armoured fighting vehicle
Quick Summary
An armored fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle equipped with armor plating for protection against projectiles. These vehicles can operate on wheels or continuous tracks. The primary AFV is the tank, but other types, such as tank destroyers and assault guns, are armed with large-caliber main guns.1
Armored personnel carriers (APCs) are tracked vehicles designed to transport infantry into battle. They first appeared in significant numbers during World War II, with the German army utilizing them to move infantry in their panzer divisions. Post-war, APCs were improved to better accompany tanks.1
Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) are a more advanced type of armored carrier from which infantry can effectively fight. Modern IFVs, like the German Marder and Soviet BMP-1, allow mounted infantry to engage armored opponents. Wheeled armored vehicles are also developed for various roles, offering advantages in on-road performance and lower maintenance costs, making them suitable for peacekeeping and counterinsurgency operations.1
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armoured vehicleThe tank is the principal fighting armoured vehicle. Other types armed with large-calibre main guns include tank destroyers and assault guns. This article traces the development of armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and other armoured vehicles designed primarily as platforms for assault troops.
Read MoreThe tank is the principal fighting armoured vehicle. Other types armed with large-calibre main guns include tank destroyers and assault guns. This article traces the development of armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and other armoured vehicles designed primarily as platforms for assault troops.
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tankEarliest developments…basic elements of the modern armoured fighting vehicle, it remained only to adopt tracks as an alternative to wheels. This became inevitable with the appearance of the tracked agricultural tractor, but there was no incentive for this until after the outbreak of World War I. A tracked armoured vehicle was…
Read More…basic elements of the modern armoured fighting vehicle, it remained only to adopt tracks as an alternative to wheels. This became inevitable with the appearance of the tracked agricultural tractor, but there was no incentive for this until after the outbreak of World War I. A tracked armoured vehicle was…
Read More- tankEarliest developments
…of the 20th century that armoured fighting vehicles began to take practical form. By then the basis for them had become available with the appearance of the traction engine and the automobile. Thus, the first self-propelled armoured vehicle was built in 1900 in England when John Fowler & Company armoured…
Read More…of the 20th century that armoured fighting vehicles began to take practical form. By then the basis for them had become available with the appearance of the traction engine and the automobile. Thus, the first self-propelled armoured vehicle was built in 1900 in England when John Fowler & Company armoured…
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tacticsContinued growth of military technology…gave way in turn to armoured fighting vehicles, from which troops could fight without dismounting and some of which were almost as heavy and expensive as tanks. In the rear services, horse-drawn vehicles, which in both the Soviet and German armies had still been in the majority until 1945, disappeared…
Read More…gave way in turn to armoured fighting vehicles, from which troops could fight without dismounting and some of which were almost as heavy and expensive as tanks. In the rear services, horse-drawn vehicles, which in both the Soviet and German armies had still been in the majority until 1945, disappeared…
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