Tank Warfare by Loyd Rafols

In a typical environment, tanks are never alone in most cases. Tanks can usually be seen in a platoon, mainly consisting of a commanding officer (CO) and three four subordinates. These platoon work for mutual support. For example, the CO and another tank might advance while two others maintain an overview of the surroundings and protect the advancing allies against threats. Multiple platoons of these forces work closely with mechanized infantry. A mechanized infantry platoon may consist of a dozen or more soldiers, along with [in the USAs case] a few Stryker 2 APC vehicles, or M2 Bradley IFVs.

Active USA Offensive Land Vehicles

M1A1 Abrams Designation: Heavy Tank/Main Battle Tank Number deployed: 6 343. Crew: 4. Commander, Gunner, Loader and Driver. Armour Resistance Hull + Turret: 600 mm against APFSDS (also known as a KE weapon; AP; sabot), 700 mm against HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) Main Weapon: 120 mm M256 L44 smoothbore cannon; tank able to carry 42 rounds. Secondary Weapon(s): 2 x 7.62 mm M240 LMG containing 8 800 rounds (1 co-ax, 1 pintle) Operation Range: 426 km/265 mi. Speed: 56 km/h or 35 mph. Off-road: 40 km/h or 25 mph. M2 Bradley IFV Designation: Infantry Fighting Vehicle Number deployed: 6 724. Crew: 3. Able to carry up to 7 people (M2A3) as passengers. Armour Resistance: Spaced laminate armour provides 30 mm protection against RPGs and up to 30 mm-pen APDS rounds. Main weapon: 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, tank able to hold 900 rounds. Also carries 7 TOW AT missiles. Secondary weapon(s): 7.62 mm M240 MG, 2 200 rounds. Operational Range: 483km/300 mi. Speed: 66 km/h or 41 mph. Stryker Designation: Armoured Personnel Carrier. Number deployed: 2 988. Crew: Unknown, typically two. Able to carry an unknown amount, speculated to be around 6 passengers. Armour Resistance: 14.5 mm. Main weapon: M2 .50 caliber MG/ MK19 40mm grenade launcher mounted on a M151 Protector. Secondary weapon(s): M240 7.62 mm MG. Operational range: 500 km/310 mi Speed: 100 km/h or 62 mph.

LAV-25 Designation: Armoured Personnel Carrier. Number deployed: Approximately 1 500. Crew: 3, can carry an extra 6. Main weapon: 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun. Secondary weapon(s): Two FN MAG 7.62 MG, 1 co-ax, 1 pintle. Operational range: 660 km/410 mi Speed: 100 km/h or 62 mph. M113 Designation: Armoured Personnel Carrier. Number deployed: 6 000 Crew: 2. Can carry up 11 passengers. Armour Resistance: 12-38 mm aluminum Main weapon: M2 Browning MG Secondary weapon(s): Depends on variant. Operation range: Approximately 480 km/300 mi. Speed: 68 km/h or 42 mph. Able to swim at 5.8 km/h or 3.6 mph. AAVP7A1 RAM/RS Designation: Amphibious Armoured Personnel Carrier. Number deployed: 1 311 Crew: 3. Can carry up to 25 passengers. Armour resistance: 45 mm Main weapon: Mark 19 Auto-Grenade Launcher or M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun. Secondary weapon: M2HB .50 cal MG. Operational range: 480 km or 300 mi Speed: 72 km/h or 45 mph on land, 13.2 km/h or 8.2 mph on water. Humvee Designation: Light Armoured Vehicle Number deployed: Approximately 260 000, most likely increasing. Crew: Typically 2 (Driver and Gunner, if main weapon mounted) Main weapon: M134 Minigun/Mk 19 Grenade Launcher/M2 Heavy MG/M249 LMG/M240 LMG/Unarmed Secondary weapon(s): TOW AT missiles Operational range: Unknown Speed: 89 km/h or 55 mph at max weight, or 105 km/h or 65 mph top speed. Typically, a tanks armour composition is not uniform; more armour is seen at the front than the sides or rear. In an engagement, normal practice is to point the frontal armour directly at the enemy (Tankers can also slope the armour slightly for increased resistance against shells), and to back up, as opposed to turning around and exposing the fragile rear armour.

Going hull-down is an effective tactic to provide combat effectiveness, as well as increasing survivability. Hull-down can be achieved by exposing the least amount of hull armour, and exposing enough of the turret so that the tank is still combat effective. Along with this, the commander is also still capable of spotting enemy forces.

Modern tactics/manoeuvres used by the US Army

Bounding Overwatch Bounding overwatch, leapfrogging or just simply referred to as bounding is one of three tactics that can be used to move an armour formation across a potentially hostile area (from point A to B) This tactic involves a squad splitting up into two separate fireteams. One will dash across the danger zone, while the other fireteam will overwatch the situation and suppress the enemy. The first fireteam will do the same, covering the second element from enemy fire. Action Right/Left This maneuver involves all tanks in a team to turn right or left and attack all enemies in that direction. Contact Right/Left This action involves the CO directing his/her team to continue along their path, but to fire in a respective direction. Low Sky See hull-down. Column Formation The most basic tank formation, this formation involves the CO and his/her wingman leading, followed by the other tanks. This formation is used for maximum speed, while enemy resistance is not expected. Wedge Formation This formation is most commonly used when leading a force, or overwatch is provided. This wedge formation is formed like a ^ with the CO and his/her leading the top two spots, and the rest of the tanks spread out diagonally. Echelon Formation This formation involves the tanks with the most firepower and armour on the outside, while the lesser armoured tanks stay on the inside. For example, three M1A1 Abrams MBTs will form a small wedge formation, while the weaker LAV-25 IFVs stay on the inside, protected against most threats that the M1A1 Abrams can handle. Vee Formation This formation provides excellent protection and control, but limits fire capabilities. This tactic can be seen on migrating birds, with one bird leading. See Wedge Formation. Line Formation

This formation provides maximum firepower and sheer force to the front. It typically comprises of a horizontal line of tanks. This can typically be seen in desert warfare. Tank Combat in Urban/Heavily Dense Areas Tanks are heavily disadvantaged in combat in urban areas, due to their sheer size, clumsiness, and the capability of being easily ambushed by enemy infantry. Tanks are also susceptible to mines, obstacles and booby traps. With this in mind, a combined force of infantry and vehicles is ideal. Tanks should not be left alone, as they cannot provide their own local security. Infantry usually leads through this type of environment, while the tanks provide overwatch and engage larger targets which the infantry cannot effectively destroy. Hull-down positions are also very effective for tank-on-tank combat in urban areas. Tanks can also carry supplies for the infantry, as well as provide transportation. Tank Combat in Forests/Jungles Tanks are extremely ineffective here, due to the massive amount of vegetation that can slow down a tank, possibly even stop it completely. Again, tanks should be combined with an infantry unit; see Tank Combat in Urban/Heavily Dense Areas. Tank Combat in Deserts This is the ideal situation for tanks. However, environmental damage is often more severe here. A tank can effectively spot, and fire at enemy forces from great distances, as well as using sand dunes to go hull-down. Tank often have a wide field of view in this area as well. Due to large open planes, aircraft forces should be employed to provide support.