The tank has been a powerful weapon in the arsenal of military forces since its creation in World War I. Its effectiveness on the battlefield comes from three main factors – firepower, protection and mobility. With advances in technology, tanks have become more sophisticated and expensive to produce, but designing them is still a balancing act between these three criteria. Firepower is the ability of a tank to detect, engage and destroy enemy targets. Protection determines how difficult it is to detect and disable a tank while mobility deals with its range on the battlefield as well as its ability to be transported by road, rail, sea or air.
No matter what design is used for modern day tanks, affordability takes precedence over performance characteristics due to economics and the logistical constraints for armed forces. Increasing protection through armor will lead to higher weight and reduced mobility while installing larger guns will require sacrifices in speed or armor weight. Even advanced designs such as the Abrams MBT have their drawbacks which come in the form of larger engines that limit their range.
For those who want to learn more about this complex balance between power, protection and mobility, there are documentaries like “Tank Wrecks” which go into greater detail about these topics. The documentary shows viewers how different types of tanks perform on various terrains with different weapons systems while discussing some of the history behind these formidable machines. From the creation of tanks during WWI up until modern day designs, “Tank Wrecks” provides an interesting look at how warfare has evolved over time. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about one of the most important tools used in conflict today!
