Tank

: This article is about armoured fighting vehicles. For other meanings, see Tank (disambiguation).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A tank is a tracked, armoured combat vehicle (armoured fighting vehicle), designed primarily to engage enemy forces by the use direct fire. A modern main battle tank (MBT) is distinguished by its high level of firepower, mobility and armour protection relative to other vehicles of its era. It can cross comparatively rough terrain at high speeds, but is fuel, maintenance, and ammunition-hungry and is logistically demanding. It has the heaviest armour of any vehicle on the battlefield, and carries a powerful weapon able to engage a wide variety of ground targets. It is among the most versatile and fearsome weapons on the battlefield, valued for its shock action against other troops and high survivability.

Related Topics:
Tracked - Armoured fighting vehicle - Direct fire - Main battle tank - Logistically - Armour - Shock action

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tank organizations (or armoured units) are usually employed with infantry in combined arms warfare, supported by engineers, artillery, aircraft, and other support arms. If not properly protected, tanks can be vulnerable to attack by infantry, mines, artillery, aircraft strikes.

Related Topics:
Armoured units - Infantry - Combined arms - Warfare - Engineers - Artillery - Aircraft

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tanks were first used in the First World War, to break the deadlock of the trenches, and they evolved to take the role of cavalry on the battlefield. The name "tank" first arose in British factories making the hulls of the first battle tanks: the workmen were given the impression they were constructing tracked water containers for the British Army, hence keeping the production of a fighting vehicle secret.

Related Topics:
First World War - Deadlock of the trenches - Cavalry - British Army

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tanks and tank tactics have undergone many generations of evolution over nearly a century. Although weapons systems and armour continue to be developed, many nations have been reconsidering the need for such heavy weaponry in a period characterised by unconventional warfare.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~