In the age-old pursuit for weaponry and better delivery systems; mankind has pushed the limits of our understanding of scientific research. Most major advances in technology, come from military experimentation; striving for more devastating methods of dispatching enemy combatants, while protecting the soldiers, in the weapon platform. One of the most versatile combat vehicles, the tank; has demonstrated many times throughout recent history, how influential it can be on the battlefield!
The name, "Tank", comes from the initial deployment, by the British army in WWI; in the Battle of Somme. In an attempt to disguise their true identity as weapon delivery systems, the military labelled them as "water carriers" during transport by train to the front-line (covered by canvasses) and referred to as "tanks" (as in "water tank").
The term, is still used by militaries, world-wide.
Over the years, major advances in technology, have allowed for faster, harder-hitting, combat vehicles; designed for front-line combat, providing excellent defence, while brandishing immense fire-power with one main, heavy caliber gun, and secondary, machine guns. Many newer models of such combat vehicles, boast an independent ventilation system, which can purify the ambient air; in order to remove toxic agents, radioactive dust, biological aerosols, and removes firing powder gases from the crew compartment!
Other technological advances include a laser rangefinder, GPS, firing control systems, and battlefield networks; a satellite network, that can display all known information on enemy and friendly units. This satellite data, can be transmitted to other nearby tanks, planes, and even UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).
While the versatility of the combat vehicle are indisputable; the biggest problem with combat vehicles, were their size, noise, and lack of camouflage! While it is possible to conceal a tank in many battlefield terrains, using natural cover; there are also as many instances, where the weapon system, is vulnerable. While on the move, it is easy to spot the large vehicles. The military spends enormous amounts of money to develop camouflage, that make it harder to detect in a variety of terrains.
In that manner; the arms-race of tank warfare has come full circle; as British military scientists have announced they are developing "invisible tanks" that will be battlefield ready, within five years! These armoured vehicles, will use "e-camouflage" that project images on the vehicle's hull, and change to match their environment!
Remember the blockbuster hit, "Predator", starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? The fictional predator, used the same type of technology, to mask his presence in combat. Electronic sensors attached the tank's outer hull, would project images of the surrounding environment back on the outside of the vehicle, allowing it blend into the landscape!
A combat vehicle in stealth mode; would be capable of concealment in places never considered! Without the necessary task of physically draping the vehicle in natural or artificial material to help blend into the battlefield, crewmembers could remain within the safety of the tank. This is an extreme advantage on today's battlefield, where nerve agents, biologic weaponry, and other aerosols, can obliterate an entire tank crew; not to mention, being exposed to conventional weaponry.
This active camouflage system is being engineered to mask a tank and its crew against orbital satellites! That includes, heat shielding from hot tank components, such as the engine, and exhaust system.
On the move, at well over a 100 Kph; you could tell, that one of Britain's new tanks were coming at you, due to a bit of noise, the dust disturbed by the tracks of the tank, and the ground vibrating as the massive vehicle of war approached. You could barely make out the moving machine with your naked eye; and your spy satellites, would indicate no enemy combatant on the battlefield!
At a full rest; you wouldn't even know it's there!
Until it fired...........
