The US military is one of the most advanced fighting forces in the world, and their tracked vehicles are an integral part of that success. In 2023, the US Army is continuing to invest in the development of more advanced tracked vehicles that can go faster, carry heavier payloads, and offer more protection to their crews. In this article, we’ll take a look at the current US military tracked vehicles and what the future holds for them.
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Tracked Vehicles: What Are They?
Tracked vehicles are vehicles that use tracks instead of wheels to move on the ground. This type of vehicle is much better suited for traversing hard terrain and can go over obstacles that other types of vehicles would struggle with. The US Army has used tracked vehicles since the early 1900s, and they are still an important part of the military’s arsenal today.
Types of Tracked Vehicles
The US Army uses a variety of tracked vehicles for different roles. These include tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and engineer vehicles. Tanks are heavily-armored and armed with powerful cannons, machine guns, and anti-tank missiles. Armored personnel carriers are designed to carry infantry troops into battle and provide them with protection from enemy fire. Infantry fighting vehicles are designed to provide infantry troops with fire support, while engineer vehicles are designed to clear obstacles such as minefields and provide bridge-building capabilities.
Current Tracked Vehicles
The US Army currently uses a variety of tracked vehicles, including the M1A2 Abrams tank, the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, the M113 armored personnel carrier, and the M88 recovery vehicle. The M1A2 Abrams is the army’s main battle tank and is equipped with a 120mm main gun and a powerful engine that allows it to reach speeds of up to 45 mph. The M2 Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle that is armed with a 25mm chain gun and a TOW anti-tank missile. The M113 is an armored personnel carrier that can carry up to 11 infantry troops and is armed with a .50 caliber machine gun. The M88 recovery vehicle is used to tow damaged vehicles and is equipped with a crane and winch.
Future Tracked Vehicles
The US Army is continually investing in the development of more advanced tracked vehicles. One of the most exciting projects is the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, which is a joint effort between the US Army and the US Marine Corps. The FCS program will develop a new family of vehicles that are lighter, faster, and more heavily armed than current models. The FCS family of vehicles will include a new main battle tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, and an armored personnel carrier. The new tank will be equipped with a 120mm main gun and advanced armor, while the infantry fighting vehicle will be armed with a 30mm cannon and a TOW missile. The armored personnel carrier will be able to carry up to 14 infantry troops and be armed with a .50 caliber machine gun.
Conclusion
Tracked vehicles are an essential part of the US Army’s arsenal, and the military is continuing to invest in the development of more advanced tracked vehicles. The US Army currently uses a variety of tracked vehicles, including the M1A2 Abrams tank, the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, the M113 armored personnel carrier, and the M88 recovery vehicle. The US Army is also investing in the development of the Future Combat Systems family of vehicles, which will be lighter, faster, and better armed than current models. With the continued development of advanced tracked vehicles, the US Army will remain one of the most powerful fighting forces in the world for many years to come.