The History of Tank Development in the United States

American Tank development was driven by changes in doctrine and tactics over time. When the United States entered World War One, the Army was quick to incorporate armor into its ranks. As American armor developed, it was hampered by narrow visions of the purpose of armor on the battlefield. Armor was thought to only be useful in close infantry support and pursuit missions. During the interwar years the focus of development was on light and maneuverable tanks. It was not until World War Two that tank tactics matured. The war proved that armor was an essential part of any modern military. Tank on tank tactics were refined. With this came the need to destroy enemy tanks with one accurate shot. This became the focus of tank development toward the end of World War Two and has prevailed to this day. The war also drove the shift from producing many specialized tanks to producing a single multipurpose tank. Tanks became heavier and more powerful in an effort to design an invincible tank that could dominate the battlefield. The main battle tanks of today are a testament to the changes that the United States military has gone through since World War One.