Page 15 - History of War - Issue 25-16

MAIN BATTLE TANKS

Facts

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MAINBATTLETANKS

IN THE AIR AND ON LAND
For decades, engines that were
originally intended to be used with
aircraft have been adapted to serve as
powerplants for tanks. One example of
this is the Honeywell AGT1500, which
CHOBHAM ARMOUR powers the US M1 Abrams main battle
tank series.
SUPERIOR COMPOSITE ARMOUR PROTECTION SHARED TECHNOLOGY
First introduced: 1960s Country: Great Britain PUSHES THE ENVELOPE
By the mid-1960s, British scientists at Chobham Common developed a new generation of composite The development of the modern main
armour, and its actual composition remains classii ed. Chobham armour incorporates ceramic, well known battle tank has become a collaborative
for its hardness, and other components. Since its introduction, Chobham has been used in the main battle effort as nations such as the United
tanks of many countries and set a standard in the armaments industry. States, Great Britain, Germany, and
Japan have shared technology in
various systems.
L/44120MMSMOOTHBOREGUN

COMPETING WITH THE WARSAW PACT
First introduced: 1979 Country: Germany
In response to the development of Soviet-bloc anti-t
armour and emerging weapons platforms, Rheinmet
DeTec AG in West Germany began developing a mor
powerful weapon for the Leopard 2 main battle tank
smoothbore barrel was lined with chrome for extend
service life. The L/44 was adopted by the US Army,
later an improved version, the L/55, was introduced

HONEYWELLAGT1500MULTI-FUE

TURBINEENGINE

A QUIET, RELIABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT POWERP URBAN WARFARE The barrel of the L/55
First Introduced: 1970s Country: United States weighs 1,190kg
Gas turbine engines, both in the East and West, da MODIFICATIONS
prior to World War II. Introduction of the gas and la
multi-fuel turbine engine in tanks continued during THE DYNAMICS OF MODERN COMBAT IN
Cold War. The T-80 was the irst Soviet operationa URBAN SETTINGS PROMPTED CHANGE OPTIMISED SPACE
powered solely by a turbine engine. The US M1 Abr Founded: 1983 Country: Israel UTILISATION
series is powered by the Honeywell AGT1500, gen Following the 1982 incursion into Lebanon As technology has advanced, numerous
1,500 horsepower. by the Israel Defense Forces, the Merkava main battle tanks have incorporated an
main battle tank was modii ed for greater autoloader system that reduces the need
survivability in urban warfare settings, for a crewman to perform the task of
particularly narrow streets and multi-storey loading the main weapon.
buildings. Chain netting and rear-facing TANK CHASSIS MOUNT
cameras were among the improvements in the VARIOUS EQUIPMENT
Merkava II. The US Abrams series incorporates
The chassis of many main battle tanks
the TUSK (Tank Urban Survivability Kit) system.
are routinely coni gured or converted
Below: An M1 Abrams upgraded with the TUSK system to purposes other than direct combat,
has armour upgrades to the rear and bottom of the hull, including command vehicles, armoured
among other improvements
ambulances, bridging vehicles, and
communication and supply variants.
SKYROCKETING COSTS
COMPEL UPGRADES
Although technology continues to
advance, the armed forces of
many nations have opted
to implement longevity or
improvement programmes to
The gas turbine of an M1 Abrams their main battle tanks rather
is changed in ield conditions
than invest in completely new
combat systems.

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