The experience of the Second World War has clearly shown that the role of the airborne forces will only grow in the future. Large-scale amphibious operations of the Allies and Germany during the conflict clearly proved the viability of this tactical technique. As a result, after the end of World War II, all countries began to develop tiny tanks that could even be thrown out of an aircraft. Here are some of the more interesting ones.
1. ELC AMX
This combat vehicle was created in France in the early 1950s as part of the Ministry of Defense's program for the development of the airborne forces. The command submitted a request for the creation of a light tank destroyer that could be dropped from an aircraft and used on the field to support the landing.
A total of two prototypes of the Engin Léger de Combat were made. The installation never went into production. The machine weighed 6 tons. The fighter's crew consisted of 2 people. The installation was armed with a 90-mm D914 cannon and had light bulletproof armor. In addition, a prototype with a recoilless gun was created.
2. M551 Sheridan
In the United States of America, the M551 Sheridan light tank was created at the same time. Unlike its French counterpart, the M551 produced 1,700 units. The car even managed to visit several hot spots, but in the end it turned out that the very idea of such a design has many serious flaws. As a result, in 1978 they decided to abandon the 551st.
The tank was armed with a 152-mm M81 cannon and had steel (on the turret) and aluminum armor (on the hull). The crew of the car consisted of 4 people. Combat weight "Sheridan" reached 15.2 tons. At the same time, the tank could be delivered by plane directly to the battlefield.
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3. FV101 Scorpion
Its own airborne tank appeared in 1974 in the UK. Of all the analogues, the FV101 Scorpion is perhaps the most successful example. Used "Scorpion" to this day, though since 2000 is no longer produced. The exploiting country is also Belgium. The car has been modernized several times during its existence.
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FV101 Scorpion is armed with a 90mm L23A1 cannon. All armor of the combat vehicle is aluminum for maximum weight reduction. The unit weighs 6 tons and can be delivered to the combat zone by airborne assault.
And also: ASU-57
The Soviet Union also had its own airborne tanks and self-propelled guns. Suffice it to recall the ACS-57 of the 1950s. The machine was created as a means of supporting the airborne troops and was used from 1950-1962. Subsequently, all ACS models will be replaced in the Airborne Forces with BMP and BMD-1 vehicles.
The 57th gun was armed with a 57mm Ch-51 cannon. The combat weight was only 3.35 tons. Crew - 3 people. The self-propelled guns had steel armor.
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should definitely read about will the universal amphibious assault ships succeed heavy aircraft carriers.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/030320/53648/