Tank

In 1487, Leonardo Da Vinci designed the first tank.

In 1903, French artillery captain Léon Levavasseur proposed the Levavasseur project, a self-propelled cannon moved by a caterpillar system and fully armored for protection. The project included an 80 hp petrol engine, crew of three, storage for ammunition, and cross-country ability.

In 1907, Benjamin Holt of the Holt Manufacturing Company filed a US patent for a crawler type tractor, marking a significant innovation in the development of tracked vehicles.

In 1908, a proposal for a tracked armoured vehicle was put forward in England, however, it did not generate interest from military authorities.

In 1911, Austrian engineering officer Günther Burstyn proposed the Motorgeschütz, a fighting vehicle with a gun in a rotating turret. However, his design was rejected by the Austrian government.

In 1912, Australian civil engineer Lancelot de Mole proposed a fully tracked vehicle design. Despite having a scale model, his proposal was rejected by the Australian government.

In 1914, the British War Office conducted trials on a Holt tractor, ultimately selecting it as a gun-tractor due to its suitability for hauling heavy loads over uneven terrain. Despite being less powerful than other tractors, the Holt's availability in quantity made it a practical choice for military operations.

Little Willie, the first tank prototype designed by William Tritton, was completed and tested on December 3, 1915. However, its trench-crossing ability was found to be insufficient.

Walter Gordon Wilson developed the rhomboidal design known as His Majesty's Landship Centipede, later renamed 'Mother', which was the first of the 'Big Willie' types of true tanks. It was completed on January 29, 1916, with successful trials leading to an order of 100 units by the War Office.

An order for 100 tank units to be used on the Western front in France was placed by the War Office on February 12, 1916. This marked a significant step in the deployment of tanks in warfare.

In May 1916, the first production tanks were labeled with a caption in Russian translating to 'With Care to Petrograd'. This was done to mislead the Germans and perpetuate the misconception that the tanks were snowploughs meant for Russia.

On the morning of 15 September 1916, tanks crossed no man's land into German territory. These tanks were developed from the experimental prototype 'Little Willie' by Fosters of Lincoln. The tanks were slow-moving and heavily armored, requiring multiple crew members to operate.

On September 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, the first offensive using tanks took place. Forty-nine Mark I tanks were used, with thirty-two being mechanically fit. Despite some local successes, the overall impact was limited.

On November 20, 1917, at Cambrai, the British Tank Corps achieved success with over 400 tanks penetrating almost 6 miles. This battle demonstrated the potential of tanks in warfare.

On April 24, 1918, at the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, the first tank vs. tank battle of World War I took place involving the A7V. The battle ended without a clear winner.

On August 8, 1918, the Australian, Canadian, and British forces achieved a significant victory with 600 tanks in the Battle of Amiens. General Ludendorff referred to this date as the 'Black Day' of the German Army.

American tank units, equipped with Renault FT tanks, entered combat for the first time on September 12, 1918, during the Saint-Mihiel offensive against the German forces. Despite facing challenges like mud, fuel shortages, and mechanical failures, the attack was successful, providing valuable combat experience.

By the armistice of November 11, 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) were critically short of tanks as no American-made tanks were completed in time for combat use during World War I.

An armored fighting vehicle that entered service in 1919 during World War I. It was produced in the United States and had a crew size of 11.

The U.S. National Defense Act of 1920 placed the Tank Corps under the Infantry, indicating the tank's role within the military structure. General George Patton advocated for an independent Tank Corps but preferred cavalry over infantry for tank operations.

In April 1922, the US War Department issued a policy statement defining the primary mission of tanks as supporting the advance of riflemen in attacks.

The General Staff reluctantly approved the development of a 23-ton tank in 1926, despite efforts to produce a satisfactory 15-ton vehicle. This decision was made to meet War Department and infantry requirements.

Secretary Davis' 1928 directive led to the assembly and encampment of an experimental mechanized force at Camp Meade, Maryland, involving various military elements.

The Christie tank, with its ability to operate on tracks and wheels, had advantages such as high speeds. However, it faced controversy over mechanical reliability and the convertible principle, which was eventually abandoned in 1938.

Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur directed all arms and services to adopt mechanization and motorization, with a focus on enhancing combat vehicles for different operations.

In 1933, the German Army started manufacturing panzers, a series of tanks that became a significant part of Germany's tank production during World War II.

Despite plans to produce thousands of tanks, only 125 were ever manufactured due to production delays and industrial deterioration in France. By 1934, the tanks were either in storage, sold to Canada for training purposes, or scrapped.

A light tank/tankette that entered service in 1935 during World War II. It was produced in the United States and had a crew size of 2.

French tank production accelerated in 1936, but doctrinal problems persisted, leading to an inflexible structure in 1940 with separate types of armored divisions.

The War Department modified its 1931 directive, assigning the development of mechanization to the cavalry and infantry only.

On the eve of WWII, the Soviet Union had the largest supply of well-armed tanks, surpassing other countries like Britain, Italy, the U.S., and France. This highlighted the significant production increase of tanks in the Soviet Union.

A medium tank that entered service in 1940 during World War II. It was produced in the United States and had a crew size of 6.

On April 11, 1941, the Detroit Arsenal plant workers finished the first tank, the 30-ton M3, known as the General Lee, and presented it to the Army as a gift in a public ceremony.

President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the Detroit Arsenal in July 1942.

Around 2,000 Sherman Firefly conversion tanks were produced between 1943 and 1945. The tank was based on the US M4 Sherman and fitted with the British 17-pounder anti-tank gun.

During WWII, the British forces introduced the Challenger tank A30, armed with a 76mm Ordnance QF 17 pounder and Browning machine gun. It had a crew of five and its chassis was based on the successful Crowell tank, known for its balance of armament, protection, speed, and reliability.

In July 1945, the Chief of Ordnance requested the formation of Industry Committee to recommend the establishment of Detroit Arsenal Laboratories, which was approved in April 1945.

The Keller Committee, consisting of various companies, recommended the formation of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Components Laboratory in 1946 to study military ground vehicle technologies.

In 1947, the cross-drive transmission was developed with General Motors for the Patton series of tanks, enabling neutral steer and improved maneuverability.

In 1948, combat vehicles were standardized with a 24-volt electrical system, enhancing their operational efficiency.

In July 1950, the Detroit Arsenal was producing M26 Pershing and M46 Patton tanks at a rate of over a dozen tanks a day. The M46 Patton was used by the American Army during the Korean War. The M47 and M48 tanks were upgrades to the M46.

The M41 Walker Bulldog, a light tank, was put into service in 1951 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. It had a crew size of 4 and was one of the most produced tanks with 3,728 units.

In 1952, the first composite armor was developed, which was twice as effective as steel against shaped charges.

On July 15, 1954, a new 350,000 sq. ft. facility was dedicated at Detroit Arsenal, which was considered the largest of its kind in the world.

In 1956, the 15-million-volt Beatrong was developed to detect flaws in armor, which was shared with Wayne State School of Medicine, marking the first such cooperation between the Army and a civilian group.

In 1957, the development of Dynamic Armor began, which was the first known attempt at active protection.

In 1959, the M60 Patton Main Battle Tank was introduced, powered with a Continental 1790 750 hp air-cooled diesel engine and CD850 Allison cross drive transmission. The M60 became a significant part of the U.S. fighting force for the next 20 years.

The M60 (Patton) main battle tank was introduced into service in 1960. It played a significant role in the Vietnam War and Gulf War.

The M551 Sheridan armored reconnaissance airborne assault vehicle was put into service in 1968. It saw action in the Vietnam War and Gulf War.

In 1979, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Components Laboratory Fuels and Lubricants group was honored with the Industrial Research 100 Award for their work on developing fire-resistant fuels.

The Abrams M1A1 main battle tank, known for its high survivability and advanced weaponry, was introduced in February 1980. It is equipped with a 120mm XM256 Smooth Bore Cannon, machine guns, and various advanced systems.

The Dynamic Analysis and Design System (DADS) software was developed in 1981 at GVSC in collaboration with the University of Iowa, providing advanced 3D multibody dynamics analysis for military vehicles.

The Advanced Integrated Propulsion System (AIPS) was developed in 1983, achieving 10% more sprocket power than the M1 engine in a more compact design.

TARDEC played a key role in the development of central tire inflation systems and run-flat inserts, first fielded on HMMWVs in 1984.

The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Components Laboratory designed and built ROBAT in 1985, a robotic tank for clearing mines and obstacles.

In 1986, replaceable pads were implemented on the M1 tank, extending the track life significantly.

The M1 Abrams tank is considered one of the strongest tanks, demonstrating superior survivability in combat during the Gulf Wars. The U.S. military has continuously upgraded the machine, enhancing its communication, defense, and fuel systems.

The Cold War ended in 1991, raising questions about the relevance of traditional tanks as many nations reduced their tank numbers or shifted to lightweight armored fighting vehicles.

In 1997, Russia unveiled the Russian Chyorny Oryol ('Black Eagle') prototype, based on a lengthened T-80 hull with heavier armor and a modern turret, showcasing advancements in tank design.

Challenger 2 tank was one of the first tanks to incorporate augmented reality in its sighting system, day and night thermal imaging, and an advanced digital fire control system. It featured a 120mm gun capable of firing armor-piercing and high explosive rounds, along with high protection armor. The tank saw action in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq, with only one Challenger 2 lost in combat due to friendly fire.

A modified variant of the Mark IV tank with new engine and transmission systems entered production in December 2017. This variant included both male and female versions, as well as 'hermaphrodite' variants with one male and one female sponson.

The evolution of tanks from their early designs to the modern war machines we know today, focusing on the changes in structure and design over time to enhance effectiveness in warfare.

The article 'Tank' in the Student Encyclopedia provides information about tanks suitable for readers aged 11 and above. It covers the history, development, and significance of tanks in military operations.