Armored Combat Weapons Research Paper

Armored combat vehicles are vehicles used during war that combine mobility with tactical offensive and defensive capabilities. They are heavily armed, armored and can be either wheeled or tracked depending on the combat environment. Armored cars, tanks, mobile artillery, and personnel carriers are all examples of modern armored combat vehicles but the concept of a highly mobile, armored fighting unit has been around for centuries. War elephants, chariots, and armored horses had been used for centuries to maximize the mobility and survivability of soldiers. It was not until the invention of the internal combustion engine that armored combat vehicles fully came to fruition. British inventor F.R. Simms designed and built the first modern combat

During World War II, significant advances were made to the weapons systems including the addition of a turret drive which gave the main gun the ability to turn 360°. Since WW2, the onboard weapons have continued to increase in firepower, range, and accuracy. The armor has also continued to improve through the use of stronger and more resilient materials. The engines and transmission have had to be continually upgraded to accommodate the increased weight and provide better speed and maneuverability on a variety of terrain. The United States most advanced vehicle is currently the M1 Abrams as its main combat vehicle and is shown in Figure 3. Its main armament is provided by a 120mm gun delivering both armor piercing and high explosive rounds. The Abrams uses a gas turbine engine to generate the 1500 horsepower needed for the desired high speeds and maneuverability. The Abrams uses a composite armor that provides significant protection for the crew and also employs a camouflage system that provides concealment against visual, infrared, thermal infrared and broad-band radar detection. It is currently one of the most advanced combat vehicles in the world.

During the design and development of these vehicles, engineers face numerous technical and ethical issues. The ethical issues include the moral dilemma of designing products that will be used to kill people but protect others. They have a duty to their country and the company they work for. There are time when the corporate body will want to rush development to start production even if the design is not ready. This creates the issue of corporate pressure vs. the safety of the soldier. Each of these ethical issues has their own effect on the engineers who face them.