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| − | '''Main Battle Tanks''' or '''Modern Armor''' are the development of earlier [[tank]]s. While tanks were relatively slow MBTs are often capable of road speeds in excess of 40mph. The earlier [[diesel]] or multifuel powerpacks have often been deleted in favour of more compact [[gas turbine]] engines.
| + | #REDIRECT [[Main Battle Tank]] |
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| − | MBTs have also replaced the earlier monobloc [[steel]] armor with composite protection. Traditional [[RHA|rolled homogenous armor]] is combined with air gaps and materials made from [[synthetic fibres]] to form an armor sandwich often referred to as [[Chobham]]. The use of such [[composites]] arises from the huge advances in non-metallic materials science, particularly [[plastics]] and [[recycling]]. Chobham armor is significantly more effective than RHA of the same weight.
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| − | The traditional large calibre gun remains the main armament, but is now an extremely high velocity weapon optimized for the anti-vehicle role. Anti-tank ammunition is by fin-stabilized [[sabot]] rounds of [[tungsten]] or [[depleted uranium]]. [[Shaped charge]] rounds are general carried for use against lighter vehicles and are moderately effective against [[fortification]]s and buildings. Some MBTs enhance their long-range anti-tank firepower by launching [[ATGM]]s from their main gun. Fire control is extremely sophisticated, and MBTs can fire accurately while moving and achieve first-shot kills. This feat would have been impossible with traditional tanks, which could only fire effectively while stationery.
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| − | MBTs have now reached the maximum practical weight limit for a combat vehicle, and engineers are looking for lightweight methods of improving protection. [[Explosive reactive armor]] provides greater protection against [[shaped charges]] while the [[Russia]]ns have developed an active armor system which uses [[radar]] to detect incoming projectiles and launch an interceptor. Research into exotic armors such as all-plastic and electrical armor is also ongoing.
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| − | [[category:military]]
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