Top Ten War Machines

For those who do not know my father is a retired Army officer and I’ve been up and close with many of the Indian warfares. Since my childhood I am interested in Guns, Infantry vehicles, Choppers etc, but the technology behind the making of an invincible Military is what interests me more. If we see Future Weapons series on the Discovery channel, we’ll see how much has science penetrated into the armor of Military building. Countries spending billions of dollars to upgrade their defence forces, to make them more and more competent and efficient either by buying the technologies(countries like India) or by investing it in the research and development of defence(countries like United States of America, China).

This is my first post about my first interest….The Defence Forces

In the following category I present to you the top ten machines that made their masters demolish their enemies.

Category I

Infantry fighting vehicles

During the last century, whilst tanks slugged it out from a distance, the armored infantry fighting vehicles were the ones that delivered the troops to the center of the combat zone, and helped to win the battle.

These are the best of the best. These are the top ten infantry fighting vehicles.

10. Humvee

When the call went out to develop a vehicle to replace the much-loved and ubiquitous jeep, the winning design had to be exceptional. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, first appeared in 1980 and a contract was awarded to makers AM General for nearly 60,000 vehicles. This figure has now risen to over 160,000, with Humvees sold to more than 36 countries.

Its low center of gravity and strong frame make the Humvee a very dependable transport in over 12 different configurations. From armored carrier to special operations, from missile platform to recoilless rifle vehicle, this amazing fighting vehicle is fast making a reputation for itself.

The Humvee’s ability to carry eight troops plus crew, top speed of over 65 mph and .50-caliber machine gun further strengthen that reputation. Its all-terrain capability is global, with the U.S. Army using the Humvee for operations in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Though the Humvee has been criticized by some for its vulnerability, the sheer usefulness of this vehicle has led to its service in situations that normally call for much more heavily armed and armored vehicles.

9. LVT MK-4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked)

Known as amphibious tractors, or amtracks for short, the LVTs were the backbone of all the Marine landings during the long and bloody campaign of the Pacific War. Introduced in 1944, the innovative LVT MK-4 had a rear door so that either a jeep or gun could be unloaded. This new door also saved the lives of countless Marines, as they did not have to clamber over the side as in previous LVTs.

With its powerful 75-mm howitzer, the LVT MK-4 could deliver a hail of fire to protect its 30 disembarking troops. Also, it did not have to stop at the water’s edge. Propelled by tracks instead of a propeller, this LVT was just as at home on water, sand or jungle mud as it was on hard roads or grass. It was also used by the British forces in river crossings, particularly the Rhine, during the war in Europe.

So respected was the LVT, that Navy leader Vice Adm. Edward L. Cochrane wrote: “There is not the slightest shadow of doubt that the overwhelming victories of our forces at Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima would not have been possible without the Amtracks.”

8. M-3 Halftrack

Inspired by a 1931 French design, the U.S. Army started work on a halftrack in 1938 and the basic M-3 design went into production in 1941. Used throughout the Army, the M-3 was an essential part of the armored divisions — each motorized infantry battalion had approximately 62.

By the end of World War II, more than 40,000 M-3 halftracks had been produced in a wide variety of configurations, including personnel carrier, artillery tractor and communications vehicle. Because of the drive to its front axle, the M-3 was easier to maneuver than its counterpart, the German Sd.Kfz. 251. However, it lacked all-terrain usage and the ability to carry troops.

The M-3 served around the world during World War II, as well as for many years afterward. Although production stopped in 1945, the M-3 was still going into combat with the Israeli Defense Force in the 1980s.

7. Universal Bren Gun Carrier

The British Universal Carrier, or Bren Carrier as it was popularly known, was the most widely used of all armored fighting vehicles during World War II. Able to carry between four and 14 troops, the Bren Carrier came in several versions, including machine gun, flamethrower, mortar platform, troop carrier, medi-vac and gun tractor. It was also capable of being glider borne and airlifted with a 6-pound anti-tank gun.

From the battlefields of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, this vehicle was involved in every theater of action during World War II. Many of these carriers were captured by the Germans, who modified them to carry a 37-mm anti-tank gun and called them Panzerjaeger Bren. In fact, the Bren was the only carrier used by soldiers from every nation involved in the conflict of 1939-45. With a service record second to none, and with more than 200,000 built, this World War II vehicle richly deserves its accolades.

6. BMP-1

Once the armored personnel carrier had shown its worth in World War II, wheeled and tracked vehicles entered service with all the world’s armies. The Soviet Red Army was the first to move the idea of a personnel carrier forward so that infantrymen would be able to fight from it, rather than have to dismount and lose the protection of the vehicle’s armor.

The first sight the West had of the brand-new vehicle was at a parade in Red Square in 1967. The Bronevaya Maschina Piekhota (BMP-1) had firing ports and vision blocks to enable its passengers to fire from within the vehicle. It also featured an automatic loading 73-mm turret-mounted gun firing fin-stabilized HEAT missiles. The BMP was amphibious, propelled though the water by its tracks.

Though the BMP revolutionized armored warfare, it was not without drawbacks. The armor was thin and the low silhouette made it cramped for crew and passengers, but it was still used by many of the worlds’ armies. Its successor, the BMP-2, has been made in large numbers and seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.

5. Sd.Kfz. 251

When Nazi Germany began developing its new theory of blitzkrieg in the 1930s, it became obvious that its infantry and artillery would need a new type of cross-country vehicle if they were to keep up with the tanks of the Panzer divisions. The result was one of the most important fighting vehicles of its time — the halftrack.

First issued in 1938, the Sd.Kfz. 251 halftracks proved their worth during the fighting in Poland and showed that they were the ideal partners for the fast-moving German armor. Used initially as either armored personnel carriers or towing vehicles for artillery, the halftracks soon took on many other roles – such as anti-tank, anti-aircraft vehicle, ambulance, command vehicle and even a rocket launcher variant known as the “infantry Stuka” or “howling cow.”

The halftracks’ outstanding cross-country ability was due to the unique sophisticated track system, though the lack of power to the front wheels made them harder to maneuver than their American equivalent. Employed in every major battle fought by the German army in World War II, the Sd.Kfz. 251 was constantly in demand. It was kept in service for another 10 years after the war by the Czech army.

4. Stryker

The Stryker is the first new armored vehicle to be introduced into U.S. Army service since 1980. This versatile warrior can be used as either an infantry carrier or mobile gun system armed with a 105-mm cannon.

With a top speed of 62 mph and the ability to carry nine troops plus crew, this all-terrain vehicle provides both a highly mobile troop transport and a powerful gun in the fluid combat environment of the war against terror.

With the ability to be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules, the Stryker can reach a combat zone much faster than the weighty Abrams tank, which has been criticized for being too heavy and unable to cope with off-road situations. The Stryker has seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 2,400 have been contracted to be built.

3. MCV-80 Warrior

The British MCV-80 Warrior, like the U.S. Bradley, reflected a change in the philosophy of armored personnel carrier design that had come about when the Soviet BMP-1 was introduced. APCs were now infantry fighting vehicles, capable of giving fire support and engaging enemy vehicles.

During the recent Iraqi conflict, a Warrior demonstrated its ability to take punishment when, caught in a fierce firefight, its driver managed to get the vehicle out of harm’s way and save the lives of his badly wounded troops. For this action the driver was awarded Britain’s highest military honor, the Victoria Cross.

Self-contained, the Warrior carries sufficient stores and equipment to fight on the battlefield for a sustained period of 48 hours, plus a range of 410 miles, a speed of 47 mph and a 7.62 chain gun. The Warrior earns huge praise from all that have fought with, and against, it. This tough APC is now the standard vehicle of the British armed forces.

2. M-2 Bradley

The shortcomings of armored personnel carriers as battlefield vehicles – thin armor and limited firepower — led to the concept of the infantry-fighting vehicle in the late 1960s. Rather than simply carry an infantry squad to the battlefield, where they would dismount to fight, the IFV would enable infantrymen to fire their weapons from within the vehicle and engage targets while still protected behind armor.

Derived from Soviet and German designs, the Bradley IFV went into production in 1981. With laminate spaced armor on top of an aluminum hull, the M-2 provides greater protection for its passengers than the M-113. The Bradley also has greater firepower available in the form of a 25-mm chain gun that can fire depleted uranium rounds. This powerful weapon knocked out more Iraqi armor during Operation Desert Storm than the 120-mm guns of the Abrams tank and is on the U.S. Army’s books for the foreseeable future.

1. M-113

After World War II had shown the need for an armored personnel carrier for infantry, it became obvious that a fully tracked vehicle would offer the best combination of speed and all-terrain mobility. The M-113 went into production in the early 1960s.

With the ability to carry 10 troops plus crew, an all-terrain speed of 40 mph and a range of 300 miles, it was an immediate winner. Since then over 80,000 have been built, and the M-113 has been exported to nearly 50 countries. Amphibious and air portable, the M-113 has been used in combat in Vietnam, the Middle East and Iraq.

Besides fulfilling its basic personnel carrier role, the vehicle has served as a mortar carrier, command, anti-aircraft and flamethrower vehicle. The M-113 is still going strong and will probably be one of the most widely used armored vehicles ever built.

Category II

Combat Rifles

The combat rifle is the soldier’s closest companion. Despite the revolution in battlefield tactics over the past century, it is still the mainstay of every modern army in the world.

Now meet the best of the best, these are the top ten combat rifles of all time.

10.  M14

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle

Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,799 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 700-750 rounds per minute

By the end of World War II, with an American infantry platoon carrying as many as four different weapons — and four types of ammo — the U.S. Army decided to develop a single weapon that could fulfill multiple roles. The result was the M14. First fielded in 1957, the rugged, accurate new rifle had plenty of stopping power with the standard NATO 7.62 mm round. It first saw major action in Vietnam, where soldiers liked its performance but struggled with the weight of both gun and ammunition. Before long it was phased out in favor of the lighter M16, but a few frontline units still use the classic weapon, primarily as a sniper rifle..

9.  STURMGEWEHR 44

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Germany

Caliber: 7.92 x 33 mm

Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,133 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute

The Wehrmacht hadn’t been at war with the Soviet Union for long when it became clear that German infantry with their bolt-action Mausers were often at a disadvantage in firefights with Russian automatic weapons. In response, German armament developers came up with a revolutionary new weapon: the first “assault rifle” (the literal translation of the German Sturmgewehr). The key to its success was a shorter 7.92 mm round that allowed for effective automatic fire and permitted soldiers to carry sufficient ammunition. The Sturmgewehr came too late to play a significant role in World War II, but it wins high marks for innovation.

8. 1903 SPRINGFIELD

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 10 rounds per minute

The relatively poor performance of the Norwegian Krag-Jorgensen rifle used by U.S. troops in the Spanish-American War led American planners to look elsewhere for a standard infantry weapon. They “borrowed” the more effective action found on the German 7mm Mauser, added a few modifications, and produced a magazine-fed rifle that boasted phenomenal accuracy. The 1903 quickly gained a reputation as an outstandingly accurate and powerful firearm — at the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, U.S. Marines armed with Springfields cut down enemy counterattacks from 700 to 800 yards away. The rifle continued in service through World War II and Korea and even saw combat as a sniper rifle in Vietnam.

7. STEYR AUG

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Bull-Pup Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Austria

Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.22 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 30 and 42 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,084 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Looking more like a weapon from a science-fiction movie, the Steyr’s only serious “flaw” is the advanced design that seemed to scare away potential customers after its introduction in 1977. In this radically new “bull-pup” configuration most of the barrel, receiver and action, instead of being in front of the operator’s firing hand, is all moved back in the stock, resulting in a remarkably compact weapon that is light and easy to handle. The Steyr also features an interchangeable barrel system, a transparent magazine, and optional left or right shell ejection capability.

6. MAUSER K98k CARBINE

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: Germany

Caliber: 7.92 x 57 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,822 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 10-15 rounds per minute

First produced at the end of the 19th century, the Mauser 98 was the perfect synthesis of the many innovations that rifles had undergone during the late 19th century: smokeless powder, clips that could be fed into magazines and, most of all, its superb bolt action that is still the basis for most modern hunting rifles. The original model 98 was used during World War I to great effect, but when Germany started rearming in the 1930s the rifle received upgrades that made it lighter and easier to sight and shoot. Inevitably outgunned by automatic weapons, the Mauser nevertheless stands as one of the legendary rifles of the modern age.

5. FN FAL

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle

Country of Origin: Belgium

Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 20 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

Inspired by the Sturmgewehr 44, the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) originally developed the FAL around the same intermediate round used by the German gun, but when NATO issued the requirement for the longer 7.62 mm, FN altered the design and created a heavy hitter that packs a punch — and a potent kick. The FAL soon became one of the classic weapons of the Cold War, used by over 50 countries, even if it proved tough to handle in full auto mode. The rifle gave good service to the Australian army in the jungles of Vietnam, to Israeli troops during the Six-Day War and was used by both sides in the fight for the Falkland Islands.

4. M1 GARAND

Type: Semiautomatic

Rifle Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 8 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,838 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 30 rounds per minute

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936, the M1 Garand proved to be a tough, heavy battle rifle when it entered combat five years later. General Patton remarked at the end of World War II that the M1 may have been the greatest battle implement ever devised. A bit of a stretch perhaps, but there’s no doubt that the M1 was the first successful semiautomatic rifle issued in any quantity that had the ruggedness and accuracy to dominate the battlefield. Over 6.25 million Garands had been manufactured by the time it was taken out of service in the early 1960s.

3. LEE-ENFIELD SMLE

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Caliber: 7.7 x 56 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 10 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,438 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 15-20 rounds per minute

The standard infantry weapon of British troops from World War I to the 1956 Suez crisis, the Lee-Enfield SMLE (pronounced “smelly”) built its reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire. Its magazine carried 10 bullets, the largest capacity of any rifle on the battlefield during the first half of the 20th century. Its short bolt action cocked on closing, and its muzzle cap prevented dirt from clogging the weapon. In the hands of a well-trained infantryman, the Lee-Enfield could perform what was called the “mad minute,” i.e., thirty rounds hitting a target 200 meters distant in one minute, a volume of fire that rivals modern semiautomatic weapons.

2. M16

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 20-30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,281 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 700-950 rounds per minute

Although it took a little time to work out the gun’s jamming problems during its combat trials in the early 1960s, the M16 has proven to be an outstanding performer with superb accuracy, handling, service length and combat effectiveness. The rifle fulfilled the U.S. military’s desire to develop a lightweight modern assault rifle that could replace the semiautomatic M1 and its selective-fire counterpart, the M14. Its innovative features include lighter metal alloy and plastic construction, a simple gas reload system and the use of 5.56 mm ammunition, allowing soldiers to carry twice the amount of ammunition for the same weight of 7.62 mm rounds.

1. AK-47

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Soviet Union

Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: 2,329 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 600 rounds per minute

With over 75 million built worldwide, the AK-47 (a.k.a., “Kalashnikov”) is a firearms legend that has probably inflicted more lethal results than any other single weapon system ever produced. Built on the same basic design as the German Sturmgewehr, it chambered an intermediate round and was built from stamped parts. The AK-47 was not only easy to produce and relatively cheap, is also proved remarkably easy to maintain and virtually immune to conditions that could easily take out other guns. Accuracy is average, but the Kalashnikov compensates for this with its ability to unleash a lethal wall of lead.

Category III

Submarines

Whether patiently stalking their prey in two World Wars or carrying devastating nuclear missiles as a deterrent in the Cold War, submarines have played an often unseen but crucial role in the conflicts of the 20th century.  I thought of putting them even though I am not a Navy supporter because they are one of the deadly creations of the modern warfare technology.

Find out which submarines ranked as the Top Ten Submarines of all time.

10. George Washington Class

By the grim logic of the Cold War, submarines armed with strategic nuclear missiles did much to keep the peace. Hidden under the ocean and extremely difficult to detect, the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was the perfect deterrent.

A potential adversary knew that even if a surprise nuclear attack wiped out land-based missiles and bombers before they were launched, the SSBNs (or “boomers”) would survive to retaliate.

The world’s first SSBN was the USS George Washington, first ordered in 1957 and commissioned in 1959. Earlier Soviet subs had carried nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, but they were diesel-powered boats with limited endurance.

The George Washington’s nuclear propulsion enabled it to remain underwater for months without surfacing. Each of the five boats in the George Washington Class carried 16 Polaris missiles, giving a single submarine the capability to devastate an opponent’s heartland.

9. Type XXI U-boat

The Allies were fortunate that the Type XXI U-boat arrived too late to see combat. Had it been deployed before the end of war, it could have had a devastating impact on the Battle of the Atlantic.

The Type XXI had numerous advanced features for its time, including high-capacity batteries that enabled it to remain underwater for days, a streamlined hull, and a snorkel to recharge the batteries while underwater. With an underwater speed of 17 knots, it could actually outrace most surface warships.

8. Typhoon Class

Soviet-built Typhoons are the largest submarines in the world, weighing in at 48,000 tons (a U.S. Ohio-class ballistic missile sub weighs less than 20,000 tons, while an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is only about 9,000 tons).

Despite its size, the six Typhoons that were built were surprisingly quiet and hard to detect. They carried 20 SS-N-20 (NATO code name “Sturgeon”) ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads, as well as anti-ship guided missiles and torpedoes. The boats featured multiple pressure hulls for greater strength.

7. Sentoku Class

A submarine that’s an aircraft carrier seems like mating a fish and an elephant, but that didn’t stop several navies from trying.

The Imperial Japanese Navy’s I-400 Sentoku Class boats of World War II were 6,500 tons, almost three times the size of U.S. Gato Class subs, and about the same displacement as a U.S. George Washington-class nuclear-powered missile sub from the early 1960s.

The three Sentoku boats each carried three torpedo-equipped M6A Seiran floatplanes that would be launched by catapult, and then ditch in the water upon their return.

6. X-Craft

While many of the most famous submarines were giants, at the other end of the sub spectrum were the midget submarines. Britain’s X-craft were used for special attack missions in heavily defended harbors that were impervious to conventional submarine attack.

Their most famous raid was in 1943, when X-craft damaged the German battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian harbor. The tiny 27-ton submarines were towed by larger boats to the target area, where they were cast off to make their way to the target. The crew would plant explosive charges before returning to the mother sub

5. USS Nautilus

The USS Nautilus was the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine.

Until the Nautilus, submarines were powered by diesel engines that could not be used underwater. Subs could either expose themselves on the surface when using their diesels, or run submerged on batteries that had limited power.

But a nuclear-powered submarine could spend its entire voyage submerged and hidden. In 1955, for her maiden voyage, the Nautilus traveled 1,100 nautical miles – the longest submerged cruise in history at that time.

4. T Class

Known also as the Triton Class, these boats formed the backbone of the British submarine force during World War II.

Displacing about 1,500 tons, T Class subs packed a heavy punch of 10 torpedo tubes. However, they all fired forward, compared to other subs that could fire torpedoes with both bow and stern tubes.

T-class boats exacted a heavy toll of Axis shipping supplying Rommel’s Afrika Korps, but suffered heavy losses in the narrow, shallow waters of the Mediterranean

3. Gato Class

American Gato Class submarines were the bane of Japanese merchant ships during World War II. Fast, well-armed and with good range, they were well-suited for the undersea war against Japan.

Gatos displaced about 1,500 tons, and were armed with six bow and four stern torpedo tubes. They could travel 20 knots on the surface and nearly 9 knots submerged.

2. Seawolf Class

At more than $4 billion apiece, Seawolf Class submarines were the most expensive in history. But they were designed for a mission that brooked no failure; stalk and destroy Soviet ballistic missile subs before they could launch their weapons.

Designed to be extremely fast and extremely quiet, the high price tag and diminished Soviet submarine threat with the end of the cold war caused the program to be cancelled after the first three boats were delivered.

One of them, the USS Jimmy Carter, has since been converted into a spy sub.

1. Type VII U-Boat

Perhaps the ultimate symbol of the deadly underwater predator, the Type VII U-boat may be the most famous submarine class in history.

It was also the most numerous, serving as the workhorse of the German submarine forces in World War II. At around 900 tons displacement, and armed with five torpedo tubes, the Type VII was smaller than the big American fleet boats, but it came perilously close to winning the Battle of the Atlantic.

But the cost was frightful; of 1,100 U-boats constructed in World War II – including 700 Type VII’s – more than 800 were lost. More than 75 percent of U-boat crewmen perished.

For those who do not know my father is a retired Army officer and I’ve been up and close with many of the Indian warfares. Since my childhood I am interested in Guns, Infantry vehicles, Choppers etc, but the technology behind the making of an invincible Military is what interests me more. If we see Future Weapons series on the Discovery channel, we’ll see how much has science penetrated into the armor of Military building. Countries spending billions of dollars to upgrade their defence forces, to make them more and more competent and efficient either by buying the technologies(countries like India) or by investing it in the research and development of defence(countries like United States of America, China).

This is my first post about my first Love….The Defence Forces

In the following category I present to you the top ten machines that made their masters demolish their enemies.

Category I

Infantry fighting vehicles

During the last century, whilst tanks slugged it out from a distance, the armored infantry fighting vehicles were the ones that delivered the troops to the center of the combat zone, and helped to win the battle.

These are the best of the best. These are the top ten infantry fighting vehicles.

10. Humvee

When the call went out to develop a vehicle to replace the much-loved and ubiquitous jeep, the winning design had to be exceptional. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, first appeared in 1980 and a contract was awarded to makers AM General for nearly 60,000 vehicles. This figure has now risen to over 160,000, with Humvees sold to more than 36 countries.

Its low center of gravity and strong frame make the Humvee a very dependable transport in over 12 different configurations. From armored carrier to special operations, from missile platform to recoilless rifle vehicle, this amazing fighting vehicle is fast making a reputation for itself.

The Humvee’s ability to carry eight troops plus crew, top speed of over 65 mph and .50-caliber machine gun further strengthen that reputation. Its all-terrain capability is global, with the U.S. Army using the Humvee for operations in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Though the Humvee has been criticized by some for its vulnerability, the sheer usefulness of this vehicle has led to its service in situations that normally call for much more heavily armed and armored vehicles.

9. LVT MK-4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked)

Known as amphibious tractors, or amtracks for short, the LVTs were the backbone of all the Marine landings during the long and bloody campaign of the Pacific War. Introduced in 1944, the innovative LVT MK-4 had a rear door so that either a jeep or gun could be unloaded. This new door also saved the lives of countless Marines, as they did not have to clamber over the side as in previous LVTs.

With its powerful 75-mm howitzer, the LVT MK-4 could deliver a hail of fire to protect its 30 disembarking troops. Also, it did not have to stop at the water’s edge. Propelled by tracks instead of a propeller, this LVT was just as at home on water, sand or jungle mud as it was on hard roads or grass. It was also used by the British forces in river crossings, particularly the Rhine, during the war in Europe.

So respected was the LVT, that Navy leader Vice Adm. Edward L. Cochrane wrote: “There is not the slightest shadow of doubt that the overwhelming victories of our forces at Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Palau and Iwo Jima would not have been possible without the Amtracks.”

8. M-3 Halftrack

Inspired by a 1931 French design, the U.S. Army started work on a halftrack in 1938 and the basic M-3 design went into production in 1941. Used throughout the Army, the M-3 was an essential part of the armored divisions — each motorized infantry battalion had approximately 62.

By the end of World War II, more than 40,000 M-3 halftracks had been produced in a wide variety of configurations, including personnel carrier, artillery tractor and communications vehicle. Because of the drive to its front axle, the M-3 was easier to maneuver than its counterpart, the German Sd.Kfz. 251. However, it lacked all-terrain usage and the ability to carry troops.

The M-3 served around the world during World War II, as well as for many years afterward. Although production stopped in 1945, the M-3 was still going into combat with the Israeli Defense Force in the 1980s.

7. Universal Bren Gun Carrier

The British Universal Carrier, or Bren Carrier as it was popularly known, was the most widely used of all armored fighting vehicles during World War II. Able to carry between four and 14 troops, the Bren Carrier came in several versions, including machine gun, flamethrower, mortar platform, troop carrier, medi-vac and gun tractor. It was also capable of being glider borne and airlifted with a 6-pound anti-tank gun.

From the battlefields of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, this vehicle was involved in every theater of action during World War II. Many of these carriers were captured by the Germans, who modified them to carry a 37-mm anti-tank gun and called them Panzerjaeger Bren. In fact, the Bren was the only carrier used by soldiers from every nation involved in the conflict of 1939-45. With a service record second to none, and with more than 200,000 built, this World War II vehicle richly deserves its accolades.

6. BMP-1

Once the armored personnel carrier had shown its worth in World War II, wheeled and tracked vehicles entered service with all the world’s armies. The Soviet Red Army was the first to move the idea of a personnel carrier forward so that infantrymen would be able to fight from it, rather than have to dismount and lose the protection of the vehicle’s armor.

The first sight the West had of the brand-new vehicle was at a parade in Red Square in 1967. The Bronevaya Maschina Piekhota (BMP-1) had firing ports and vision blocks to enable its passengers to fire from within the vehicle. It also featured an automatic loading 73-mm turret-mounted gun firing fin-stabilized HEAT missiles. The BMP was amphibious, propelled though the water by its tracks.

Though the BMP revolutionized armored warfare, it was not without drawbacks. The armor was thin and the low silhouette made it cramped for crew and passengers, but it was still used by many of the worlds’ armies. Its successor, the BMP-2, has been made in large numbers and seen combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.

5. Sd.Kfz. 251

When Nazi Germany began developing its new theory of blitzkrieg in the 1930s, it became obvious that its infantry and artillery would need a new type of cross-country vehicle if they were to keep up with the tanks of the Panzer divisions. The result was one of the most important fighting vehicles of its time — the halftrack.

First issued in 1938, the Sd.Kfz. 251 halftracks proved their worth during the fighting in Poland and showed that they were the ideal partners for the fast-moving German armor. Used initially as either armored personnel carriers or towing vehicles for artillery, the halftracks soon took on many other roles – such as anti-tank, anti-aircraft vehicle, ambulance, command vehicle and even a rocket launcher variant known as the “infantry Stuka” or “howling cow.”

The halftracks’ outstanding cross-country ability was due to the unique sophisticated track system, though the lack of power to the front wheels made them harder to maneuver than their American equivalent. Employed in every major battle fought by the German army in World War II, the Sd.Kfz. 251 was constantly in demand. It was kept in service for another 10 years after the war by the Czech army.

4. Stryker

The Stryker is the first new armored vehicle to be introduced into U.S. Army service since 1980. This versatile warrior can be used as either an infantry carrier or mobile gun system armed with a 105-mm cannon.

With a top speed of 62 mph and the ability to carry nine troops plus crew, this all-terrain vehicle provides both a highly mobile troop transport and a powerful gun in the fluid combat environment of the war against terror.

With the ability to be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules, the Stryker can reach a combat zone much faster than the weighty Abrams tank, which has been criticized for being too heavy and unable to cope with off-road situations. The Stryker has seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more than 2,400 have been contracted to be built.

3. MCV-80 Warrior

The British MCV-80 Warrior, like the U.S. Bradley, reflected a change in the philosophy of armored personnel carrier design that had come about when the Soviet BMP-1 was introduced. APCs were now infantry fighting vehicles, capable of giving fire support and engaging enemy vehicles.

During the recent Iraqi conflict, a Warrior demonstrated its ability to take punishment when, caught in a fierce firefight, its driver managed to get the vehicle out of harm’s way and save the lives of his badly wounded troops. For this action the driver was awarded Britain’s highest military honor, the Victoria Cross.

Self-contained, the Warrior carries sufficient stores and equipment to fight on the battlefield for a sustained period of 48 hours, plus a range of 410 miles, a speed of 47 mph and a 7.62 chain gun. The Warrior earns huge praise from all that have fought with, and against, it. This tough APC is now the standard vehicle of the British armed forces.

2. M-2 Bradley

The shortcomings of armored personnel carriers as battlefield vehicles – thin armor and limited firepower — led to the concept of the infantry-fighting vehicle in the late 1960s. Rather than simply carry an infantry squad to the battlefield, where they would dismount to fight, the IFV would enable infantrymen to fire their weapons from within the vehicle and engage targets while still protected behind armor.

Derived from Soviet and German designs, the Bradley IFV went into production in 1981. With laminate spaced armor on top of an aluminum hull, the M-2 provides greater protection for its passengers than the M-113. The Bradley also has greater firepower available in the form of a 25-mm chain gun that can fire depleted uranium rounds. This powerful weapon knocked out more Iraqi armor during Operation Desert Storm than the 120-mm guns of the Abrams tank and is on the U.S. Army’s books for the foreseeable future.

1. M-113

After World War II had shown the need for an armored personnel carrier for infantry, it became obvious that a fully tracked vehicle would offer the best combination of speed and all-terrain mobility. The M-113 went into production in the early 1960s.

With the ability to carry 10 troops plus crew, an all-terrain speed of 40 mph and a range of 300 miles, it was an immediate winner. Since then over 80,000 have been built, and the M-113 has been exported to nearly 50 countries. Amphibious and air portable, the M-113 has been used in combat in Vietnam, the Middle East and Iraq.

Besides fulfilling its basic personnel carrier role, the vehicle has served as a mortar carrier, command, anti-aircraft and flamethrower vehicle. The M-113 is still going strong and will probably be one of the most widely used armored vehicles ever built.

Category II

Combat Rifles

The combat rifle is the soldier’s closest companion. Despite the revolution in battlefield tactics over the past century, it is still the mainstay of every modern army in the world.

Now meet the best of the best, these are the top ten combat rifles of all time.

10. M14

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle

Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,799 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 700-750 rounds per minute

By the end of World War II, with an American infantry platoon carrying as many as four different weapons — and four types of ammo — the U.S. Army decided to develop a single weapon that could fulfill multiple roles. The result was the M14. First fielded in 1957, the rugged, accurate new rifle had plenty of stopping power with the standard NATO 7.62 mm round. It first saw major action in Vietnam, where soldiers liked its performance but struggled with the weight of both gun and ammunition. Before long it was phased out in favor of the lighter M16, but a few frontline units still use the classic weapon, primarily as a sniper rifle..

9. STURMGEWEHR 44

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Germany

Caliber: 7.92 x 33 mm

Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,133 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute

The Wehrmacht hadn’t been at war with the Soviet Union for long when it became clear that German infantry with their bolt-action Mausers were often at a disadvantage in firefights with Russian automatic weapons. In response, German armament developers came up with a revolutionary new weapon: the first “assault rifle” (the literal translation of the German Sturmgewehr). The key to its success was a shorter 7.92 mm round that allowed for effective automatic fire and permitted soldiers to carry sufficient ammunition. The Sturmgewehr came too late to play a significant role in World War II, but it wins high marks for innovation.

8. 1903 SPRINGFIELD

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 10 rounds per minute

The relatively poor performance of the Norwegian Krag-Jorgensen rifle used by U.S. troops in the Spanish-American War led American planners to look elsewhere for a standard infantry weapon. They “borrowed” the more effective action found on the German 7mm Mauser, added a few modifications, and produced a magazine-fed rifle that boasted phenomenal accuracy. The 1903 quickly gained a reputation as an outstandingly accurate and powerful firearm — at the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, U.S. Marines armed with Springfields cut down enemy counterattacks from 700 to 800 yards away. The rifle continued in service through World War II and Korea and even saw combat as a sniper rifle in Vietnam.

7. STEYR AUG

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Bull-Pup Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Austria

Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.22 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 30 and 42 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,084 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 650 rounds per minute

Looking more like a weapon from a science-fiction movie, the Steyr’s only serious “flaw” is the advanced design that seemed to scare away potential customers after its introduction in 1977. In this radically new “bull-pup” configuration most of the barrel, receiver and action, instead of being in front of the operator’s firing hand, is all moved back in the stock, resulting in a remarkably compact weapon that is light and easy to handle. The Steyr also features an interchangeable barrel system, a transparent magazine, and optional left or right shell ejection capability.

6. MAUSER K98k CARBINE

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: Germany

Caliber: 7.92 x 57 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 5 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,822 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 10-15 rounds per minute

First produced at the end of the 19th century, the Mauser 98 was the perfect synthesis of the many innovations that rifles had undergone during the late 19th century: smokeless powder, clips that could be fed into magazines and, most of all, its superb bolt action that is still the basis for most modern hunting rifles. The original model 98 was used during World War I to great effect, but when Germany started rearming in the 1930s the rifle received upgrades that made it lighter and easier to sight and shoot. Inevitably outgunned by automatic weapons, the Mauser nevertheless stands as one of the legendary rifles of the modern age.

5. FN FAL

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Rifle

Country of Origin: Belgium

Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 20 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,700 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

Inspired by the Sturmgewehr 44, the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) originally developed the FAL around the same intermediate round used by the German gun, but when NATO issued the requirement for the longer 7.62 mm, FN altered the design and created a heavy hitter that packs a punch — and a potent kick. The FAL soon became one of the classic weapons of the Cold War, used by over 50 countries, even if it proved tough to handle in full auto mode. The rifle gave good service to the Australian army in the jungles of Vietnam, to Israeli troops during the Six-Day War and was used by both sides in the fight for the Falkland Islands.

4. M1 GARAND

Type: Semiautomatic

Rifle Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 7.62 x 63 mm (.30-06 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 8 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 2,838 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 30 rounds per minute

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936, the M1 Garand proved to be a tough, heavy battle rifle when it entered combat five years later. General Patton remarked at the end of World War II that the M1 may have been the greatest battle implement ever devised. A bit of a stretch perhaps, but there’s no doubt that the M1 was the first successful semiautomatic rifle issued in any quantity that had the ruggedness and accuracy to dominate the battlefield. Over 6.25 million Garands had been manufactured by the time it was taken out of service in the early 1960s.

LEE-ENFIELD SMLE

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Caliber: 7.7 x 56 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 10 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: approximately 2,438 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 15-20 rounds per minute

The standard infantry weapon of British troops from World War I to the 1956 Suez crisis, the Lee-Enfield SMLE (pronounced “smelly”) built its reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire. Its magazine carried 10 bullets, the largest capacity of any rifle on the battlefield during the first half of the 20th century. Its short bolt action cocked on closing, and its muzzle cap prevented dirt from clogging the weapon. In the hands of a well-trained infantryman, the Lee-Enfield could perform what was called the “mad minute,” i.e., thirty rounds hitting a target 200 meters distant in one minute, a volume of fire that rivals modern semiautomatic weapons.

2. M16

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: United States

Caliber: 5.56 x 45 mm (.223 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 20-30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 3,281 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 700-950 rounds per minute

Although it took a little time to work out the gun’s jamming problems during its combat trials in the early 1960s, the M16 has proven to be an outstanding performer with superb accuracy, handling, service length and combat effectiveness. The rifle fulfilled the U.S. military’s desire to develop a lightweight modern assault rifle that could replace the semiautomatic M1 and its selective-fire counterpart, the M14. Its innovative features include lighter metal alloy and plastic construction, a simple gas reload system and the use of 5.56 mm ammunition, allowing soldiers to carry twice the amount of ammunition for the same weight of 7.62 mm rounds.

AK-47

1. AK-47

Type: Semi or Fully Automatic Assault Rifle

Country of Origin: Soviet Union

Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm (.30 inch)

Cartridge Capacity: 30 rounds

Muzzle Velocity: 2,329 feet per second

Rate of Fire: 600 rounds per minute

With over 75 million built worldwide, the AK-47 (a.k.a., “Kalashnikov”) is a firearms legend that has probably inflicted more lethal results than any other single weapon system ever produced. Built on the same basic design as the German Sturmgewehr, it chambered an intermediate round and was built from stamped parts. The AK-47 was not only easy to produce and relatively cheap, is also proved remarkably easy to maintain and virtually immune to conditions that could easily take out other guns. Accuracy is average, but the Kalashnikov compensates for this with its ability to unleash a lethal wall of lead.

Category III

Submarines

Whether patiently stalking their prey in two World Wars or carrying devastating nuclear missiles as a deterrent in the Cold War, submarines have played an often unseen but crucial role in the conflicts of the 20th century

. I thought of putting them even though I am not a Navy supporter because they are one of the deadly creations of the modern warfare technology.

Find out which submarines ranked as the Top Ten Submarines of all time.

10. George Washington Class

By the grim logic of the Cold War, submarines armed with strategic nuclear missiles did much to keep the peace. Hidden under the ocean and extremely difficult to detect, the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was the perfect deterrent.

A potential adversary knew that even if a surprise nuclear attack wiped out land-based missiles and bombers before they were launched, the SSBNs (or “boomers”) would survive to retaliate.

The world’s first SSBN was the USS George Washington, first ordered in 1957 and commissioned in 1959. Earlier Soviet subs had carried nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, but they were diesel-powered boats with limited endurance.

The George Washington’s nuclear propulsion enabled it to remain underwater for months without surfacing. Each of the five boats in the George Washington Class carried 16 Polaris missiles, giving a single submarine the capability to devastate an opponent’s heartland.

9. Type XXI U-boat

The Allies were fortunate that the Type XXI U-boat arrived too late to see combat. Had it been deployed before the end of war, it could have had a devastating impact on the Battle of the Atlantic.

The Type XXI had numerous advanced features for its time, including high-capacity batteries that enabled it to remain underwater for days, a streamlined hull, and a snorkel to recharge the batteries while underwater. With an underwater speed of 17 knots, it could actually outrace most surface warships.

8. Typhoon Class

Soviet-built Typhoons are the largest submarines in the world, weighing in at 48,000 tons (a U.S. Ohio-class ballistic missile sub weighs less than 20,000 tons, while an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is only about 9,000 tons).

Despite its size, the six Typhoons that were built were surprisingly quiet and hard to detect. They carried 20 SS-N-20 (NATO code name “Sturgeon”) ballistic missiles equipped with multiple nuclear warheads, as well as anti-ship guided missiles and torpedoes. The boats featured multiple pressure hulls for greater strength.

7. Sentoku Class

A submarine that’s an aircraft carrier seems like mating a fish and an elephant, but that didn’t stop several navies from trying.

The Imperial Japanese Navy’s I-400 Sentoku Class boats of World War II were 6,500 tons, almost three times the size of U.S. Gato Class subs, and about the same displacement as a U.S. George Washington-class nuclear-powered missile sub from the early 1960s.

The three Sentoku boats each carried three torpedo-equipped M6A Seiran floatplanes that would be launched by catapult, and then ditch in the water upon their return.

6. X-Craft

While many of the most famous submarines were giants, at the other end of the sub spectrum were the midget submarines. Britain’s X-craft were used for special attack missions in heavily defended harbors that were impervious to conventional submarine attack.

Their most famous raid was in 1943, when X-craft damaged the German battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian harbor. The tiny 27-ton submarines were towed by larger boats to the target area, where they were cast off to make their way to the target. The crew would plant explosive charges before returning to the mother sub

5. USS Nautilus

The USS Nautilus was the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine.

Until the Nautilus, submarines were powered by diesel engines that could not be used underwater. Subs could either expose themselves on the surface when using their diesels, or run submerged on batteries that had limited power.

But a nuclear-powered submarine could spend its entire voyage submerged and hidden. In 1955, for her maiden voyage, the Nautilus traveled 1,100 nautical miles – the longest submerged cruise in history at that time.

4. T Class

Known also as the Triton Class, these boats formed the backbone of the British submarine force during World War II.

Displacing about 1,500 tons, T Class subs packed a heavy punch of 10 torpedo tubes. However, they all fired forward, compared to other subs that could fire torpedoes with both bow and stern tubes.

T-class boats exacted a heavy toll of Axis shipping supplying Rommel’s Afrika Korps, but suffered heavy losses in the narrow, shallow waters of the Mediterranean

3. Gato Class

American Gato Class submarines were the bane of Japanese merchant ships during World War II. Fast, well-armed and with good range, they were well-suited for the undersea war against Japan.

Gatos displaced about 1,500 tons, and were armed with six bow and four stern torpedo tubes. They could travel 20 knots on the surface and nearly 9 knots submerged.

2. Seawolf Class

At more than $4 billion apiece, Seawolf Class submarines were the most expensive in history. But they were designed for a mission that brooked no failure; stalk and destroy Soviet ballistic missile subs before they could launch their weapons.

Designed to be extremely fast and extremely quiet, the high price tag and diminished Soviet submarine threat with the end of the cold war caused the program to be cancelled after the first three boats were delivered.

One of them, the USS Jimmy Carter, has since been converted into a spy sub.

1. Type VII U-Boat

Perhaps the ultimate symbol of the deadly underwater predator, the Type VII U-boat may be the most famous submarine class in history.

It was also the most numerous, serving as the workhorse of the German submarine forces in World War II. At around 900 tons displacement, and armed with five torpedo tubes, the Type VII was smaller than the big American fleet boats, but it came perilously close to winning the Battle of the Atlantic.

But the cost was frightful; of 1,100 U-boats constructed in World War II – including 700 Type VII’s – more than 800 were lost. More than 75 percent of U-boat crewmen perished.