It was originally developed from the prototype T2 light tank built by the Rock Island Arsenal, which had a Vickers-type leaf spring suspension.

The Spanish Civil War showed that tanks armed only with machine guns were ineffective.

The T2 concept, starting five years later, incorporated several design lessons from the T1, but used a new suspension system copied from the British Vickers six-ton tank.

Through the 1920s a number of theorists outlined an independent role for the tank that required it to move at high speed into the rear areas, a modern version of the cavalry.

These early twin-turret tanks were given the nickname "Mae West" by the troops, after the popular busty movie star.

The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers.

[7] Further refinements to the M2A2 produced the A3 model, which incorporated a modified suspension system that reduced the tank's ground pressure.

14844 directed that a single M2A3 be removed from the assembly line and modified with heavier armor and weapons, to meet the standards of the U.S.

[13] The Ordnance Department viewed the M2A4 as a stopgap tank; work to improve it further began in June 1940.

[14] The first M3 Stuart tanks began to be produced in March 1941; the original riveted M3s closely resembled the M2A4, and the two types occasionally served in the same units; an easy recognition feature was the rear idler wheel.

[7] The M3 retained the same Continental W-670 engine, but incorporated ½-inch thicker (1½ inch total thickness) armor;[16] with weight increased to 14 tons.

In defensive engagements, the M2A4s and Stuarts would deploy in pairs, so they could cover each other with machine gun fire against Japanese soldiers armed with satchel charges.

[21] Following the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, A Company returned to Australia, where the M2A4s were replaced with the new M4 Shermans in preparation for the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943.

These machine guns were fired by the driver; they were aimed by pointing the entire tank at the desired target.

It had a vertical volute spring suspension and had a speed of 36 mph (58 km/h), and had a range of 200 mi (320 km).