The U.S. Army Will Pit Two Light Tank Designs Against One Another

Popular Mechanics ^ | December 18, 2018 | Kyle Mizokami

[C19fan]

A modern day version of the Sturmgeschütz serving the infantry support role. Several countries use wheeled version of this class of vehicle; the Italian Centauro and the Japanese Type 16.

[rjsimmon]

Here's a start:

[DarthVader]

These are not light tanks. They are Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

[Psalm 73]

Hmmm, mounting a 120 mm on an under-30-ton chassis? What could go wrong?

[rjsimmon]

A modern day version of the Sturmgeschütz...

The Sturm didn't have a turret, so it was more of an assault gun.

[rjsimmon]

Hmmm, mounting a 120 mm on an under-30-ton chassis? What could go wrong?

They did it with the Stryker AFV.

[donozark]

Regardless of selection, both variants will be magnets for ATGMs.

[Roobarb321]

From the title, I was hoping this was going to be competition in mechwarrior style. Let’s really have a battle of the tanks!

[Yo-Yo]

Here's a start:

It's a light tank program. That's not where it will start, that's where it will end up...

[Stosh]

Is “BattleBots” still on cable?

[rjsimmon]

It's a light tank program. That's not where it will start, that's where it will end up...

Here's my input to the program:

[mad_as_he$$]

Science Channel.

[Yo-Yo]

[Psalm 73]

"They did it with the Stryker AFV."

With unkind recoil effects, from what I heard.
But that's a good point, why not just use the Strykers as a light tank? We've got a ton of 'em, and no tracks to throw.

Now let's fix the Navy's Frigate problem....

[FreedomPoster]

I can see you understand military procurement/development . . .

[wally_bert]

Armored coffin.

[FreedomPoster]

Free Republic Treadhead Ping

[FreedomPoster]

And unguided. Modern RPGs are pretty lethal.

[Rockingham]

A modern light tank design by the US might be wheeled, have advanced sensors and displays for unparalleled situational awareness, with rocket and laser defense systems, modular weapons packages that permit customization according to mission requirements, be capable of autonomous operation, and have a diesel-electric hybrid drive with enough battery capacity for miles of near silent operation. Budget stringencies will limit what can be done in the first iteration, but look for such advances to eventually appear in the US armored vehicle inventory.

[BenLurkin]