Army Vehicles: Types, Features, and Uses
Army vehicles are any vehicles that are used by the military for land-based operations and activities. They include combat vehicles, such as tanks and armored fighting vehicles, as well as support vehicles, such as transporters and engineering vehicles. Army vehicles are essential for the military to perform its missions, whether it is to fight wars, maintain peace, or provide humanitarian assistance. In this article, we will explore some of the most common types of army vehicles, their features, and their uses.
army vehicles
Main Battle Tanks
Main battle tanks are heavily armored vehicles that are designed to engage and destroy enemy armored forces. They have a large-caliber main gun, usually mounted on a rotating turret, as well as secondary weapons, such as machine guns and anti-tank missiles. They also have advanced systems, such as fire control, communication, and navigation. Main battle tanks are usually the main component of armored units and formations. Some of the main battle tanks used by the US Army are:
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is the most widely used tank in the US Army. It was first introduced in the early 1980s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 120 mm smoothbore gun, a 1500 horsepower gas turbine engine, and composite armor. It can reach speeds of up to 42 mph (68 km/h) on roads and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The M1 Abrams has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
M60 Patton
The M60 Patton is a Cold War-era tank that was first introduced in the late 1950s. It has a 105 mm rifled gun, a 750 horsepower diesel engine, and steel armor. It can reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h) on roads and 15 mph (24 km/h) off-road. It was widely used by the US Army and its allies during the Cold War and beyond. It participated in several wars, such as the Vietnam War, the Iran-Iraq War, and the Gulf War. Although it has been largely replaced by the M1 Abrams in the US Army, it is still in service with some countries around the world.
M48 Patton
The M48 Patton is a legacy tank that was first introduced in the early 1950s. It has a 90 mm gun, a 500 horsepower gasoline engine, and steel armor. It can reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h) on roads and 15 mph (24 km/h) off-road. It was the main tank of the US Army and its allies during the Vietnam War and other conflicts. It was also used by some countries in the Middle East and Asia. It has been phased out by the US Army and most of its allies, but it is still in use by some countries, such as Taiwan and Pakistan.
M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank
M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicle
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)
M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicle
M9 Armored Combat Earthmover
M160 Remote Controlled Mine Clearance System
All Terrain Vehicle
Lightweight Tactical All Terrain Vehicle (LTATV)
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection System
Buffalo Mine Protected Route Clearance Vehicle
Cougar 4x4 MRAP
M-ATV
Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck
Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)
Cougar 6x6 MRAP
M1 Assault Breacher Vehicle
M4 Command and Control Vehicle (C2V)
M104 Wolverine
RG-31
RG-33
International MaxxPro
BAE Caiman
Oshkosh M-ATV
General Dynamics Flyer
M1117 Armored Security Vehicle
LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle
Assault Amphibious Vehicle
LARC-V Amphibious Resupply Cargo
Bison Armoured Personnel Carrier
Pandur I Armoured Fighting Vehicle
M93 Fox NBCRV
M997A3 Ambulance
M1097A2 Unarmored Cargo/Troop/Air-defense Carrier
M1114 Up-Armored Armament Carrier
M1151 A1 Up-Armored Armament Carrier
M1165A1 Up-Armored Command and Control Carrier
M1167A1 Up-Armored TOW Carrier
Ground Mobility Vehicle
M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
M58 Wolf Smoke Generator Carrier
M113 Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle
M548A3 Cargo Carrier
M577A3 Medical Vehicle
M901A3 Improved TOW Vehicle
M1059A3 Lynx Smoke Generator Carrier
M1064A3 Mortar Carrier
M1068A3 Standard Integrated Command Post System Carrier
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Infantry fighting vehicles are armored vehicles that are designed to transport and support infantry. They have a smaller-caliber main gun, usually mounted on a turret, as well as machine guns and anti-tank missiles. They also have a troop compartment that can accommodate several soldiers. Infantry fighting vehicles are usually used to accompany tanks and provide fire support for infantry. They can also engage enemy infantry and light armored vehicles. Some of the infantry fighting vehicles used by the US Army are:
M2/M3 Bradley
The M2/M3 Bradley is a versatile vehicle that can transport and support infantry. It was first introduced in the early 1980s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 25 mm chain gun, a TOW anti-tank missile launcher, and a 600 horsepower diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 41 mph (66 km/h) on roads and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The M2 Bradley can carry six infantrymen, while the M3 Bradley can carry four scouts. The Bradley has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
LAV-25
The LAV-25 is a light armored vehicle used by the US Marine Corps. It was first introduced in the mid-1980s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 25 mm chain gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and a 275 horsepower diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) on roads and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road. It can also operate on water, with a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h). The LAV-25 can carry four crew members and six passengers. The LAV-25 has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
Stryker
The Stryker is a wheeled vehicle that can be configured for different roles. It was first introduced in the early 2000s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a remote weapon station that can mount a 12.7 mm machine gun, a 40 mm grenade launcher, or an anti-tank missile launcher. It also has a 350 horsepower diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h) on roads and 30 mph (48 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The Stryker can carry two crew members and nine passengers. The Stryker has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
Armored Personnel Carriers
Armored personnel carriers are armored vehicles that are designed to carry troops and supplies. They have a small-caliber machine gun or a grenade launcher for self-defense, but they are not intended for direct combat. They also have a large cargo space that can accommodate several soldiers or equipment. Armored personnel carriers are usually used to transport troops behind the front lines or to deliver supplies to forward positions. They can also be used for medical evacuation or engineering tasks. Some of the armored personnel carriers used by the US Army are:
M113
The M113 is a tracked vehicle that can carry troops and supplies. It was first introduced in the early 1960s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher, and a 275 horsepower diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 42 mph (68 km/h) on roads and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road. It can also operate on water, with a speed of up to 3 mph (5 km/h). The M113 can carry two crew members and eleven passengers or up to five tons of cargo. The M113 has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War.
M1126 Stryker
The M1126 Stryker is a variant of the Stryker that can transport infantry. It has the same features as the Stryker infantry fighting vehicle, except that it does not have a turret-mounted main gun. Instead, it has a remote weapon station that can mount a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher. It can also carry two crew members and nine passengers or up to three tons of cargo. The M1126 Stryker is used by the US Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, which are designed to be rapidly deployable and adaptable to various situations.
Assault Amphibious Vehicle
The Assault Amphibious Vehicle is a vehicle that can operate on land and water. It is used by the US Marine Corps to transport troops from ships to shore and to provide fire support during amphibious assaults. It was first introduced in the early 1970s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 40 mm grenade launcher, and a 400 horsepower diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 45 mph (72 km/h) on roads and 8 mph (13 km/h) on water. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The Assault Amphibious Vehicle can carry three crew members and 21 passengers or up to four tons of cargo.
Mine-Protected Vehicles
Mine-protected vehicles are vehicles that are designed to withstand blasts from mines and improvised explosive devices. They have a reinforced structure, usually with a V-shaped hull or a double hull, to deflect explosions and protect the occupants. They also have enhanced suspension, tires, and armor. Mine-protected vehicles are usually used for patrol, convoy escort, or route clearance missions. They can also be used for medical evacuation or engineering tasks. Some of the mine-protected vehicles used by the US Army are:
RG-31
The RG-31 is a vehicle that was originally developed in South Africa and is now manufactured in Canada. It has a V-shaped hull, a 275 horsepower diesel engine, and run-flat tires. It can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) on roads and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The RG-31 can carry four crew members and six passengers or up to three tons of cargo. The RG-31 is used by the US Army for route clearance and explosive ordnance disposal missions.
Cougar
The Cougar is a vehicle that was originally developed in the US and is now manufactured in several countries. It has a V-shaped hull, a 330 horsepower diesel engine, and run-flat tires. It can reach speeds of up to 65 mph (105 km/h) on roads and 35 mph (56 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The Cougar can carry four crew members and six passengers or up to four tons of cargo. The Cougar is used by the US Army for patrol, convoy escort, and medical evacuation missions.
Oshkosh M-ATV
The Oshkosh M-ATV is a vehicle that was developed in the US specifically for the War in Afghanistan. It has a V-shaped hull, a 370 horsepower diesel engine, and an independent suspension system. It can reach speeds of up to 65 mph (105 km/h) on roads and 40 mph (64 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and mountainous terrain. The Oshkosh M-ATV can carry four crew members and one passenger or up to two tons of cargo. The Oshkosh M-ATV is used by the US Army for patrol, convoy escort, and special operations missions.
Light Armored Vehicles
Light armored vehicles are vehicles that are designed to provide mobility and protection for light forces. They have a light-caliber machine gun or a grenade launcher for self-defense, but they are not intended for direct combat. They also have a high speed and maneuverability on various terrains. Light armored vehicles are usually used for reconnaissance, surveillance, or command and control missions. They can also be used for patrol or security missions. Some of the light armored vehicles used by the US Army are:
Humvee
The Humvee is a ubiquitous vehicle that can perform various functions. It was first introduced in the early 1980s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 6.5 liter diesel engine or a 6.2 liter gasoline engine, depending on the model and a four-wheel drive system. It can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/h) on roads and 40 mph (64 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The Humvee can carry four crew members and up to 2,500 pounds (1,134 kg) of cargo. The Humvee can be equipped with different weapons, such as machine guns, grenade launchers, or anti-tank missiles. The Humvee has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
M1117 Armored Security Vehicle
The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle is a vehicle used for patrol and security missions. It was first introduced in the late 1990s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7 mm machine gun, mounted on a turret. It also has a 260 horsepower diesel engine and a four-wheel drive system. It can reach speeds of up to 63 mph (101 km/h) on roads and 35 mph (56 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and cold weather. The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle can carry four crew members and two passengers or up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg) of cargo. The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle is used by the US Army's Military Police Corps and other units.
Ground Mobility Vehicle
The Ground Mobility Vehicle is a vehicle used for special operations forces. It was first introduced in the early 2000s and has been upgraded several times since then. It has a 6.5 liter diesel engine and a four-wheel drive system. It can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (129 km/h) on roads and 60 mph (97 km/h) off-road. It can also operate in various environments, such as desert, urban, and mountainous terrain. The Ground Mobility Vehicle can carry four crew members and up to 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg) of cargo. The Ground Mobility Vehicle can be equipped with different weapons, such as machine guns, grenade launchers, or anti-tank missiles. The Ground Mobility Vehicle is used by the US Army's Special Forces and other units.
Conclusion
Army vehicles are an integral part of the military's capabilities and operations. They provide mobility, protection, firepower, and support for the troops on the ground. They also enable the military to perform its missions in various scenarios and environments. Army vehicles are constantly evolving and improving to meet the challenges and threats of the modern battlefield.
If you are interested in learning more about army vehicles or want to see them in action, you can visit some of the websites or videos below:
[Army Vehicles - Official Website of the US Army]
[Top 10 Army Vehicles - YouTube Video]
[How Army Vehicles Work - HowStuffWorks]
Do you have any questions or comments about army vehicles? Feel free to share them with us in the comment section below.
FAQs
What is the difference between a tank and an armored fighting vehicle?
A tank is a type of armored fighting vehicle that is designed to engage and destroy enemy armored forces. An armored fighting vehicle is a broader term that includes any vehicle that has armor protection and can support or transport infantry.
What is the most expensive army vehicle?
The most expensive army vehicle is probably the M1 Abrams tank, which costs about $9 million per unit.
What is the fastest army vehicle?
The fastest army vehicle is probably the Ground Mobility Vehicle, which can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (129 km/h) on roads.
What is the most common army vehicle?
The most common army vehicle is probably the Humvee, which can perform various functions and roles.
What is the newest army vehicle?
The newest army vehicle is probably the Oshkosh M-ATV, which was developed specifically for the War in Afghanistan.
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