NASA were familiar with this type of vehicle, already having four M113s in use as ‘ Armoured Rescuers‘. The ideal vehicle for the program was the M113-based M577A3 Command Post variant, as it was available, cheap, and provided plenty of internal space. Protected from fire, debris, and even explosions, and able to access remote or dangerous sites and still provide enough internal space for a crew and equipment. The concept would need a large simple vehicle on which to be mounted. Particularly, this system was seen as being of potential value to a cleanup response for a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incident, whether accidental or the result of a criminal act. NASA had worked together with the Ames Research Center on a specialist suit portal for the NASA-Langley DOE Lunar Rover with the design having potential applications not just in space, but on Earth too. The modern battlefield shows no signs of this changing soon, with the development of tanks continuing to adapt to it.United States of America/NASA (1994-1997) Modern Era – Are Tanks Still Relevant?: Despite numerous prophets heralding the demise of the tank, armor is still an important part of all the world’s militaries. Although the USA and USSR never fought each other directly, almost all proxy wars of the period saw extensive usage of their tanks. World War Two would change these perceptions, and see tanks used in unprecedented numbers across all theaters of war.Ĭold War – East vs West: In a period dominated by nuclear weapons, two opposing superpowers led to the splitting of the world into East and West. Even so, many were unconvinced by this new weapon of war. WW2 – The Tank Goes Global: The Interwar period saw the tank go on a worldwide tour, from Bolivia to China, every corner of the globe and all seven continents felt the tread of heavy armor. Soon after its introduction, the tank quickly became a killing machine integrated into combined arms operations. However, many pioneers had envisioned the use of armored vehicles in the decades prior to the Great War. WW1 – Mud, Barbed Wire, and Trenches: The United Kingdom and France started development of tanks in order to break through enemy lines. If you feel something is missing, please add it to our Public Suggestion List.

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