The future of the tank ...

Finegold, the actual loss is closer to 50 from what I have heard, however this includes Tanks which were deemed not worthy of repair. 8~10 is the turret popping cases. 1/10 Cav for example lost one to three 155mm shells strapped one over the other.

Edited by Sparten - 21-Sep-2006 at 00:30

I showed that pictures because i wanted to prove that there arent invulnerable tanks.Even the heaviest tanks dont have a chance against anti tank weapons.If old russian AT weapons can destroy Abrams what about newer ones.I cant fell save in any machine.

Russia really lost many tanks in Grozny.I think that 10 T-90 were destroyed.But it is because of the communist style buildings.I live in bulgaria and our cities are just like russians.There are many apartament buildings which are placed very densely.It will be a real nightmare for the tanks when it is in the middle of the road surrounded by building from every side.Tanks can be attacked from the lower basement windows or from the roof where it can't take good aim.

ok found the story and got some pictures

here is what a big IED does to a 22 tonne AA7 (RIP 14 marines) near haditha around a year ago. This thing was flipped by the force of the blast looks impressive in that destructive kinda way. No doubt. that blast would of defeated a tank but this has nothing to do with russian technolgy, armour effectiveness or even conventianal warfare.

Yes,but most of todays battles are in Urban Areas.Especially in Iraq.

Nobody have yet answered my question 

What would a tank designed to fight in an urban environment would look like?

Maybe something like the very first tank the English Mk 1, not heavily armed nor very fast but plenty of guns and protection.

Can you give a line of explanation? Looks very much the same to me.

Originally posted by Maharbbal Can you give a line of explanation? Looks very much the same to me.

Originally posted by Maharbbal Can you give a line of explanation? Looks very much the same to me.

basically you can fire the machine gun ( up top) from the inside, and more armour was added to the sides and back becase the abrams was very well protected only in the front (good for tank battles) but was weak aorund other angles.  there are other minor things but those are the main points

you have to be protected from all sides in urban convabat since no insurgent takes one on from the front.

"The TUSK includes additional protection at the loader's gun station on the turret, the commander's gun station, reactive armor to protect the tank's side from attack by rocket-propelled grenades and slat armor to protect the tank's rear from the same weapon, and the tank/infantry telephone to allow infantry and armor Soldiers to work together in combat.

Flanagan said all the proposed upgrades use "off the shelf" technology, and the goal is for the entire TUSK to be applied by units in the field, without requiring a return to a depot for modification.

"The reactive armor, for example, is a product similar to what's on the Bradley (Armored Fighting Vehicle)," Flanagan said. "It's explosive armor that protects the vehicle."

Another example would be the slat armor designed to protect the tank's rear from RPG attack. It is similar in design and concept to the slat armor used on the Stryker armored vehicles for the same purpose."link


Edited by Leonidas - 23-Sep-2006 at 12:23

   Especially for urban warfare Russians plan to take in their arsenal BMPT-Fighting Vihicle for Tank Support (the conception was introduced in the late 80-s, immediately after the Afghan war, although due to financial difficulties it didn't materialize). It was supposed to clear the short range anti-tank weapons( missiles, RPG's) in urban areas ahead of the BMP's and tanks. The base was the T-72(on current modifications T-90) chassis with additional armor and special armament.
    The BMPT "Ramka-99"(demonstrated in 2000) was armed with 30mm gun(same as BMP2), 7,62mm MG and 2 30mm automatic mortars. In 2002, a new version was introduced armed with 2 30mm gun,single 7,62 MG, 2 30mm automatic mortars and 4 "Ataka-T" anti-tank guided missile launchers. The possibility of simulataneous fire on 4 different targets is the big advantage of the weapons system, the turret is unmanned-the 5 members of the crew are completely in the vihicle's hull. It has battle weight of 48t, and the same engine like T-90 MBT.

BMP-T.
This is not a fighting vehicle.It is a whole god damned mech-warrior.