Editing M26 Pershing (section)

==== T22 and T23 ====

The '''T22''' series reverted to the M4 transmission because of problems with the early Torqmatic [[wikt:transmission|transmission]] used in the T20. The T22E1 tested an [[autoloader]] for the main gun and eliminated the loader's position with a small two-man turret.
[[File:T23 Prototype Electrical Transmission.jpg|thumb|T23 with production cast turret mounting 76&nbsp;mm M1A1 gun. The T23 turret was used for the 76-mm M4 Sherman. Note the vertical volute spring suspension.]]

Through much of 1943, there was little perceived need within the U.S. Army for a better tank than the 75&nbsp;mm M4 Sherman, and so, lacking any insights from the rest of the Army as to what was needed, the Ordnance Department then took a developmental detour into electrical transmissions with the '''T23''' series.

The [[Diesel-electric transmission|electrical transmission]] was built by [[General Electric]] and had the engine driving a [[Alternator|generator]] that powered two [[traction motor]]s. The concept was similar to the drive system of the German [[VK 45.01 (P)|"Porsche Tiger"]]. It had performance advantages in rough or hilly terrain, where the system could better handle the rapid changes in torque requirements.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1996|p=72}}

The electrical transmission T23 was championed by the Ordnance Department during this phase of development. After the initial prototypes were built in early 1943, an additional 250 T23 tanks were produced from January to December 1944. These were the first tanks in the U.S. Army with the 76&nbsp;mm M1A1 gun to go into production.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1996|p=81}} However, the T23 would have required that the army adopt an entirely separate line of training, repair, and maintenance, and so was rejected for combat operations.{{sfn|Hunnicutt|1996|p=82}}

The primary legacy of the T23 would thus be its production [[Metal casting|cast]] turret, which was designed from the outset to be interchangeable with the turret ring of the M4 Sherman. The T23 turret was used on all production versions of the 76&nbsp;mm M4 Sherman as the original M4 75&nbsp;mm turret was found to be too small to easily mount the 76&nbsp;mm M1A1 gun. The first production 76&nbsp;mm M4 with the T23 turret, the M4E6, was built in the summer of 1943.{{sfn|Zaloga|2008a|p=115-131}}