Question about modern tank warfare

What is the role of MBT in modern warfare? Do they fight in mass formations or loss formations? Are they able to move while firing? How does the aiming system work?

Thanks

 

I am going to say that the main purpose of a battle tank is to break through the enemies front line while at the same time destroying pillboxes, bunkers other tanks etc. so the infantry can move in and they can fire while on the move....

 

I'm not 100% sure what their role is or how they fight, but I can tell you yes, they can fire while moving (if you're talking about MBT such as the Abrams, Challenger 2, Leopard 2 etc). As for what they use for an aiming system, they have a laser range finder to aim and shoot.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m1-intro.htm
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/leopard/

 

How much is the modern tank limited by terrain. i.e. what is the worst terrain in which it can operate?

 

THE BEST TERRAIN FOR TANKS WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN TERRAIN. THEY ARE AT THEIR BEST IN OPEN FIELDS AND ROLLING HILLS, AND THE DESSERT. TANKS NOW EVEN WITH ALL THEIR MODERN STUFF STILL HAVE THE SAME LIMITS AS THE TANKS OF WW2. NOT GOOD IN WATER, SWAMPS, MOUNTAINS WITH LIMITED ROAD ACCESS, OR REALLY THICK WOODS OR JUNGLES. THAT IS WHY WE WILL ALWAYS NEED FOOT SOLDIERS.

 

Tanks will fight in various formations depending upon their role at the moment -and the enemy formation being faced.

They will operate in large formations in open country against either mobile or dug in opponents -the role of "armoured spearhead" of an attacking juggernaut is not over -but a troop of tanks can still be assigned in support of an infantry company attacking a small strongpoint.

They can fire accurately on the move because their guns are "gyro-stabilized" and will pretty much stay aimed at whatever they are initially aimed at -with minor corrections as necessary being provided by the gunner's inputs. Because laser ranging makes the range always correct a "first round hit" is often achieveable.

Unfortunately their armour protection means major weight -often in the area of 60 tons -so they won't swim -and do poorly in swamps. Forests are a major obstacle -a tank can easily take down a tree or two -but a host of them can be a show-stopper.

Unfortunately also the advent of shaped charge weapons means that any infantryman can carry a tank-killing weapon -and in fact tanks need infantrymen to accompany them to fend off this threat. Also long range wire or laser or even optically guided missiles also make them vulnerable.

There is no perfect weapon -but for sure tanks will be found on the battlefield for many years to come.

Jock Williams Yogi 13