Light tank

TheM24 Chaffee,an American light tank used during the later part of World War II, and several subsequent conflicts

Alight tankis atank variantinitially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. It is smaller in size with thinnerarmorand a less powerfulmain gun,tailored for better tacticalmobilityand ease of transport andlogistics.They are primarily employed in thescreening,armored reconnaissance,skirmishing,artillery observation,and supplementinglanding operationsin afire supportrole ofexpeditionary forceswhere larger, heavier tanks are unavailable or have difficulties operating safely or efficiently.

The fast light tank was a major feature of the pre–World War IIarmy buildup, where it was expected they would be used to exploit breakthroughs in enemy lines created by slower, heavier tanks, with the goal of disrupting communications and supply lines. Numerous small tank designs and "tankettes"were developed during this period and known under a variety of names, including the"combat car".

Early light tank designs were generally better armed and armored thanarmored cars,but usedtracksin order to provide better cross-country mobility. The light tank has been one of the few tank variants to survive the development of themain battle tank—in which technological advancements have rendered all previous weight variants obsolete—and has seen use in a variety of roles including the support of lightairborneoramphibiousforces and reconnaissance. ModifiedIFVsare assuming these roles in many militaries due to their immediate availability, and as a cheaper versatile alternative to developing and fielding a pure light tank.

History

20th century

World War I

US Army operating Renault FT tanks

InWorld War I,industrial initiative also led to swift advances. The car industry, already used to vehicle mass production and having much more experience in vehicle layout, designed the first practical light tanks in 1916, a class largely neglected by the British.Renault's small tank design, theFT,was the first tank to incorporate a top-mounted turret with a full rotation. The FT was in many respects the first truly modern tank having a layout that has been followed by almost all designs ever since: driver at the front; main armament in a fully rotating turret on top; engine at the rear. Previous models had been "box tanks", with a single crowded space combining the role of engine room, fighting compartment, ammunition stock and driver's cabin. The FT had the largest production run of any tank of the war, over 3,700 (mostly in 1918), and was more numerous than all British and German tanks combined.

Interwar

British light tank Mk V

Type 95 Ha-Gotanks inNew Britainfollowing the Japanese surrender

TheCarden Loyd tanketteand its derivatives were adopted by several nations as small tracked vehicles carrying a machine gun for armament. At a time of limited military budgets,tanketteswere relatively cheap and functioned as reconnaissance vehicles and mobile machine gun posts. In 1928, the British firm ofVickers-Armstrongstarted promoting another design by John Carden and Vivien Loyd as the "six-ton tank".Although rejected by the British Army, it was bought by a large number of nations in small numbers. It formed the basis of the SovietT-26(around 10,000 built) and the Polish7TPtank and influenced the ItalianFiat M11/39.The British Army did not use the design as a light tank themselves but a developed version of the Carden Loyd tankette as the starting point fora series of British light tanksintended for use in imperial policing and expeditionary warfare. As the only tank fit for immediate manufacture, it was a key element in the expansion of the British Army in the period leading up to the outbreak of war.

In general, French tanks of the 1930s were well-armored, innovative vehicles that owed little to foreign designs. However, the light tanks lacked firepower and almost all French tanks were handicapped by their one-man turrets, even the larger tanks such as theChar B1,which overworked the commander who, besides directing the vehicle, or even a troop, had to load and aim the turret gun. The lack of radios with the light tanks was not seen as a major drawback, since French doctrine called for slow-paced, deliberate maneuvers in close conformance to plans. The role of small unit leaders was to execute plans, not to take the initiative in combat.In 1939, a belated effort was made to improve flexibility and increase the number of radios.

Throughout the interwar period the US produced only a few hundred tanks. From the end ofWorld War Ito 1935, only 15 tanks were produced. Most were derivatives or foreign designs or very poor quality private designs. TheChristiedesigns were among the few better examples, but the US Army acquired only three Christies and did not pursue the idea any further. Budget limitations and the low priority given to the army meant that there were few resources for building tanks. The US Army instead developed and tested tank components such as suspensions, tracks, and transmissions. This paid off when production had to be initiated on the outbreak of war.

World War II

GermanPanzer Iin combat during the German invasion of Norway

At the start of World War II, the majority of all of the great powers' tank forces consisted of light designs. The most common were the BritishLight Tank Mk VI,FrenchRenault R35,GermanPanzer I,ItalianL3/35(classified as a light tank by theRoyal Italian Army,atanketteby others), JapaneseType 95 Ha-Go light tank,SovietT-26,and AmericanM2 light tank.

Soviet

TheSovietBT tankswere the most advanced in the 1930s, extremely fast and mounting high velocity 45 mm cannons. Their only drawback were theirpetrol engineswhich caught fire often and easily during theNomonhanfighting, which lasted from about May through September 1939.The JapaneseType 95 Ha-Golight tank was equipped with adiesel engine,and although mounting a 37 mm cannon, it was a low velocity gun with a maximum effective range of about 700 meters. However, this conflict would be instrumental in developing the famousT-34medium tank.

Germany

Germany's armoredPanzerforce was not especially impressive at the start of the war. In the invasionsof PolandandFrance,the German forces were mostly made up of thePanzer IandPanzer IIlight tanks. The Panzer I was little more than a training vehicle armed only with machine guns; the Panzer II with a 20 mm cannon. The Panzer division also included someCzechdesigned light tanks—thePanzer 35(t)and thePanzer 38(t).

American

High Survivability Test Vehicle (Lightweight),an early 1980s concept utilizing a rapid-fire 75 mm gun

American light tank development started with theM2 light tankseries. These light tanks were mechanically very reliable, with good mobility. However, they had a high silhouette, and only a few saw combat. TheM3 Stuartseries was an improvement of the M2 with better armor. The new medium tank just entering production in 1940 was the M2A1. This was a poor design with thin armor and a high silhouette.

The M3 Stuart saw use in theNorth African Campaignbut was relegated to reconnaissance as soon as US-built medium tanks became available. Further light tank development in the war led to the improved M5 Stuart and then included theM24 Chaffee.

Light tanks were issued to tank battalions (one of the four companies was a light tank company), light tank battalions and cavalry reconnaissance squadrons. The original role of the light tank in these formations was similar to medium tanks and they were expected to engage enemy armor with AP rounds and enemy positions with HE rounds. As a result, tank gunnery training for light and medium tankers was common.

US Army Field Manuals written before 1944 clearly show that light tanks were to be part of an armored assault on enemy positions, and examples of fire on enemy armor were in these manuals.When pursuing an enemy, Light Tank Battalions were expected to move parallel with enemy columns and, together with accompanying infantry and engineer units, seize "critical terrain that will block hostile retreat".Despite the fact that light tank platoons were not expected to function as a reconnaissance unit, they could be used for reconnaissance purposes.In this role, they were expected to remain behind the main reconnaissance force as the support element and augment the firepower whenever enemy contact was made.

British

The British withdrew their light tank designs from their armored divisions early in the war, but used some later designs for minor amphibious operations and airborne operations.In general they used armored cars for reconnaissance and the last of the light tank designs, thelight tank Mk VIII"Harry Hopkins", was produced only in small numbers.

Japan

The Japanese made extensive use of light tanks that were much better suited tojungle warfarethan larger designs,such as theType 95 Ha-Golight tank.

Cold War

South VietnameseM41 Walker Bulldog tanks during a training operation

ThePT-76,a Soviet light tank especially designed for amphibious ability

Light tanks continued to be built, but for very limited roles such as amphibious reconnaissance, support ofairborne units,and in rapid-intervention forces that were not expected to face enemy tanks. The SovietPT-76is a specialized light tank –amphibious with sufficient firepower to engage other reconnaissance vehicles, but very lightly armored. The US fielded small numbers of theM41 Walker Bulldogwith a high velocity 76mm gun, and better armor, but it suffered from range limits, and its weight was too heavy for most air transport of the day. The USM551 Sheridanhad similar strengths and weaknesses, but could also be airdropped, either by parachute orLAPES.The French had theirAMX-13light tank, which was designed for its capability to be quickly air-dropped for use with paratroopers and also able to support lightly armed infantry and perform force-reconnaissance effectively.

The BritishFV101 Scorpion,the fire support variant of theCombat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)series of vehicles that replaced armored cars in British service, has been described as a light tank and was sold to many smaller nations. Another light tank in the Cold War era was the SwedishIkv 91(classified as anassault gunby Sweden). It had a low-pressure 90mm gun, strong armor against 20mm grenades, and it was fully amphibious.

Post–Cold War

The AmericanM10 Bookerwill enter service in 2026.

Light tanks, such as thePT-76,continue to play a small role intank warfare,although many are losing favor to cheaper, faster, and lighterarmored cars.The light tank still fills an important niche in many armies, especially for nations with airborne divisions, Marine Infantry, or those without the resources and funding formain battle tanks.They have important advantages over heavier tanks in Southeast Asia and other nations in the Equatorial region. Their compact dimensions and short-to-nonexistent barrel overhang lets them maneuver through thick rain forests, and their weight reduces the risk of getting stuck in mud, and simplifies recovery of stuck or damaged tanks. This makes the light tank the preferred choice for infantry support in Equatorial nations. Post–Cold War light tanks include theStingray,ZTQ-15,M8 Armored Gun SystemandKaplan MT / Harimau.Light tanks based on infantry fighting vehicles chassis include theCV90105T,2S25 Sprut-SD,Tanque Argentino Mediano,ASCOD LT 105,andSabrah.

21st century light tank design

Type 15light tank is fitted with explosive reactive armor, remote weapon system, and laser warning receivers for multi-layered protection

Role

The modern light tank supplements themain battle tankinexpeditionaryroles and situations where all major threats have been neutralized and excessive weight in armor and armament would only hinder mobility and cost more money to operate. They have also been used for reconnaissance and, in some cases, infantry support.

Countermeasures

Typically, the armor in contemporary light tanks is modular, sometimes up to three configurations.

The flat hull necessary for amphibious light tanks toplaneacross the surface of the water is not nearly as blast-resistant as the V-shaped hull.It has been suggested that underbelly armor appliqué could be applied after the light tanks come ashore and before they encounter explosive devices.

Weapons

M551 Sheridanfiring aShillelaghguided missile

A gun capable of defeating modern tanks at reasonable ranges requires a large vehicle to carry it. Gun weight is typically the product ofcaliberandmuzzle velocity.Large caliber guns on light tanks often sacrifice muzzle velocity in interest of saving weight. These guns are effective against close-quarter targets but lack the power and/or accuracy to effectively engage heavier vehicles at a distance.

Mobility

Tactical mobility

The design of thePT-76allows for easy transition from land to water with little preparation

Some light tanks such as thePT-76areamphibious,typically being propelled in the water byhydrojetsor by their tracks. Most amphibious light tanks weigh little and often utilize aluminum armor. Some light tanks require no modifications for river crossings. Crews simply raise the easily accessible cloth sides around the hull, cover the hatches, turn on thebilge pumpand shift the transmission to water operations. Often, a fold down trim vane is erected to stop water from flooding into the hatch.

Strategic mobility

AC-130delivering anM551 Sheridan(now retired from service) using alow-altitude parachute-extraction system(LAPES).

Some light tanks, such as theM551 Sheridan,ZTQ-15and2S25 Sprut-SDarmored reconnaissance vehicle, could be rigged for low-velocityairdrops fromtransport aircraft.With this method the tank is pulled out of the aircraft by brake chutes and skids to a stop. The crew does not ride in the tank during extraction, but parachutes from another plane. Upon landing, they go to their tank, release the lines, and drive it away.

See also

• Main battle tank
• Tankette
• Light tanks of the United Kingdom
• History of the tank
• Tanks in World War I
• Comparison of World War I tanks
• Tanks of the interwar period
• Tanks in World War II
• Comparison of early World War II tanks
• Cold War Tanks
• Post-Cold War Tanks
• Armoured fighting vehicle

Bibliography

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• Chamberlain, Peter; Ellis, Chris (2001).British and American Tanks of World War Two: The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933–1945.Cassell & Company.ISBN0-7110-2898-2.
• Coox, Alvin D.Nomonhan; Japan Against Russia, 1939.Two volumes, 1985.Stanford University Press.ISBN0-8047-1160-7.
• Doherty, Richard (2007).The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II.Osprey Publishing.ISBN978-1-84603-122-9.
• Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978).The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons & Warfare.Vol. 16. Phoebus.ISBN9780839361756.
• Fletcher, David(1989).The Great Tank Scandal: British Armour in the Second World War - Part 1.HMSO.ISBN978-0-11-290460-1.
• Fletcher, David(1989).Universal Tank: British Armour in the Second World War - Part 2.HMSO.ISBN0-11-290534-X.
• Harclerode, Peter (2005).Wings Of War – Airborne Warfare 1918–1945.Weidenfeld & Nicolson.ISBN0-304-36730-3.
• Jackson, Robert (2010).101 Great Tanks.Roseb Pub Group.ISBN978-1-4358-3595-5.
• Otway, Lieutenant-Colonel T.B.H. (1990).The Second World War 1939–1945 Army – Airborne Forces.Imperial War Museum.ISBN0-901627-57-7.
• Tucker, Spencer (2004).Tanks: An Illustrated History of Their Impact.ABC-CLIO.ISBN1-57607-995-3.
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External links

• Tank Museum:Light Tank CategoryArchived2019-02-14 at theWayback Machine