridge have also reduced the impediment to tank advance that rivers posed in World War II.[4]

Tank power plants

The tank's power plant supplies kinetic energy to move the tank, and electric power via a generator to components such as the turret rotation motors and the tank's electronic systems. The tank power plant has evolved from predominantly petrol and adapted large-displacement aeronautical or automotive engines during World Wars I and II, through diesel engines to advanced multi-fuel diesel engines, and powerful (per unit weight) but fuel-hungry gas turbines in the T-80 and M1 Abrams.

Tank power output in context:

Vehicle Power output Power/weight
Mid-sized car: Toyota Camry 2.4L 158 horsepower (118 kW) 106 hp/tonne
Sports car: Lamborghini Murciélago 6.5L 632 horsepower (471 kW) 383 hp/tonne
Racing car: Formula One car 3.0L 950 horsepower (710 kW) 2100 hp/tonne
Main battle tank: Leopard 2, M1 Abrams 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) 24.2, 24.5 hp/tonne
Locomotive: SNCF Class T 2000 2,581 horsepower (1,925 kW) 11.5 hp/tonne

Command, control and communications

German Army Leopard 2A6M that incorporates systems designed to be used in conjunction with a networked battlefield

Commanding and coordinating tanks in the field has always been subject to particular problems, particularly in the area of communications, but in modern armies these problems have been partially alleviated by networked, integrated systems that enable communications and contribute to enhanced situational awareness.

Early communications

Armoured bulkheads, engine noise, intervening terrain, dust and smoke, and the need to operate "buttoned up" are severe detriments to communication and lead to a sense of isolation for small tank units, individual vehicles, and tank crewmen. In World War I, situation reports were sent back to headquarters by releasing carrier pigeons through vision slits and communications between vehicles was accomplished using hand signals, handheld semaphore flags (which were still in use in the Red Army in World War Two) or close range verbal communication.[5]

Modern communications and the networked battlefield

On the modern battlefield an intercom mounted in the crew helmet provides internal communications and a link to the radio network, and on some tanks an external intercom on the rear of the tank provides communication with co-operating infantry. Radio networks employ radio voice procedure to minimise confusion and "chatter".

A recent development in AFV equipment and doctrine is Network-centric warfare (US) or Network Enabled Capability (UK). This consists of the increased integration of information from the fire control system, laser rangefinder, Global Positioning System and terrain information via hardened milspec electronics and a battlefield network to display all known information on enemy targets and friendly units on a monitor in the tank. The sensor data can be sourced from nearby tanks, planes, UAVs or (in the future) infantry. This improves the tank commander's situational awareness and ability to navigate the battlefield and select and engage targets. In addition to easing the reporting burden by automatically logging all orders and actions, orders are sent via the network with text and graphical overlays.

See also: Military communications; Command, control, and communications; and C4ISTAR

Research and development

Main article: Tank research and development
Artist's conception of the XM1202 Mounted Combat System

In terms of firepower, the focus of current R&D is on increased detection capability such as thermal imagers, automated fire control systems and increased muzzle energy from the gun to improve range, accuracy and armour penetration.[6] The most mature future gun technology is the electrothermal-chemical gun.[7] The XM291 electrothermal-chemical tank-gun has gone through successful multiple firing sequences on a modified M8 Armored Gun System chassis.[8]

To improve tank protection, one field of research involves making the tank invisible to radar by adapting stealth technologies originally designed for aircraft. A variety of camera and display technologies attempt to improve tank camouflage or even render it invisible. Research is also ongoing in electromagnetic armour systems to disperse or deflect incoming shaped charge jets.[9][10]

Mobility may be enhanced in future tanks by the use of diesel-electric or turbine-electric series hybrid drives improving fuel efficiency while reducing the size and weight of the power plant.[11] Furthermore, advances in gas turbine technology, including the use of advanced recuperators,[12] have allowed for reduction in engine volume and mass to less than 1 m3 and 1 metric ton, respectively, while maintaining fuel efficiency similar to that of a diesel engine.[13]

In line with the new doctrine of Network-centric warfare, the modern battle tank shows increasing sophistication in its electronics and communication systems.

Etymology

The word tank was first applied to the British "landships" in 1915, before they entered service, to keep their nature secret. There are at least three possible explanations of the precise origin of the term:

  1. One is it first arose in British factories making the hulls of the first battle tanks: workmen and possible spies were to be given the impression they were constructing mobile water containers or tanks for the British Army, hence keeping the production of a fighting vehicle secret.[14]
  2. Another is the term was first used in a secret report on the new motorized weapon presented to Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, by British Army Lt.-Col. Ernest Swinton. From this report, three possible terms emerged: cistern, motor-war car, and tank. Apparently tank was chosen due to its linguistic simplicity.[15]
  3. Perhaps the most compelling story comes from Churchill's authoritative biography. To disguise the device, drawings were marked "water carriers for Russia." When it was pointed out this might be shortened to "WCs for Russia," the drawings were changed to "water tanks for Russia." Eventually the weapon was just called a tank.[16]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Deighton (1979), Blitzkrieg, From the rise of Hitler to the fall of Dunkirk, pp. 154
  2. ^ Thompson and Sorvig (2000), Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors, p.51
  3. ^ Deighton (1979), Blitzkrieg, From the rise of Hitler to the fall of Dunkirk, p.180
  4. ^ Deighton (1979), Blitzkrieg, From the rise of Hitler to the fall of Dunkirk, pp.234-252
  5. ^ Wright 2002, Tank: The Progress of a Monstrous War Machine, p. 48,

    To the extent that they communicated at all, the tank crews did so by squeezing carrier pigeons out through a hole in a gun sponson, by brandishing a shovel through the manhole, or by frantically waving coloured discs in the air.
  6. ^ Pengelley, Rupert, A new era in tank main armament, pp. 1521 - 1531
  7. ^ Hilmes, Rolf (January 30, 1999), "Aspects of future MBT conception". Military Technology 23 (6): 7. Moench Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh.
  8. ^ Goodell, Brad (January 1, 2007), "Electrothermal Chemical (ETC) Armament Integration into a Combat Vehicle". IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Volume 23, Number 1, pp. 456-459.
  9. ^ Wickert, Matthias, Electric Armor Against Shaped Charges, pp. 426 - 429
  10. ^ Xiaopeng, Li, et. al., Multiprojectile Active Electromagnetic Armor, pp. 460 - 462
  11. ^ Electric/Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicles for Military Applications, pp. 132 - 144
  12. ^ McDonald, Colin F., Gas Turbine Recuperator Renaissance, pp. 1 - 30
  13. ^ Koschier, Angelo V. and Mauch, Hagen R., Advantages of the LV100 as a Power Producer in a Hybrid Propulsion System for Future Fighting Vehicles, p. 697
  14. ^ Willmott (2003), First World War
  15. ^ Barris (2007), Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age April 9-12 1917, p.116
  16. ^ Gilbert (1991), Churchill: A Life, p.298.

References

  • "Electric/Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicles for Military Applications". Military Technology (9/2007). Moench Verlagsgesellschaft mbH: 132–144. September 2007. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

  • Barris, Ted (2007), Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age April 9-12 1917, Thomas Allen Publishers, p. 116, ISBN 0887622534; ISBN 9780887622533
  • Cawthorne, Nigel (2003), Steel Fist: Tank Warfare 1939-45, London: Arcturus Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-572-02872-5
  • Cooper, Matthew and Lucas, James (1979), Panzer: The Armoured Force of the Third Reich, Book Club Associates{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Deighton, Len (1979), Blitzkrieg: From the rise of Hitler to the fall of Dunkirk, Fakenham: Fakenham Press Limited, ISBN 0-224-01648-2
  • DiNardo, Richard L. (January, 1986), The First Modern Tank: Gunther Burstyn and His Motorgeschutz, vol. 50, No.1, JSTOR: Society for Military History, pp. 12–15 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • Col. Eshel, David (2007), Assessing the performance of Merkava Tanks, Defense Update, retrieved 2008-05-16

  • Forty, George (2004), Tank Warfare in World War II, London: Constable & Robinson Ltd, ISBN 1-84119-864-1
  • Forty, George (2006), The World Encyclopedia of Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Lorenz Books, ISBN 0754817415

  • Komarow, Steven (2005), Tanks take a beating in Iraq, USA Today, retrieved 2008-05-16
  • Koschier, Angelo V. (2000). "Advantages of the LV100 as a Power Producer in a Hybrid Propulsion System for Future Fighting Vehicles". Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power. 122 (October 2000): 693–698. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

  • Marcus, Jonathan (2006), Tough lessons for Israeli armour, BBC News, retrieved 2008-05-26
  • McDonald, Colin F. (1990). "Gas Turbine Recuperator Renaissance". Heat Recovery Systems & CHP. 10 (1). Pergamon Press: 1–30. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Pengelley, Rupert (1989). "A new era in tank man armament: The options multiply". Janes International Defense Review (November 1989): 1521–1531. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

  • Regan, Geoffrey (1993), The Guinness Book of More Military Blunders, London: Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0851129617
  • Sharoni, Asher H. and Bacon, Lawrence D., The Future Combat System (FCS): Technology Evolution Review and Feasibility Assessment (PDF), GlobalSecurity.org, retrieved 2008-05-26{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Thompson, William J. and Sorvig, Kim (2000), Sustainable Landscape Construction: A Guide to Green Building Outdoors, Island Press, p. 51, ISBN 1-55963-646-7{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Time Life Books editors (1990), The Armored Fist, Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, ISBN 0-8094-8609-1; ISBN 0-8094-8608-3; ISBN 0-8094-8704-7 {{citation}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Chewed Up, Alexandria, Virginia: Time magazine, 5 April 1937, retrieved 2008-05-16
  • Tomes, Robert R. (Spring, 2004). "Relearning Counterinsurgency Warfare". Parameters. Vol. XXXIV, (No. 1, ). US Army War College: pp. 16-28. Retrieved 2008-05-26. {{cite journal}}: |issue= has extra text (help); |pages= has extra text (help); |volume= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)

  • von Senger und Etterlin, Dr. F. M. (1960), The World's Armoured Fighting Vehicles, London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.

  • Wickert, Matthias (January 2007). "Electric Armor Against Shaped Charges: Analysis of Jet Distortion With Respect to Jet Dynamics and Current Flow". IEEE Transaction on Magnetics. 43 (1). IEEE: 426–429. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Willmott, H.P. (2003), First World War, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 1405300299; ISBN-13 9781405300292
  • Wright, Patrick (2002), Tank: The Progress of a Monstrous War Machine, ISBN 978-0670030705
  • Xiaopeng, Li (January 2007). "Multiprojectile Active Electromagnetic Armor". IEEE Transaction on Magnetics. 43 (1): 460–462. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Zaloga, Steven J. and Grandsen, James (1984), Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two, London: Arms and Armour Press, ISBN 0-85368-606-8{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  • Hunnicutt, R. P. "Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank." 1984, Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-230-1.
  • Macksey, Kenneth (1976), Tank Warfare, A History of Tanks in Battle, London: Panther, ISBN 0-586-04302-0
  • Macksey, Kenneth and Batchelor, John H. (1970), Tank: A History of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle, New York: Scribner, ISBN 0345021665; ISBN 0356034615; ISBN 0684136511{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Ogorkiewicz, Richard M. (1968), Design and Development of Fighting Vehicles, London: MacDonald, ISBN 0-356-01461-4
  • Ogorkiewicz, Richard M. (1970), Armoured Forces: A History of Armoured Forces and Their Vehicles, Arms & Armour Press, ISBN 0-85368-049-3
  • Ogorkiewicz, Richard M. (1991), Technology of Tanks, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group, ISBN 0-7106-0595-1
  • Weeks, John (1975), Men Against Tanks: A History of Anti-Tank Warfare, New York: Mason Charter, ISBN 0-88405-130-7; ISBN 0-7153-6909-1
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