Combat vehicle

They differ from non-combat military vehicles such as trucks in that they are designed for use in active combat zones, to be used in mechanized warfare and mobile infantry roles.

For much of history, most soldiers not fighting on foot (e.g. cavalry) used military animals such as horses or elephants, as land vehicles for the most part did not exist.

In ancient warfare, chariots were used as "battle taxis" and mobile archery platforms during the Bronze and Iron ages.

However, weaponry was not installed on the vehicle, relying on the soldier's carried weapon for armament, and armor was effectively limited to a shield and the thin structure of the chariot, if those were even available or sufficient.

With the invention of the automobile, combat vehicles took varying forms, ranging from the lightly armored passenger cars of the World War I era to the widely fielded Willys MB of World War II, along with a wide variety of other combat vehicles such as half-tracks and multiple classifications of tanks.

Enhancements to automation can help achieve operational effectiveness with a smaller, more economical, combat vehicle force.

Halon remains necessary for crew compartment fire suppression due to space and weight constraints, and toxicity concerns.

Wheeled combat vehicles offer improved logistical mobility and optimized speeds on smooth terrain.

Some combat vehicles may also carry anti-armor or anti-vehicle weaponry such as autocannons or anti-tank guided missiles.

Most combat vehicles are not optimized for destroying non-traditional targets such as car bombs, though many may be designed to be resistant to explosives.