Main battle tanks are the main armored force of modern land warfare, they have strong firepower, protection and mobility, and can play an important role in different battlefield environments. The main battle tanks of different countries have their own characteristics and advantages, and one of the important indicators is the longest range, that is, the maximum distance at which the main battle tank can effectively hit the target. This article will introduce the maximum range of several main battle tanks in the world, as well as their related technical and performance characteristics.
The T-90MS (T-90MS main battle tank) is a modern and improved model recently developed by Russia on the basis of the T-90 main battle tank technology, which was officially installed in the Russian Army in 2011. The T-90MS tank uses a new 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine and automatic transmission box in the power system, with a power of 1130 horsepower, which has better maneuverability. The front part of the hull is equipped with "closed-release" armor to protect the safety of the driver. The system increases the overall level of firepower with precision guidance and remotely controlled stations. The main gun is still the 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, and its standard shell-piercing shells have a firing range of 5000 meters. The T-90MS main battle tank fully demonstrates Russia's continuous progress and innovation in tank technology and armored warfare concepts, and has important combat value for the Russian army, comparable to NATO main battle tanks.
The Leopard 2A7+ (Leopold 2A7+ main battle tank) is a recent modification of the Leopold 2 series of tanks developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei (KMW), which was introduced in 2010. On the basis of the original hull structure, the Leopold 2A7+ tank adopts advanced armor technologies such as modular composite armor and gap armor to enhance the protection performance. The fire system has improved the shooting accuracy by improving the image stabilization device, the electro-optical tracking system and the ballistic computer. The main ** is still a 120 mm caliber smoothbore gun, which can fire all kinds of armor-piercing shells and high-explosive shells, and its maximum effective range is up to 5,000 meters. The Leopold 2A7+ main battle tank shows that Germany maintains a world-leading level in the field of tank technology and armored combat concepts, and is a new main battle tank with advanced performance and strong combat capabilities.
Leclerc (Leclerc main battle tank) is a new type of main battle tank independently developed by France on the basis of the AMX-30 main battle tank, which was officially equipped with the French Army in 1992. The Leclerc tank adopts the concept of modular armor protection, is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, can fire shell-piercing shells and various types of high-explosive shells, and the maximum effective range of the main combat ammunition is 4000 meters. The application of the all-digital fire control system and the stable aiming device has greatly improved its ability to shoot accurately in the mobile state. The power plant is a V-type 12-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a maximum power of 1500 hp. The performance indicators of the Leclerc tank have reached the world-class level, indicating that France has caught up with the world's advanced ranks in the field of main battle tank research and development, and is an important achievement of the French defense industry.
The M1A2 Abrams (M1A2 Abrams main battle tank) is an improved version of the M1 tank developed by General Dynamics of the United States, which entered service with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in 1992. The M1A2 tank is designed with advanced composite armor and internal flameproof defense structure to resist a variety of anti-tank attacks. The main ** is a 120 mm caliber smoothbore gun, which can fire a variety of shell-piercing shells and high-explosive shells, and its maximum combat effective range is 3,000 meters. It has a high-precision digital fire control system and a stabilized sight, and has strong all-weather precision strike capabilities. The new 1,500 hp gas-oil turbo engine significantly extends the range. The M1A2 is currently one of the most advanced and best-protected main battle tanks in the world, fully demonstrating the leading edge of the United States in tank technology and is an important mechanized combat equipment of the US military.
Type 99A is a new type of main battle tank developed by China North Industries Corporation on the basis of the Type 98 tank, which was officially installed in the armored corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 2011. The Type 99A tank is one of the main tanks in service in our army. It is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun as its main armament, and can fire shell-piercing and high-explosive shells, with an effective range of up to 3,000 meters. The fire control system implements all-digital control, has a strong all-weather, complex terrain combat capability, and greatly improves the accuracy of shooting. The power plant is a 1200 horsepower diesel engine, the transmission system structure is advanced and reliable, and the maximum speed is 70 kilometers per hour. The Type 99A main battle tank can be said to have reached the world's advanced level, and is a successful example of China's independent innovation and design.
The T-84 Oplot-M (T-84 Oplot-M main battle tank) is an improved version developed by the Ukrainian Maliopol Machine-Building Plant on the basis of the T-84 main battle tank, which was finalized in 2009 and began mass production into service with the Ukrainian army. The T-84 Oplot-M tank received a 6TD-2E 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a maximum power of 1250 horsepower on the power system, which improved maneuverability. The fire system has improved the efficiency of shooting through the application of a new automatic loader and a more accurate electron-optical targeting system. The hull uses a modular integrated defense system that allows for the rapid replacement of damaged armor modules. The main ** is still a 125mm smoothbore gun, which can fire BM-42M Storm Wing stable disarming armor-piercing shells with an effective range of 3,000 meters. The T-84 Oplot-M main battle tank fully reflects the efforts and achievements of the Ukrainian defense industry in the development and upgrading of tanks. It has sufficient firepower and protection capabilities, and is an important armored strike force of the Ukrainian army.
The Challenger 2 (Challenger 2 main battle tank) is a new generation of main battle tank developed by the United Kingdom in the 1990s based on the Challenger 1 tank, and is currently in service with the British Army. The Challenger 2 adopts the design concept of a monolithically cast composite armored hull and partition protection, and adds chord armor and Dorchester armor modules to key parts to improve the protection capability. The fire and fire control system is fully digitalized, and the main ** is a 120 mm caliber smoothbore gun, which can fire shell-piercing shells and high-explosive shells, with a maximum effective range of 2,500 meters. The drive system is a conventional mechanical transmission using MTU's 12-cylinder multi-fuel diesel engine with a maximum horsepower of 1,500 hp. The overall structure of the Challenger No. 2 tank is mature and reliable, and the protection performance is excellent, which can be called world-class. It has participated in almost all the important combat operations of the British Army, showing strong combat value, and is an important achievement in the development of British equipment.
The Type 10 is the latest and most advanced domestically produced main battle tank of Japan Automotive Heavy Industries, which was installed in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 2012. The Type 10 tank adopts a modular design as a whole, with a spacious interior, and uses a global positioning system and an inertial navigation system to maneuver in complex terrain. In order to cope with Japan's complex road conditions and bridge weight restrictions, it weighed more than 10 tons less than the previous Type 90 tank, and weighed less than 50 tons. The power system is a combination of a new V-shaped 10-cylinder diesel engine and a hydraulic transmission, with a horsepower of 1,200 horsepower and a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour, and the driving capacity has been greatly improved. Equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore main gun, it can fire a variety of ammunition, with improved image stabilization, rangefinder and fire control system, and has an effective range of 2,500 meters. The protection is also improved compared to the previous generation, and the key parts are equipped with modular armor or additional armor to enhance the defense capability. Therefore, the Type 10 tank is theoretically comparable to the latest main battle tanks in Europe and the United States. It embodies Japan's unique philosophy and strength in tank technology.
The PT-91 Twardy is a new Polish main battle tank upgraded in 1993 from the Soviet-made T-72M1 main battle tank, which is still in service with the Polish Army. The biggest upgrade of the PT-91 is the installation of a new fire control system, which uses fully digital image stabilization and rangefinder and ballistic computer, making it more accurate than the T-72M1 prototype. On the ** system, the PT-91 is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun and can fire a variety of NATO standard ammunition, the main combat ammunition is a wing-stabilized armor-piercing shell with an empty warhead, and its effective range is 2000 meters. The engine uses a 12-cylinder diesel engine with rising power, which allows it to reach a maximum road speed of 60 km/h. The hull structure has also been partially enhanced, with additional armor added to the front of the hull to improve protection. As a domestic tank in Poland, PT-91 has not only met its own needs, but also exported to many countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, which better reflects the achievements and strength of Polish tank development. Despite its range and protection capabilities compared to the world's most advanced main battle tanks, the PT-91 is still a successful main battle tank design that is both economical and practical.
This article describes the maximum range of several main battle tanks in the world, as well as their related technical and performance characteristics. Through comparative analysis, it can be seen that the main battle tanks of different countries have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of range, protection, firepower, mobility, etc., reflecting the differences and development levels of various countries in tank technology and armored combat concepts. As an important piece of equipment for modern land warfare, the maximum range of the main battle tank is an important factor affecting its combat effectiveness, and it is also the goal of all countries to continuously pursue innovation and improvement.