The tank remains the King of the Modern Battlefield. The "tank" came into its own during World War 1, appearing in a variety of primitive forms. Designed initially to navigate the miles of trenches and obstacles and take on the dreaded machine gun emplacements along the Front, the tank was utilized in more of a supportive role. The first tank-versus-tank battle took place in the conflict between British and German tanks with results essentially inconclusive. As experience began to dictate function, the tank was later used to spearhead offensives, breaking down enemy defenses and causing general havoc behind enemy lines. In the end, the system became a permanent fixture of the battlefield, evolving into a primary component to any successful land campaign.
German use of specialized tactics in World War 2 would bring about a new level of armor warfare, showcasing the power inherent in a fast-moving and methodical army paired up with unrelenting and coordinated dive bombing tactics. World War 2 forever changed the way armored land wars would be fought and brought about the desperate need to develop counter "anti-tank" weapons accordingly.
The Cold War ratcheted up tank design to whole new levels. The tank destroyer was dropped in favor of creating a new battle tank class that encompassed the many needs of the tank commander and his crew. The Main Battle Tank was born and grew into heavier and more lethal systems than anything before it featuring long-range guns, reliable engines and even auto-loaders.
Today, rumors abound about the impending death of the tank thanks to the improvements made to "smart" anti-tank, armor-defeating missile technology. Regardless, the tank continues to soldier on, appearing with evermore sophisticated weaponry, countermeasures and GPS guided munitions, making sure that the system will still be around for some time to come. |
