assault gun

armored vehicle

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 18, 2026

Quick Summary

An assault gun is a type of armored fighting vehicle that is armed with a large-caliber main gun. These vehicles are distinct from tanks, though they share the characteristic of being armored and equipped for combat. Assault guns, along with tank destroyers, are categorized as specialized armored vehicles designed for direct fire support.1

While the term "assault gun" specifically refers to a type of armored vehicle, the broader category of "armored vehicle" encompasses a wide range of military vehicles fitted with armor plating for protection. This includes tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which can operate on wheels or tracks. An "assault rifle," on the other hand, is a type of firearm, not an armored vehicle.12

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tank destroyer
The tank destroyer resembled the assault gun because both armoured tracked vehicles had large mounted guns, but the assault gun invariably had a limited traverse, was relatively slow moving, and was used primarily to attack fortifications or other targets at close range.
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The tank destroyer resembled the assault gun because both armoured tracked vehicles had large mounted guns, but the assault gun invariably had a limited traverse, was relatively slow moving, and was used primarily to attack fortifications or other targets at close range.
Read More