Medium Tank

US Army Medium Tank, 1952

The Medium Tank is an American armoured fighting vehicle that entered service during the late 1940s. It would see combat in multiple major conflicts, and would be operated by the militaries of various nations and organisations throughout the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, becoming one of the longest serving and prolific combat vehicles.

## Operational history

### World War II

Prior to the United State's entry into the Second World War, Medium Tanks were sent to Europe as part of the Lend-Lease program, to bolster a beleaguered European armoured force reduced to primarily light tanks and APCs. Following the US declaration of war on the Soviet Union, 3 armoured divisions—the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd—would be deployed to the European theatre in the spring of 1952, along with another 7 divisions by the end of the war. In Asia, US armoured forces were comprised of mostly independent tank battalions, with only two armoured divisions being deployed to China late in the conflict—the 9th and the 12th.

### Tiberium War

Medium Tanks constituted the bulk of the Global Defence Initiative's tank battalions during the Tiberium War. They consisted of 4 medium tank companies per battalion, prior to the introduction of the Mammoth Tank into service—after which, D Company would become the super heavy tank company.

Attached to Global Defence Task Unit "Talon", a platoon of Medium Tanks from the 1st Tank Battalion would see some of the most intense fighting of the war, culminating in the assault on the Sarajevo Temple on the 3rd of August 2000, where the platoon would be joined by other members of its parent battalion.

## Variants

### Main variants

*IP*

The initial production variant was armed with a 105mm cannon firing primarily Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds. It featured a multifuel engine, advanced composite armour, a computer fire control system, and a separate ammunition storage with blow-out panels. Production would begin in 1948 and the first tanks would equip US Army units in 1949.

*A1*

The first upgrade variant featured the more powerful 120mm cannon firing primarily Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds, improved turret armour, a pressurised NBC system, new blow-out panels, and extra stowage. The A1 was also compatible with rocket-assisted shells when mounted with a millimetre-wave radar guidance pod on the turret. Production would begin in 1952, and the first A1s would enter service that same year.

*A2*

The A2 variant further improved on the A1, featuring a commander's independent thermal viewer, a new fire control system, positional navigation equipment, digital control and display management, and a heavier armour package. Although it would enter production in 1958, a number of A2 prototypes would see action during the final months of World War II.

### GDI variants

*UN*

The UN variant was a modified IP that incorporated some of the improvements from the A1, such as the pressurised NBC system, newer blast panels, and rear stowage. It was designed as a low cost option to expedite GDI's armoured capability in the years leading up to their formal establishment in 1995, with an improved IP being deemed adequate for the lightly armed militias and terrorist organisations the global defence force was predicted to face at the time. The procurement and overhaul of surplus tanks from the United States began in 1993, and the 1st Tank Battalion would take delivery of their UN variants that same year.

*UN2*

Developed following the end of the Tiberium War, the UN2 was designed to overcome the deficiencies of the UN variant during that conflict, particularly in its situational awareness and urban fighting capabilities. Based on the A2 variant, the new tank features advanced light weight composite armour, a remote weapon station, digital maps, improved sights and sensors, real-time battlefield tracking capability, and a millimetre-wave radar guidance pod. It would begin equipping GDI tank battalions in 2004.