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The M24 Chaffee, an American light tank used during the later part of World War II, and several subsequent conflicts
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History of the tank
Era
World War I
Interwar
World War II
Cold War
Post–Cold War
Country
Australia
United Kingdom
Cuba
China
Canada
New Zealand
Czechoslovakia
France
Germany
Iran
Iraq
Italy
Israel
Japan
Poland
North Korea
South Korea
Soviet Union
Spain
Sweden
United States
Ukraine
Type
Light tank
Medium tank
Heavy tank
Super-heavy tank
Cruiser tank
Flame tank
Infantry tank
Main battle tank
Tank destroyer
Tankette
Assault gun
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
Self-propelled artillery
Self-propelled mortar
Multiple rocket launcher
A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. It is smaller in size with thinner armor and a less powerful main gun, tailored for better tactical mobility and ease of transport and logistics. They are primarily employed in the screening, armored reconnaissance, skirmishing, artillery observation, and supplementing landing operations in a fire support role of expeditionary forces where larger, heavier tanks are unavailable or have difficulties operating safely or efficiently.
The fast light tank was a major feature of the pre–World War II army buildup, where it was expected they would be used to exploit breakthroughs in enemy lines created by slower, heavier tanks, with the goal of disrupting communications and supply lines. Numerous small tank designs and "tankettes" were developed during this period and known under a variety of names, including the "combat car".
Early light tank designs were generally better armed and armored than armored cars, but used tracks in order to provide better cross-country mobility. The light tank has been one of the few tank variants to survive the development of the main battle tank—in which technological advancements have rendered all previous weight variants obsolete—and has seen use in a variety of roles including the support of light airborne or amphibious forces and reconnaissance. Modified IFVs are assuming these roles in many militaries due to their immediate availability, and as a cheaper versatile alternative to developing and fielding a pure light tank.
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