Tank

A tank is a heavily armored vehicle, capable of withstanding almost any small-arms fire. In terms of stopping power, tanks are the most powerful ground vehicles in every Battlefield game. The large-caliber guns are able to pierce any armor, and the co-axial guns can mow down infantry and damage light-armored vehicles. One tank may hold 2 players - the primary position having control of the tank, the main and co-axial gun, and the secondary having control of the exposed heavy machine gun.

M4 Sherman
The U.S. M4 Sherman was not the most powerful or most heavily armored tank on the battlefield, yet it served its purpose as a very reliable fighting machine. Because more Sherman tanks were produced than any other tank in World War II, these tanks often out-numbered enemy vehicles. The Sherman was arguably the most important tank of its time.

PzKfW Mk.VI Tiger
The German Tiger tank was heavily armored and packed a powerful punch. Initially designed in response to the success of the Russian T-34, the first Tiger tanks to come off the production lines were not very reliable. However, over time German engineers fine-tuned these battle machines, and the Tiger tank would become one of the most feared tanks in WWII.

PzKfW Mk.IV Panzer
The Panzer Mk. IV was a devastating force throughout World War II for the German Army. Armed with a 75-mm main gun, the Panzer provided the Germans with a powerful and mobile weapon. If the Panzer Mk. IV had one drawback it was its lack of speed for a light tank. Between 1940 and 1945, Germany produced over 8,000 of these tanks.

Chi Ha 97
The Chi-Ha light tank was no match for the Russian and U.S. tanks. At Nomonhan, Japanese troops were nearly wiped out because the Chi-Ha?s guns could not stop the enemy tanks. In response to this failure, Japan increased the armor and firepower of the Chi-Ha, but the newly unveiled U.S. M4 Sherman exceeded the capability of the updated Chi-Ha.

T-34/85
Improving upon the already substantial armor and armament of its predecessor, the T-34/85 was fitted with an 85-mm anti-aircraft gun. Able to travel smoothly on just about any terrain, the T-34/85 was a formidable force throughout the war. When first confronted with original T-34/85 tanks, the Germans quickly took note of its superiority to their tanks.

T34/76
Acknowledging the superior design of German tanks, Russia developed the T-34/76 light tank. The T-34/76 was designed to excel in armor and firepower and match its German counterparts in all ways. Although effective battlefield vehicles, Russia was unable to produce as many of these tanks as planned, so the T-34/76 never became the combat powerhouse it was intended to be.

M4A83 Patton
Even though the Patton is a medium-sized tank, it is the heaviest tank in the war. Like the Sheridan, it has an upper turret with an M240 cupola and a main turret with a big cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial MG, but the big cannon on the Patton is only 90mm, compared to the Sheridan's 152mm.

Sheridan
Although not heavily armored, the Sheridan tank is still a force to be reckoned with. It is lightweight for its size and carries a powerful 152mm cannon on its main turret. Both the main turret, which also features a 7.62mm coaxial MG, and the upper turret with an M240 can rotate 360 degrees.

PT-76
Another tank with a main gun (76mm), co-axial machine gun, and roof-mounted machine gun, the PT-76 separates itself from the other tanks on the battlefield by being amphibious. This versatility makes up for its relatively light armor and slow speed.

T-54
The Soviet T-54 tank is a medium-sized tank falling somewhere in between the Sheridan and the Patton in size. Like those US tanks, the T-54 is a triple threat with its 100mm main gun, co-axial machine gun, and roof-mounted machine gun. It is more stable and heavily armored than the Sheridan, but not as up-to-date in its design as the Patton.

Battlefield 2
Tanks in Battlefield 2 are designed to be equivalent in gameplay terms, unlike those in previous editions of the game. The tanks in Battlefield 2 are:

M1A2
The backbone of the US Military’s armored forces, the M1A2 Abrams exemplifies high tech firepower. Its main armament, a 120mm smooth bore cannon, is capable of firing a variety of rounds, including the advanced M8300 HEAT (high explosive anti-tank) and M829 depleted uranium armor-piercing rounds. A sophisticated fire control system stabilizes the cannon for accurate shooting on the move, while a laser range finder, thermal imaging sight, and a digital ballistics computer give the Abrams a “first shot, first kill” advantage. Protected by an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) system and surrounded by steel-encased depleted uranium armor, the M1A2 can operate in nearly any conceivable battlefield environment.

T-90
In the early 1990s, the Russian Army began production on a successor to the problematic T-80 tank. Dubbed the T-90, the new tank is a powerful weapon system that combines advanced armaments and equipment. It carries a 125mm main gun capable of firing various HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank) and HE-Frag (high-explosive fragmentation) projectiles, as well as laser-guided missiles with HEAT warheads. The T-90’s real advantage, however, lies in its impressive defensive system. Equipped with an exclusive optronic countermeasure device, the tank automatically detects and disrupts any enemy targeting or range-finding device. It then uses a high-powered laser to directly attack the enemy weapon's optics or gunner.

Type 98
Firepower, mobility, and protection are requisites for any tank that hopes to survive combat on the modern battlefield; the Type 98 meets and surpasses all of them. Developed during the early 1990s, the Type 98 represents the latest in Chinese design and manufacturing. Engineers based its hull on proven Russian and European models, and incorporated high technology to maximize its performance: a laser rangefinder, wind sensor, ballistic computer, and axis stabilization system ensure accurate firing of its 125mm cannon while on the move, while a combination warning/defense system protect the tank from enemy laser-guided weapons.

Chinese tanks typically resemble Russian designs. The Type 98 was the first to break out of that mold with its sleek hull and angled, Western-style turret.

Leopard 2A6
The 2A6 features a new smoothbore 120mm gun that can fire the same ammunition as the 2A5’s gun as well as new high penetration projectiles. In addition to this 55 caliber gun (versus 44 caliber on the 2A5), the 2A6 also boasts an armor kit that grants improved protection against mines, as well as an air conditioning system. The tank is very well protected overall by third generation composite armor, increasing its effectiveness as a force on the battlefield.

Challenger 2
Second generation armor plating makes the Challenger 2 the best protected tank in NATO. An all-electric gun control and stabilization system gives its 30 caliber, 120mm gun improved accuracy. Extra firepower comes courtesy of the 7.62mm chain gun mounted next to the main gun.

A-8 Tiger
The tank used by the European Union, the A-8 Tiger is the latest version of the A-series heavy tank division, adding a Non-Explosive Reactive Armor (NxRA) package to its standard composite construction. An additional Active Defense System enables the Tiger to withstand heavy artillery and missile attacks. Increased engine torque and power-to-weight ratio enable the track-based Tiger additional mobility and improved speed across rugged terrain. The Tiger is equipped with a driver-controlled main cannon and a rapid-fire, high caliber repeater at the second position, providing robust firepower against ground-based infantry and armored vehicle targets.

Type 32 Nekomata
Used by the Pan Asian Coalition. Utilizing state-of-the-art, air-assisted levitation technology, the Type 32 Nekomata hover tank is the very latest in armored combat, boasting unmatched mobility across almost any topography. Similar to the A-8 Tiger, the Nekomata incorporates NxRA technology into its composite armor base and uses an Active Defense System to ward off high impact, airborne weapon attacks. It also matches the A-8 attack capabilities with a driver-controlled cannon and second position repeater.