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Researched by Josh R. |
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Research Introduction
The first tank ever was a prototype called
the M1. Out of all of the tanks, the best is the U.S.
Abrams. But anti-tank guns can destroy them because they are
meant to destroy tanks. So, tanks are more vulnerable now than
they were when they were first invented. Tanks are
used for hitting ground targets. However they are expensive to
make.
History
The first tank was a prototype called the
M1. The British built the first battle tank in world war one
(WWI), the Sherman tank, named after General Sherman. It was the
main tank in world war two (WWII). Now the best tank is the
Abrams tank, which is named after General Abrams. The Abrams tank
is the best tank because it has a turbine engine. It’s more
powerful, quick, quiet, moves easily, and the technology is the
best. There were two main battle tanks in WWI, the male and the
female. The male had caliber guns and the female had machine
guns. One of the most successful post war tanks was the T-54, it
started production in 1945. In WWII there was a series of
advanced tanks.
How Tanks Are Built
The U.S. Abrams
is the best tank yet. An average tank weighs 72 tons and can go
45 MPH. A normal tank can hold four members. A tank is well
protected; they build tanks with 15 centimeters of metal
armor. Tanks also have thermal jackets, which reduce the
uneven temperatures in the tank.
A tank has very big
guns; it is the most powerful weapon on the battlefield. The tank
has two main parts. One is the hull, it is like the main body,
and it holds the engine and the driver’s compartment. The other
part on a tank is the turret, it is on the hull and has the main gun,
and it can spin a whole 360 degrees! But there is a problem - a
tank needs to be refueled 2-3 times a day with 605 gallons of gasoline
at a time.
Anti-Tank Guns in WWII
Anti-tank guns were
meant to destroy tanks. They fire very high velocity
shells. Prior to WWII anti-tank guns were small, they usually
used anti-tank rifles. Few had calibers larger than 50mm.
Then, tanks became better. They had better armor and better
weapons. But anti-tank guns got better too. They could fire
larger shells, higher velocity, and better caliber. A successful
anti-tank gun was the German 88mm gun. It was used for
anti-aircraft but then changed to an anti-tank gun. At the end of
WWII all sides were using anti-tank guns with a diameter of 90mm and up.
Fire Power
Tanks
are used for hitting ground targets like other tanks or soldiers.
The main weapon for a tank is usually one large gun. Some also
carry smoke-grenade launchers if they don’t want to be seen. A
tank’s main gun is most the important. Usually machine guns are
beside the main gun. This has not been approved yet, but
inventers are trying to make a tank that sends a pulse that doesn’t
blow up other tanks but it stops them and kills their engine.
Money
Tanks
are very expensive to make. The most expensive tank is the
M1A2. It takes $5,000,000 to make. But when the U.S sells
them to another country without the advanced technology, they sell them
for $17,000,000. The most expensive part is the night vision,
which helps soldiers see in the dark up to 5 miles. It cost 10%
of the total tank.
Vulnerability
Tanks are more
vulnerable now than back when they were first invented. Other countries
have made better weapons to destroy them. Also, technology has
improved so much that tanks are tracked more easily. Cannons,
rockets, guided missiles, and roadside bombs can damage tanks.
Some tanks can be harder to hit because they can be camouflaged in
woodland, forest, and desert areas.
Conclusion
So, if
you were in a tank you would want to be in the U.S, Abrams. And
they started production in WWI. Other countries have made better
weapons to destroy them. But, tanks are very expensive because
they have 15 inches of armor. So, I hope you liked it and learned
a lot.
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