Battle tank

A battle tank (or skirmisher tank) is a subset of tank that fills the heavy direct-fire fast attack role of many modern armies.

## Overview

Tanks gradually evolved into the concept of the skirmisher tank. This transition happened as it was realized that portable anti tank weaponry that could penetrate any practical level of armor at long range was being adopted by major battlefield factions. The concept of heavy tanks, armed with the most powerful guns and heaviest armor, became obsolete since they were just as vulnerable as other vehicles to the new, faster tanks. Likewise, combat data shows that lightly-armed, lightly-armored tanks were of little value in most roles. Even reconnaissance vehicles had shown a trend towards heavier weight and greater firepower; speed was not a substitute for armor and firepower. This led to the development of the battle tank, and later the fighter tank types.

## Battlefield role

The battle tank took on the role of 'Universal tank', filling almost all battlefield roles. Typical battle tanks were as well armed as any other vehicle on the battlefield, highly mobile, and well armored. Yet they were cheap enough to be built in large numbers.

### Fighter tank

The battle tank supplements the fighter tank in expeditionary roles and situations where major threats are present and excess weight in armor and armament is necessary.

### Bullet Sponge

The battle tank is, after the assault tank, the most commonly used tank to accompany infantry units on the field.

## Loadout

A classical loadout of a battle tank concerns its armor, weapons and mobility technologies.

### Armor

Originally, most battle tanks relied on traditional heavy armor to defend against various threats. As newer threats emerged, however, the defensive systems used by battle tanks had to evolve to counter them. One of the first new developments was the use of repulsor reactive armor to defend against the warheads of anti-tank missiles and other explosive projectiles.

The benefit of repulsor reactive armor was that it could be added to existing vehicles to increase their survivability, though the detonation of repulsor blocks created a hazard to supporting infantry near the tank.

### Weapons

Battle tanks are equipped with a main tank gun, and at least one machine gun.

#### Main gun

Battle tank main guns can fire both anti personnel rounds such as high explosive or high explosive fragmentation as well as dedicated anti armor rounds. The cannon serves a dual role, able to engage other armored targets such as tanks and fortifications, and soft targets such as light vehicles and infantry. Battle tanks utilize a fire-control system, which utilizes rangefinders, computerized fire control, and stabilizers designed to keep the cannon stable and aimed even if the hull is turning or shaking, making it easier for the operators to fire on the move and against moving targets.

A battle tank carries 50 rounds of ammunition for its main gun. Battle tanks also carry smoke rounds. Battle tanks are equipped with an auto-loader, for this reason, the crew is reduced to 3 members.

#### Secondary guns

The battle tank's secondary weapons, usually one to four machine guns are used to engage infantry and light vehicles. Many battle tanks mount one heavy caliber machine gun, usually used against helicopters and low flying aircraft. The tank's secondary guns are usually equipped with between 500 and 3000 rounds each.

### Mobility

The extreme weight of vehicles of this type (60-70 tons) limits their speed, independently of their mobility being by tread, mechanical legs or repulsorlift. They are usually equipped with a heavy torque engine with an operational range near 500 km.

### Crew

A battle tanks crew is composed of at minimum a pilot, a gunner and a commander.