For many decades there has been an endless debate about which tank is the best in the
world. Countries invest millions of dollars annually in the development of new models
of equipment and the modernization of existing tanks. Modern armored vehicles combine all
the achievements of military technology of the last century and match them to create
powerful combat vehicles. They connect the most advanced weapons, armor, electronics
and crew safety measures. All fans of military equipment are probably interested to know
which models of tanks are ahead of their own kind in terms of their characteristics. This
is what we will try to figure out today! For real fans of tank building, at the end of
our video, we have prepared an overview of the concepts of tanks of the future, which
have already been presented in the USA and Russia! We present to your attention the rating
of the most powerful tanks around the world! K2 «Black Panther» (South Korea)
Our video begins with the K2 “Black Panther”, a prototype of South Korea's main battle tank.
The emphasis in the development of the armored vehicle was placed on the improvement of the
combat information management system and the tank information management system. The main
armament is a 120-mm tank gun with a barrel length of 55 calibers, developed by the South
Korean Agency for Defense Development on the basis of the German Rh-120, manufactured by
Hyundai Wia. To supply ammunition to the barrel, an automatic loader was created, similar to
the French Leclerc tank. The automatic loader allows to fire up to 15 rounds per minute
or every 4 seconds. Ammunition for the gun is 40 rounds. 16 of them are placed in the
mechanized stowage of the automatic loader, another 24 shots - in special stowage in the
vehicle body. It is also planned to install an active protection complex on the tank.
The K2 has a top speed of 43 mph on the highway and 31 mph on rough terrain. Technologically
very complex, the Black Panther tank is currently estimated at $ 8.5 million per unit. Thus,
the K2 is one of the most expensive tanks to date.
Leclerc (France) The Leclerc is a modern French main battle
tank, considered for a long time the most expensive in the world, until the South Korean
prototype “Black Panther” appeared. Leclerc is equipped with an automatic loader for 22
projectiles with a rate of fire of up to 15 rounds per minute, and if necessary, change
the type of projectile - the autoloader will choose the one it needs by simply scrolling
the conveyor. The turret armor is equivalent to 24in armor against APCR shells and 47in
against HEAT shells. The latest modifications of Leclerc were equipped with Athos thermal
imagers capable of detecting an enemy tank at a distance of 16404ft. We must say that
the French made the tank very convenient and easy to operate: for example, to start the
engine, just press one button, the electronics constantly monitors the state of all mechanisms
machines, and in the event of any malfunctions or changes in the combat situation, information
about this is communicated to the crew using a special voice informant with about 600 ready-made
voice messages. Challenger 2 (UK)
Our video continues with the Challenger 2, a modern main battle tank in England. It is
equipped with a 120 mm rifled gun, which gives the Challenger very high accuracy and the
ability to hit targets at long distances. Another advantage of the British main battle
tank is its reservation, the basis of which is the still classified Dorchester armor.
The only thing that is known is that this is a structure made of plates of steel, ceramics
and Kevlar, which dampen the impact of a shell hitting the tank. But the very good armor
of the tank made it heavier (up to 75 tons with all attachments and additional equipment)
and in conjunction with a rather weak engine of 1200hp. made it very slow and clumsy, the
top speed is 35 mph. T-90 (Russia)
The main battle tank of Russia T-90 (“Vladimir”) was considered one of the best in terms of
price-quality ratio, therefore in the first decade of the 21st century it was the best-selling
tank on the world market. But even now it will give odds to many foreign counterparts.
The Kalina fire control system installed on the latest modifications is superior to the
systems used on similar tanks from other countries. The Kalina fire control system allows the
T-90 to hit moving targets of the enemy with a very high probability of hitting the enemy's
moving targets in almost any weather conditions, even when the tank itself is in motion. "Vladimir"
is equipped with an automatic loader for 22 rounds with a rate of fire of up to 9 rounds
per minute, which is also capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles. The tank has the
longest firing range compared to competitors. So, the aimed firing of high-explosive fragmentation
projectiles is possible up to 6 miles, which makes it possible to use the T-90 as an assault
weapon. The design of the tank allows forcing water obstacles up to 16ft deep. It should
also be said that in numerous tests in combat shooting, mobility, and durability, the T-90
occupied a leading position, ahead of such serious tanks as Abrams, Leclerc and Leopard.
Type 10 (Japan) The Type 10 is Japan's newest main battle
tank, incorporating all the latest developments in electronic and computer-based combat systems.
The tank is equipped with an automatic loader, has an effective panoramic view system, and
its automatic continuously variable transmission allows a maximum speed of 43 mph both forward
and backward. In addition, the "Type 10" uses a hydropneumatic suspension, which allows
to change the ground clearance and tilt the tank hull. This contributes to better maneuverability
of the armored vehicle and an increase in the range of vertical guidance angles of its
gun. The ability to reduce ground clearance allows the tank to be placed on the bottom,
thereby reducing its visibility. M1 Abrams (USA)
The M1 "Abrams" has been the US main battle tank for over 40 years. This tank is one of
the few equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. In the
case of the use of nuclear or chemical weapons, this system provides filtered air to the masks
of the crew members, and also prevents radioactive dust and toxic substances from entering the
fighting compartment. The American is also equipped with radiation and chemical reconnaissance
devices. In addition, it should be noted that one of the most modern fire control systems
was installed on the Abrams, and the fact that the tank was not badly protected (although
not, rather the tank crew) is evidenced by the fact that, despite the rather intensive
use of the Abrams, there was no case of complete destruction of the crew (in the same T-90s
this is a very urgent problem, since there the crew is practically not separated from
the ammunition and fuel tanks). Merkava (Israel)
The Merkava is a modern Israeli main battle tank designed and supplied exclusively for
the Israel Defense Forces. The concept of the armored vehicle consists of a front-mounted
engine compartment, which contributes to additional protection for the crew. Another feature of
the Merkava is the presence of a rear compartment for transporting troops or the wounded, adding
versatility and variability to them depending on the combat situation. The turret of the
tank has a wedge-shaped super-ricochet shape and is not badly armored. "Merkava" is considered
the first tank that began to use an active protection complex, which makes it possible
to shoot down anti-tank guided missiles and shells approaching the tank. Nevertheless,
according to experts, the almost 70-ton "Merkava" has 30% less security than the 50-ton Russian
T-90. Leopard (Germany)
The Leopard 2 is a modern German main battle tank used by the armies of more than half
of the European countries. The armored vehicle is equipped with the most advanced fire control
system, which allows it to fire at moving targets while it is moving (including over
uneven terrain). To fire at one of the targets detected by the system, the gunner just needs
to put a marker on it. Overhead armor covers most of the tank's surface and protects it
from mines, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, homemade landmines, anti-tank missiles and
cluster munitions. The Leopard is also equipped with an auxiliary power unit, which allows
all the electronic systems of the tank to function without turning on the main engine,
which significantly reduces its thermal and acoustic signature.
Now let's talk about the projects of the tanks of the future.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has already created a concept for the tank of the future,
which after 2040 should replace the Armata. A characteristic feature of the armored vehicle
will be a two-link structure, which will reduce the pressure on the ground and solve the problem
of weight growth. Ahead will be a compartment designed for three crew members. The tank
will also have a combat module - a turret armed with an electrothermochemical cannon.
In addition, the vehicle will be equipped with a vertical launch system for homing missiles
with a range of 7 miles, a laser blinding installation and an electromagnetic pulse
generator. The second link of the tank will house reconnaissance drones, as well as a
gas turbine installation for three thousand horsepower.
The US is not lagging behind. Recently it became known which armored vehicles will replace
the American main battle tank M1 Abrams. The US Army Ground Transportation Systems Center
at Fort Benning has shared images of the Optionally Manned Tank. According to the concept, the
first vehicle will weigh 54 tons and will receive a 120 mm cannon, 7.62 and 12.7 mm
machine guns as armament. The turret of this variant is similar to the turret of the Israeli
tank "Merkava". The second machine will be larger - 59 tons in weight. The tank can get
a new gun of a larger caliber and a large long turret. The third vehicle will be even
larger - 64 tons. Here the tower is similar in shape to the tower of the French Leclerc.
That's all for today. We hope you enjoyed the video. Which tank did you like the most
and which, in your opinion, is the most suitable for use by the troops? Leave your answers
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