China’s Type 69 main battle tank is based on the Type 59 main battle tank, which is itself based on the Soviet Union’s T-54. The Type 69 main battle tank has been exported to other countries in Asia and Africa. It was used during the 1990/1991 and 2003 Gulf Wars. Although development of the type 69 …
Author Archives: M Malory
Type 62 Light Tank
China’s Type 62 light tank was based on the Type 59 main battle tank. The Type 62 light tank was designed to be lighter than the Type 59 MBT, so that the Type 62 would be easier to operate in the rugged terrain that exists in southern China. NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) began developing …
Stridsvagn 103 Main Battle Tank
Sweden’s Stridsvagn 103 main battle tank, also known as the S-tank, is a turretless tank. It is more of a defensive than an offensive weapon, and it was designed to help Sweden maintain its neutrality after World War II by defending against invasion. Bofors began developing the Stridsvagn 103 MBT in 1958. The first two …
AMX-30 Main Battle Tank
The AMX-30 main battle tank entered service in France the 1960s and has been exported to many different countries since then. While It is no longer being produced, it remains in service in France and elsewhere. In 1957, France and Germany embarked on a joint project to create a European tank, known as the Europa …
United States – M47 Dragon Anti-Tank Guided Missile
The M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile is a disposable shoulder-fired SACLOS-guided anti-tank missile. It was designed to be used by infantry. One man can operate the M47 Dragon. The complete system, which includes a launch tube with an extendible bipod on the front, weighs 49.6lbs (22.5kg). With SACLOS guidance, the Dragon can engage targets out …
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United States – M18A1 57mm Recoilless Rifle
The M18A1 57mm recoilless rifle entered service in 1945 and was used by the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. It has been used by the South Korean Army. Although the M18A1 has been declared obsolete by the US Army, it is still being produced in Brazil under license. The …
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United States – AT8 Bunker Buster
America’s AT8 bunker buster was a variant of Sweden’s AT4 light anti-armor weapon that was designed to be used to defeat bunkers and to engage in urban warfare. The AT8 bunker buster used the AT4’s propulsion system and launch tube. However, on the AT8, the AT4’s heat projectile is replaced by the HEDP projectile used …
AMX-13 Light Tank
France’s AMX-13 light tank was designed soon after World War II ended. Design of the tank began in 1946. The first prototype was finished in 1948 and production began in 1952. The AMX-13 entered service in 1953. The AMX-13 light tank was designed to be an air-portable reconnaissance vehicle and tank destroyer. It has …
Char ARL-44 Heavy Tank
The Char ARL-44 heavy tank, which was designed in secret when France was under occupation, was supposed to have been an improvement over the Char B1 heavy tank, with a better turret and better main gun. During World War II, France was occupied by the Germans, so French tank production almost came to a halt. …
United States – Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon
The Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon, or SMAW, is a light, shoulder-fired weapon. It can be used as anti-tank weapon, and it can be used against fortified positions. The SMAW consists of a pre-loaded launch tube and a reusable firing system. It can fire HEDP (high explosive dual purpose) and HEAA (high explosive anti-armor) projectiles. Follow …
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United States – BGM-71 TOW Anti-Tank Missile System
The United States’ BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile system is a SACLOS-guided missile system that has been used and copied by many countries around the world. To operate a SACLOS (semi-automatic command to line-of-sight) system, the operator maintains the target in his sights. The missile system’s on board computer responds to commands from the sight unit …
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United States – AGM-114 Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missile System
The AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile system (AGMS) is a versatile weapon that is often associated with the AH-64 Apache helicopter. However, the Hellfire can be mounted on many types of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. It may also be launched from unmanned aircraft, such as the MQ-1 Predator drone. Although the AGM-114 Hellfire missile …
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