Tank Encyclopedia's Archives
A sub of Tank Encyclopedia. This is the new archive section, with all former entries, and a search engine. ➀ All single vehicles are accessible by nations and eras in a more consistent and logical way than previously. ADS are needed due to finance better server performances as audience grows. But you can support also it through merchandise here.
➁ New posts weekly. These are mere "entry into matter", for vehicles scheduled on tank-encyclopedia.com, that will be seen in the latter in much more detail. A link from the archive entry will point to the new article when up. There are still circa 2,000 serial armored vehicles to be treated over the years excluding prototypes and paper projects, so tank-afv.com will continue to run until all are treated, and follow the news of armoured vehicles around the world.
☄ About the site name: If a "Tank" is obvious to anyone in this context, "AFV" is an acronym which stands for "Armoured Fighting Vehicle". It is a catch-all definition for all military vehicles armoured (and armed), tracked or wheeled. For soft-skinned vehicles please visit truck-encyclopedia.com. See also The 2015 archive.
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♆ 16/01/2025
M142 HIMARS (2005)
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a light Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army. It was self-propelled, mounted in the Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) M1140 truck. A single pod carried either six GMLRS rockets or a single ATACMS missile in its modular container. The pod is compatible with the ammunitions already fired by the M270 MLRS, a wide family of Munitions since the 1980s. Indeed, the full pods are interchangeable with the M270, which had two pods. Its light weight, unlike the M270 is critical as it enabled tactical air transport (C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy, even C-130 Hercules) and the mass-produced FMTV truck now produced by Oshkosh Corporation 2010-2017 sharing its elements makes it standardized and easy to maintain. So far, the M142 HIMARS saw action in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and the current war in Ukraine. It was exported to 6 countries, with 8 potential operators in negotiation.
♆ 08/01/2025
Tiran (1969)
The IDF Tiran tanks were a serie of modified Soviet T-54 and T-55 tanks, captured in 1967 and 1973, and repurposed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Gradually, the IDF replaced many of the original Soviet components with Western systems to improve compatibility with their logistics and operational needs. Later models obtained the 105mm M68 rifled gun with improved targeting optics, night vision, new communication systems, upgraded engines for better reliability, IDF storage bins and smoke grenade launchers, and other external fittings. They were mainly used in Lebanon and some given to the South Lebanese Army, phased out as more Merkava entered IDF service.
♆ 01/01/2025
Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer (1958)
The Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer was designed and built during the late 1950s for the French Army, based on the mass-produced AMX-13 light tank for commonality. Inspired somewhat by WW2 German self-propelled artillery, it was a well protected (albeit not NBC) vehicle, capable of 60 km/h (37 mph) and with the Obusier de 105 modèle 1950 howitzer capable of a range of 14.5 km (9 mi) at 6 rpm. It was priduced to 550 vehicles at Roanne Workshops and also exported and used by Israel in the 1967 war, but also Indonesia, Morocco and the Netherlands. The improved Mk.62 was developed for Switzerland but not adopted. One was preserved at Thun, another at Saumur.
WW1 Tanks & Armored Cars
Born in the Trenches, when the front became static, the idea of the tank was a resurgence of ...science fiction, when some looked at HG Wells' "land battleships" novel. In UK, development was stirred by Wintson Churchill and the Navy. In France, by an artillery officer, J.B. Estienne. And soon the world took notice. Tanks were rare and few in between still, with grand plans in 1918 that never were realized. When the front was not static, armored cars reigned supreme.
WW2 Tanks & Armored Cars
In 1939, thanks had nearly two decades to evolve at peacetime rate, though the boiling of new ideas of tactics and combined arms, with some armies more acute of these than any others. Ground combat proved absolute masters of these new ideas, the Wehrmacht, with luck and opposite incompetence. After moving to USSR, the fight moved to Africa, then to Italy and back to Western Europe at large, driving fast-paced innovation in a deadly food chain contest.
Cold War Armoured Fighting Vehicles
The atomic age started with the opposition of two superpowers, which developed deterrence but at the same time, always considered conventional warfare. Far from peaceful, this second half century, until 1991, saw gradual improvement, with a gap of twenty years before generations, towards 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation main battle tanks and a cohort of armoured personal carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and many specialized variants, wheeled and tracked.
Modern Armoured Fighting Vehicles
As the recent conflict in Ukraine shows us, the tank is still useful in the frame of a conventional war. However drones unexpectedly showed deadlier as well as artillery. Between 1991 and 2025are we really seeing a radical transformation of ground warfare ? One thing is sure through for all generals: The main battle tank is still king of the battlefield, when well used and accompanied. From city scapes to desert, steppe, rolly hills and mountains, even coming from the sea, the tank adapted and is there to stay.
Upcoming:
South Africa: Bosvark, MRAP Samil-50 Kwevoel RV, Ribbok, Hippo
Israel: Merkava II, III, IV, M109A5 Doher/Rochev, Magach 5 Golan, M113 Golan/Zelda Toga (IDF service), MAR 290/90, M3 HT in IDF service, M50 AGM launcher, Haviv MLR, Eshel HaYarden , M2310 shilem
Britain: FV 433/438 swingfire, Lloyd carrier, Vickers Mk.I MBT, Centurion AVRE, Light Mk.IV Colonial Pattern, Light Tank Mk.II, Wasp Carrier, Bren Carrier (update), FV430 Bulldog, FV105 Sultan, FV103 Spartan
USA: M548, M728 CRV, M40 155mm HMC, T12E1 CGMC, M15 Combination GMC, M13 MGMC, M12 155mm SPG, M14 MGMC, M17 MGMC, M39 Carrier, T1 Cunningham, M22 Locust, M3 HMC-75mm, M4 sherman flail, Marmon CTLS, Sherman-MkV-Crocodile, M136 VADS, M108 SPG, LAV-300, M113 FIST, M106 MortarCarrier, M577 Command, M730 MIM-72 Chaparral, M103, M110 howitzer
USSR/Russia: 2S7M Malka, 9M317 BUK-M2, 9K330 Tor, 1S91-kvardat, 9K37M1 buk-M (SA-17-Grizzly), 2S35 Koalitsiya, Kamaz Typhoon, 9P148, BTT-1, MT-55, 9P157-2_Khrizantema-S, 9P163M-1-Kornet, 2S23-Nona-SVK, 9P148-Konkurs, 9K31-Strela-10, BMO-T, BMP-2M, BPM-97-Vystrel, BTR-T, Ural Typhoon, VPK7829 Bumerang, R-381T-Taran, R-145BM, PTS-II, STZ-5 tractor/BM-13-16(Ni tank), Pioneer(Komomolets), T26T/BNSP reco vehicle/TP26, Ya12 tractor(T60/70), GT-MU soviet airborne APC, GAZ-2330 Tigr
China: Type 63G mod. light tank, VT4, Yitian-SPAAML, PLZ-07, PLZ-52, PGZ-07, PTL-02, Type 63C APC amphib Ukraine ready: BMP-1U, Varta MRAP, BTR-60M Khorunzhy APC , BTR4 MV1, 2S22 Bohdana
And also: TAB-77, LAV-6, GAZ-3937 'Vodnik', M120 Rak (base Rosomak), ShKH vz. 77 DANA, RCH-155, AHS Krab, ShKH Zuzana, Archer, T-155 Fırtına RODEF-4, Pereh-tank-destroyer, T34-D30-SPH, Iranian Rakhsh-APC, Patria II AMV, Light Tank Mark II, Mark III, Spanish AFVs interwar, TAB 77+ B33 Zimbru, Ford Lynx, Rhodesian Crocodile, Serge CDS, Jordan Khalid MBT, Jordan Al Hussein, Leonardo-M60 , wasserwerfer-SK2, BTR-152 vz53 SPAAG, MT-55, BTS-4A, BTS-2, M47M_AVLB, Renault FT command, 370-Recoiless-GunsSPG, TC5000XYB
2025 Announcement
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Centennial.
Hundreds of pages, for free
The full catalog: All AFVs of the world by country and eras, 2017 Edition.
Armored Trains.
The New section in development
The same database as for tanks: Railroad networks developed in the XIXth soon found a military use. Before even WWI, train attacks led to armed and armored trains. This had going on for more than a century now. This will cover all WW1, WW2, but also cold war and even recent armoured trains on the long run.
21/12/2024 
Zeppelin (1942)
"Zeppelin" is a unique Finnish WW2 armored railcar. It was manufactured between 1940 and 1941 with sources conflicting if there was one or more of these draisines, possibly in 1941. It was created from various armored vehicles captured by the Finns in the Winter War, notably a BA-10 turret housing a 45mm cannon and single 7.62mm DT machine-gun. it was probably powered by a pair of Komsomolets artillery tractors diesels and associated gearboxes, manned by two drivers compartment front and rear for quick reverse, for a crew of 4-6. It took part in the continuation war until 1943, and lost likely during the siege of Leningrad. "Zeppelin" was also camouflaged and had armoured shutters, two main side access door and a triple bogie.
Trucks.
Military Trucks and staff cars.
A dedicated section for softskin vehicles, from WWI to this day: Trucks, staff cars, reconnaissance vehicles, and artillery tractors: Truck-Encyclopedia.com.
Albion WD FT15
12.01.2024 The Albion WD.FT15N/NW was a 6x6 development of the WD.FT11N and BY5 as a low silhouette gun tractor with semi-forward control layout to stay below 7 feet 6 inches as main requirement, notably to facilitate shipment. The first was assembled and tested from April 1945 with a EN281 engine, with a 2 speed gearbox with lockable third differential, other features (N) and an optional waterproofing (NW). 500 were ordered in the spring, but only 150 supplied until the order was cancelled in January 1946. It was intended to replace the Albion BY5 produced from 1942.
Older Entries:
Pacific M25 Tank Transporter "Dragon Wagon" * C2P Tractor (1936) * Autocarro Unificato Pesante O.M. URSUS (1939) * ZIL-131 * Faun L900 D567 (1937) * Mack NJU 5-ton 4x4 * KrAZ-6322 * BM-30 Smerch * Isuzu Type 97 * FSC Lublin 51 (1951) * Ford G8T (1942) * SU-12 * Mercedes Benz 250 GD & G class (1978) *
The Antitank-Encyclopedia.
All the means to destroy a Tank.
From early antitank cannons and rifles to missiles, mines and RPGs.
130mm M46 Gun (1951)
➾ gun produced 1951-71, c6000
The 130 mm towed field gun M-46 was mass produced in USSR from 1951 to 1971, NATO M1954, and among the longest ranged artillery at the time, 27 km (17 mi) unassisted, 40 km (25 mi) assisted, studied from 1946 to replace several 122 mm WW2 ordnance and derived from the M-36 130 mm naval gun, by Factory No 172 (MOTZ). It largely exported and produced under licence, seeing plenty of action from Vietnam to the current war in Ukraine. Many SPGs were also created like the Chinese 59-1, Egyptian M59-1M, North Korean SPG 130 mm M1975, the SPG 130 mm M1981 and the SPG 130 mm M1991, Romanian A412 or Tun calibrul 130-mm tractat M1982, a Cuban T-34-85 variant of another on a modified KrAZ 6x6 truck also adopted by Vietnam as the PTH130-K225B. Apart from Frag-HE and other types it could fire the antitank APCBC-HE-T, BR-482 and BR-482B at 1,140 meters max. It was also transformed or manufactuerd by India, Israel, Serbia, even the Netherlands and used or still use by 60+ countries.