Modern warfares 4th generation tank

The Japanese main battle tank Type 10

Tank clasification
First generation The first generation consists of the medium tanks designed and produced directly after World War II that were later redefined as main battle tanks. Tank
Country Years of service

T-54/55
Soviet Union 1946-

M48 Patton
19531990s

Centurion
1945-

United States United Kingdom

Number build
Weight Power Main Gun caliber

86-100.000
39 t 580 hp 100 mm

~12,000
45 t 750 hp 90/105 mm

4,423
52 t 650 hp 105 mm L7

Second generation The second generation had enhanced night-fighting capabilities and in most cases NBC protection. Most western tanks of this generation were armed with the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 tank gun.

Tank Country Years of service

T-72 Soviet Union 1971-

Leopard I 1965-

Merkava I/II 1979-

West Germany Israel

Number build
Weight Power

25,000+
41.5 t 780 hp

4,744
42.2 t 820 hp 105 mm L7

830
63 t 900 hp 105 mm L7

Main Gun caliber 125 mm

Third generation The third generation of main battle tanks is characterized by composite amour, smooth bore main cannons and computerized stabilized fire control systems, which allow firing on the move as well as very high first hit probability on targets up to 2000m. Tank Country Years of service T-90 Russia 1996M1 Abrams 1980Leopard II 1979United States West Germany

Number build
Weight Power

1,667+
47.5 t

10,000+
61.3 t

3,480+
62 t 1480 hp 120 mm

840/950/1250hp 1500hp 105/120 mm

Main Gun caliber 125 mm

4th generation Fourth generation are still under development or at early generation. These main battle tanks use the latest technology and designs to over take a third generation. Tank Country Manufacturer Years of service Number build Weight Power Crew Speed Main Gun caliber Predecesor Type 10 Japan Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 201281 48 t 1200 hp 3 Forward: 70 km/h Backward: 70 km/h 120 mm L44 smoothbore cannon, built by Japan Steel Works Type 74 , Type 90

Type 74

Type 10

Protection
The vehicle's armor consists of modular ceramic composite sections, providing the ability to mount varying degrees of protection depending on the mission profile as well as weight requirements. The Commander's Panoramic Sight is located at a higher position than the Type 90, giving the commander an unobstructed 360 degree view. Spaced armor and reactive armor mounted in modules can be easily removed , placed or replaced when needed. When the tank is being locked on a laser detection system automatically triggers the smoke grenade launchers to fire a screening grenade, which deflects/scrambles the laser so that a lock cannot be achieved .

Anti-HEAT Spaced Armor

Anti-HEAT Reactive Armor

Mobility
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that allows the tank to reach 70 km/h forward as well as reverse. Operational range 440 km 4-stroke cycle V8 Diesel engine 1200 hp/2300 rpm Hydropneumatic active suspension, which allows it to adjust its stance (lower profile , bigger gun depression) and absorbs recoil when firing.

Fire power
Same main gun as Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams - Rheinmetall L44 120mm Able to fire DU kinetic rounds or DM12 multi-purpose anti-tank projectile (MPAT) Caliber 120 mm Muzzle velocity 1,580 to 1,750 m/s Effective range 4000 meters with DM63 to 8000 meters with LAHAT