I think that the "tank era" is about over. They plainly have become obsolete. To the helicopter. One AH-64 Apache can take out a handful of tanks, and they can just sit there with their teeth in their mouth. Until the tanks can defend against an air attack I think they are obsolete, maybe even extinct someday.

Maybe tanks would be superior against a country with no helo's, but they are obsolete when the helicopters show up. I do know that some situations are very important for tanks, but thats only a few. Just watch the number of tanks to helicopters is going to get more lop sided as the years go by.

I disagree. Helicpters cant hold ground like a tank can, but they are going to become more limited in their use.

Two words my friend: Combined Arms

A tank may be a sitting duck against helicopters and low performance aircraft on it’s own, but it has several offensive measures it can employ when the aircraft goes to nap of earth (NOE) to avoid SAMs. These surface to air missles are almost always organic to the motorized unit or mechanized unit.

Offense:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...d/m2-50cal.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...tions/m943.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...ons/m830a1.htm

Defense:
http://www.defense-update.com/products/a/arena-e.htm

The tank will make something of a evolution, it will be more geared for urban support stuff. All out war is pretty much over, it's all about....

well, look at my sig.

a tank is a awsome countr-siege weapon... if used correctly. Iraq just didn't know how to use their tankforces.

I think tanks still have their use in a combined arms situation.

I still see armor in use up to 50 years from now, even though technology gives us more anti-tank weapons, technology will also give us better armor for the tanks.

The only thing I see that would put an end to tanks is a small compact and accurate weapon that can fire long distance, smaller and more compact than any rpg or tow, preferably with multiple shots. Maybe something like a hyper-velocity magnetic pulse rifle, or laser, but by the time this is invented they will probably have force field for tanks.

There will always be a need for armor. There may not always be a need for armor in every situation but there will always be a need for it some where, some time. You'll be thankful for it if your ever using it for cover, guaranteed!

I honestly think tanks will never outlive their use.

I honestly think tanks will never outlive their use.

They said that aobut horses...

Now, a tank is not a sitting duck against Helicopters. It can shoot back...And I have never seen a Helie that can take a 120mm to the face and keep flying.Also, Like the guys said, you need airsupport. The send their attack helies, fine, you send your fighters and clear the sky. Lets have a look at the 1982 war in Lebanon. Both the Syrians and Israelis used attack helies( Israel- MD500 Defender, Cobra. Syria-Gazelle). But Israel ruled the sky and shot down the Syrian choppers. Also, a few were shot down with AT missiles shot from AFVs...

Well a Tank can be improved and upgraded like a horse cannot. Really I think the IFV/Tank has taken over where the Horse left off. It's an extention of the same concept that has been taken to the next level.