Tank

Tank, combat vehicle, armed with guns or missiles, and self-propelled on caterpillar treads; the chief modern conventional ground assault weapon. Tanks were first built in 1915 by Britain and used from 1916 against Germany in World War I. These early tanks were very slow, and development between the wars greatly improved speed and firepower. The Spanish Civil War and World War II showed the effectiveness of concentrated tank attacks. Amphibious and airborne tanks were developed. Heavy tanks proved cumbersome and were generally abandoned in favor of the more maneuver-able (though more vulnerable) light and medium tanks. Improved models are now used where heavy guns are needed. Light tanks (less than 25 tons/23 metric tons) are used mainly for infantry support.

See also: Army.