Editing Tank (section)

===21st century===
{{Main|Tanks of the post–Cold War era}}
[[File:Italian Army - 132nd Tank Regiment Ariete main battle tank during an exercise in Italy 01.jpg|alt=|thumb|An Italian [[Ariete|C1 Ariete]] in 2022.]]
The role of tank vs. tank combat is becoming diminished. Tanks work in concert with infantry in urban warfare by deploying them ahead of the platoon. When engaging enemy infantry, tanks can provide covering fire on the battlefield. Conversely, tanks can spearhead attacks when infantry are deployed in personnel carriers.<ref name="Modern tank tactics, infantry">{{Citation|title=Combat Techniques: An Elite Forces Guide to Modern Infantry Tactics|year=2010|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-312-36824-1 |first1=Martin J. |last1=Dougherty |first2=Chris |last2=McNab }}{{Page needed|date=May 2012}}</ref>

Tanks were used to spearhead the initial US invasion of Iraq in 2003. As of 2005, there were 1,100 [[M1 Abrams]] used by the [[United States Army]] in the course of the [[Iraq War]], and they have proven to have an unexpectedly high level of vulnerability to [[roadside bomb]]s.<ref>[[#USAToday2005a|USA Today (2005)]], ''Tank takes a beating in Iraq''</ref> A relatively new type of remotely detonated mine, the [[explosively formed penetrator]] has been used with some success against American armoured vehicles (particularly the [[Bradley fighting vehicle]]). However, with upgrades to their armour in the rear, M1s have proven invaluable in fighting insurgents in urban combat, particularly at the [[Second Battle of Fallujah|Battle of Fallujah]], where the US Marines brought in two extra brigades.<ref name="USAToday2005b"/> Israeli [[Merkava]] tanks contain features that enable them to support [[infantry]] in [[low intensity conflict]]s (LIC) and [[counter-terrorism]] operations. Such features are the rear door and rear corridor, enabling the tank to carry infantry and embark safely; the [[Israeli Military Industries|IMI]] [[APAM-MP-T]] multi-purpose ammunition round, advanced [[C4IS]] systems and recently: [[Trophy (countermeasure)|TROPHY active protection system]] which protects the tank from shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons. During the [[Second Intifada]] further modifications were made, designated as "Merkava Mk. 3d Baz LIC".{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

====Research and development====
[[File:XM1202 MCS.jpg|thumb|left|Graphic representation of the US Army's cancelled [[Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles#XM1202 Mounted Combat System|XM1202 Mounted Combat System]]]]

In terms of firepower, the focus of 2010s-era [[Research and development|R&D]] was increased detection capability such as [[Thermography|thermal imagers]], automated fire control systems for the guns and increased [[muzzle energy]] from the gun to improve range, accuracy and armour penetration.<ref>{{Citation | last = Pengelley | first = Rupert | title = A new era in tank man armament: The options multiply | journal = Jane's International Defence Review | issue = November 1989 | pages = 1521–31 | year = 1989}}</ref> The most mature future gun technology is the [[Electrothermal-chemical technology|electrothermal-chemical]] gun.<ref>Hilmes, Rolf (30 January 1999), "Aspects of future MBT conception". ''Military Technology'' '''23''' (6): 7. Moench Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh.</ref> The [[XM291]] electrothermal-chemical tank gun has gone through successful multiple firing sequences on a modified American [[M8 Armored Gun System]] chassis.<ref>{{Citation| last = Goodell | first = Brad |title = Electrothermal Chemical (ETC) Armament System Integration Into a Combat Vehicle |journal = IEEE Transactions on Magnetics | volume = 43 | issue = 1 | pages = 456–459 | publisher = IEEE |date=January 2007| doi = 10.1109/TMAG.2006.887524| bibcode = 2007ITM....43..456G | s2cid = 35796526 |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4033055| issn=0018-9464 }}</ref> To improve tank protection, one field of research involves making the tank invisible to radar by adapting [[Stealth technology|stealth]] technologies originally designed for aircraft. Improvements to [[camouflage]] or and attempts to render it invisible through [[active camouflage]], which changes according to where the tank is located, are being pursued. Research is also ongoing in [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] armour systems to disperse or deflect incoming [[hollow charge|shaped charges]],<ref>{{Citation| last = Wickert | first = Matthias | title = Electric armour Against Shaped Charges: Analysis of Jet Distortion With Respect to Jet Dynamics and Current Flow| journal = IEEE Transactions on Magnetics| volume = 43| issue = 1| pages = 426–29 | publisher = IEEE|date=January 2007| doi = 10.1109/TMAG.2006.887650| bibcode = 2007ITM....43..426W | s2cid = 12106623}}</ref><ref>Xiaopeng, Li, et al., ''Multiprojectile Active Electromagnetic armour'', pp. 460–62</ref> as well as various forms of [[active protection system]]s to prevent incoming projectiles (RPGs, missiles, etc.) from striking the tank.

Mobility may be enhanced in future tanks by the use of [[diesel–electric powertrain|diesel–electric]] or turbine–electric [[series hybrid]] drives—first used in a primitive, gasoline-engined form with Porsche's ''[[Elefant]]'' German tank destroyer of 1943—improving fuel efficiency while reducing the size and weight of the power plant.<ref>''Electric/Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicles for Military Applications'', pp. 132–44</ref> Furthermore, advances in gas turbine technology, including the use of advanced [[recuperator]]s,<ref>McDonald, Colin F., ''Gas Turbine Recuperator Renaissance'', pp. 1–30</ref> have allowed for reduction in engine volume and mass to less than 1 m<sup>3</sup> and 1 metric ton, respectively, while maintaining fuel efficiency similar to that of a diesel engine.<ref>Koschier, Angelo V. and Mauch, Hagen R., ''Advantages of the LV100 as a Power Producer in a Hybrid Propulsion System for Future Fighting Vehicles,'' p. 697</ref> In line with the new doctrine of [[network-centric warfare]], the 2010s-era modern battle tank shows increasing sophistication in its electronics and communication systems. The future of tanks has been challenged by the proliferation of relatively inexpensive anti tank guided missiles and rockets during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tanks-could-grow-obsolete-russia-ukraine-war-shows-2022-3?r=US&IR=T|title=Ukraine has destroyed nearly 10% of Russia's tanks, making experts ask: Are tanks over?|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=March 23, 2022}}</ref>