Editing Armored car (military) (section)

==Military use==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2015}}
{{See also|List of military armored cars}}

A military armored car is a type of [[armored fighting vehicle]] having [[wheel]]s (from four to ten large, off-road wheels) instead of [[Caterpillar track|tracks]], and usually light [[vehicle armor|armor]]. Armored cars are typically less expensive and on roads have better speed and range than tracked military vehicles. They do however have less mobility as they have less off-road capabilities because of the higher ground pressure. They also have less obstacle climbing capabilities than tracked vehicles. Wheels are more vulnerable to enemy fire than tracks, they have a higher signature and in most cases less armor than comparable tracked vehicles. As a result, they are not intended for heavy fighting; their normal use is for [[reconnaissance]], command, control, and communications, or for use against lightly armed insurgents or rioters. Only some are intended to enter close combat, often accompanying convoys to protect [[soft-skinned vehicle]].

Light armored cars, such as the British [[Ferret armoured car|Ferret]] are armed with just a machine gun. Heavier vehicles are armed with [[autocannon]] or a large caliber gun. The heaviest armored cars, such as the German, World War II era [[Sd.Kfz. 234]] or the modern, US [[M1128 mobile gun system]], mount the same guns that arm medium tanks.

Armored cars are popular for peacekeeping or internal security duties. Their appearance is less confrontational and threatening than tanks, and their size and maneuverability is said to be more compatible with tight urban spaces designed for wheeled vehicles. However, they do have a larger turning radius compared to tracked vehicles which can turn on the spot and their tires are vulnerable and are less capable in climbing and crushing obstacles. Further, when there is true combat they are easily outgunned and lightly armored. The threatening appearance of a tank is often enough to keep an opponent from attacking, whereas a less threatening vehicle such as an armored car is more likely to be attacked.

Many modern forces now have their dedicated armored car designs, to exploit the advantages noted above. Examples would be the [[M1117 armored security vehicle]] of the USA or [[Alvis Saladin]] of the post-World War II era in the United Kingdom.

Alternatively, civilian vehicles may be modified into improvised armored cars in ''ad hoc'' fashion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cybertruck|first=Kadyrov-adapted|title=Tesla vehicle in Associated Press report|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-chechnya-kadyrov-cybertruck-musk-33b123d4bd7fe0036e80952026a54a74}}</ref> Many militias and irregular forces adapt civilian vehicles into AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and troop carriers, and in some regional conflicts these [[technical (fighting vehicle)|"technicals"]] are the only combat vehicles present. On occasion, even the soldiers of national militaries are forced to adapt their [[Gun truck|civilian-type vehicles]] for combat use, often using [[Improvised vehicle armour|improvised armor]] and scrounged weapons.

=== Scout cars ===
{{main|Scout car}}

In the 1930s, a new sub-class of armored car emerged in the United States, known as the ''scout car''. This was a compact light armored car which was either unarmed or armed only with machine guns for self-defense.<ref name=Green>{{cite book|last=Green|first=Michael|title=Allied Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Second World War|date=2017|page=17|publisher=Pen & Sword Military Press|location=Barnsley|isbn=978-1473872370}}</ref> Scout cars were designed as purpose-built reconnaissance vehicles for passive observation and intelligence gathering.<ref name=Green/> Armored cars which carried large caliber, turreted weapons systems were not considered scout cars.<ref name=Green/> The concept gained popularity worldwide during [[World War II]] and was especially favored in nations where reconnaissance theory emphasized passive observation over combat.<ref name="Knox1">{{cite journal| last =  Van Oosbree| first = Gerard| title = Dutch and Germans Agree to Build "Fennek" Light Reconnaissance Vehicle| journal = [[Armor magazine]]| page = 34| publisher = US Army Armor Center| location = Fort Knox, Kentucky| date = July–August 1999}}</ref>

Examples of armored cars also classified as scout cars include the Soviet [[BRDM|BRDM series]], the British [[Ferret armoured car|Ferret]], the Brazilian [[EE-3 Jararaca]], the Hungarian [[D-442 FÚG]], and the American [[Cadillac Gage Commando Scout]].<ref name="Compendium">{{cite book | last = Chant |first =Christopher | title = A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware | location = New York | publisher = Routledge & Kegan Paul | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-7102-0720-4 | oclc = 14965544 | pages = 28–38 }}</ref>