List Of Main Battle Tanks By Generation
Main battle tanks are often classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations is not clearly defined. Soviet and Russian military planners organize tanks into a generation of tanks up to 1945, and four generations of main battle tanks, while Canadian strategists organize main battle tanks into three generations. The military of the People's Republic of China also recognizes three generations of its own tanks.
In 1983 Rolf Hilmes saw three tank generations and three "intermediate generations", which consisted mainly of upgraded vehicles. The first generation of main battle tanks were based on or influenced by designs of the Second World War, most notably the T-34 and the Panther tank. The second generation was equipped with NBC protection (only sometimes), IR night vision devices, a stabilized main gun and at least a mechanical fire control system. The third generation is determined by the usage of thermal imagers, digital fire control systems and special (composite) armour.
Read more about List Of Main Battle Tanks By Generation: First Generation, Second Generation, Third Generation, Under Development
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