March 29, 2018

Anatomy of War: Could the Next US Battle Tank be Made out of Foam?

An M1 Abrams main battle tank. Image courtesy of Popular Mechanics

That’s what the editors of Popular Mechanics are claiming  in their most recent issue. According to an online article, metal foam is both stronger yet lighter than typical steel armor, meaning tomorrow’s tanks could be better able to withstand the rigors of war and the many types of weapons that are intended to thin the armored herd.The article goes on to say that “Scientists at North Carolina State University and the US Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate have invented what they call Composite Metal Foam (CMF). “Metal foam” is exactly what you think it is—metal with sponge-like holes in it. This not only makes CMF lighter than normal metal, but it also makes CMF spongy, allowing it to give slightly under impact, soaking up some of the energy of a collision.”

For more information on what could be a groundbreaking achievement in the armor versus armament debate, stop by this link: The United States Next Tank

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