Editing Tank (section)

====Research and development====
[[File:XM1202 MCS.jpg|thumb|left|Graphic representation of the US Army's cancelled [[Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles#XM1202 Mounted Combat System|XM1202 Mounted Combat System]]]]

In terms of firepower, the focus of 2010s-era [[Research and development|R&D]] was increased detection capability such as [[Thermography|thermal imagers]], automated fire control systems for the guns and increased [[muzzle energy]] from the gun to improve range, accuracy and armour penetration.<ref>{{Citation | last = Pengelley | first = Rupert | title = A new era in tank man armament: The options multiply | journal = Jane's International Defence Review | issue = November 1989 | pages = 1521–31 | year = 1989}}</ref> The most mature future gun technology is the [[Electrothermal-chemical technology|electrothermal-chemical]] gun.<ref>Hilmes, Rolf (30 January 1999), "Aspects of future MBT conception". ''Military Technology'' '''23''' (6): 7. Moench Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh.</ref> The [[XM291]] electrothermal-chemical tank gun has gone through successful multiple firing sequences on a modified American [[M8 Armored Gun System]] chassis.<ref>{{Citation| last = Goodell | first = Brad |title = Electrothermal Chemical (ETC) Armament System Integration Into a Combat Vehicle |journal = IEEE Transactions on Magnetics | volume = 43 | issue = 1 | pages = 456–459 | publisher = IEEE |date=January 2007| doi = 10.1109/TMAG.2006.887524| bibcode = 2007ITM....43..456G | s2cid = 35796526 |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4033055| issn=0018-9464 }}</ref> To improve tank protection, one field of research involves making the tank invisible to radar by adapting [[Stealth technology|stealth]] technologies originally designed for aircraft. Improvements to [[camouflage]] or and attempts to render it invisible through [[active camouflage]], which changes according to where the tank is located, are being pursued. Research is also ongoing in [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] armour systems to disperse or deflect incoming [[hollow charge|shaped charges]],<ref>{{Citation| last = Wickert | first = Matthias | title = Electric armour Against Shaped Charges: Analysis of Jet Distortion With Respect to Jet Dynamics and Current Flow| journal = IEEE Transactions on Magnetics| volume = 43| issue = 1| pages = 426–29 | publisher = IEEE|date=January 2007| doi = 10.1109/TMAG.2006.887650| bibcode = 2007ITM....43..426W | s2cid = 12106623}}</ref><ref>Xiaopeng, Li, et al., ''Multiprojectile Active Electromagnetic armour'', pp. 460–62</ref> as well as various forms of [[active protection system]]s to prevent incoming projectiles (RPGs, missiles, etc.) from striking the tank.

Mobility may be enhanced in future tanks by the use of [[diesel–electric powertrain|diesel–electric]] or turbine–electric [[series hybrid]] drives—first used in a primitive, gasoline-engined form with Porsche's ''[[Elefant]]'' German tank destroyer of 1943—improving fuel efficiency while reducing the size and weight of the power plant.<ref>''Electric/Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicles for Military Applications'', pp. 132–44</ref> Furthermore, advances in gas turbine technology, including the use of advanced [[recuperator]]s,<ref>McDonald, Colin F., ''Gas Turbine Recuperator Renaissance'', pp. 1–30</ref> have allowed for reduction in engine volume and mass to less than 1 m<sup>3</sup> and 1 metric ton, respectively, while maintaining fuel efficiency similar to that of a diesel engine.<ref>Koschier, Angelo V. and Mauch, Hagen R., ''Advantages of the LV100 as a Power Producer in a Hybrid Propulsion System for Future Fighting Vehicles,'' p. 697</ref> In line with the new doctrine of [[network-centric warfare]], the 2010s-era modern battle tank shows increasing sophistication in its electronics and communication systems. The future of tanks has been challenged by the proliferation of relatively inexpensive anti tank guided missiles and rockets during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tanks-could-grow-obsolete-russia-ukraine-war-shows-2022-3?r=US&IR=T|title=Ukraine has destroyed nearly 10% of Russia's tanks, making experts ask: Are tanks over?|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=March 23, 2022}}</ref>