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- Tanks are heavily armored vehicles capable of blending into their surroundings, firing at enemy craft, and offering a high level of protection to troops
- Their size makes them slower than many other vehicles
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World War I marked a first on many fronts. It was the first use of trench warfare, first to use modern technology, and of course the first world conflict, involving over 30 countries. It is also the first major war to involve the deployment of tanks. During World War I, America produced about two thirds of the Allies’ equipment, including 86,000 tanks. Tanks were first used by British Forces during 1916’s Battle of the Somme, to cross trenches and wire entanglements. They were excellent at breaking through wire entanglements and crossing trenches, though they were unfortunately unable to break through German lines.
Tanks have proven instrumental in our modern defense strategies. These heavily armored vehicles are capable of blending into their surroundings, firing at enemy craft, and offering a high level of protection to troops. However, their size and bulk lend to some disadvantages. For instance, they are not fast traveling vehicles, especially not when compared to cars that can reach top speeds of 330 mph. And certainly not when compared to other military craft, such as our fastest fighter jet in service, which blasts through the air at 2,190 mph.
To determine the fastest tanks in U.S. military history, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a list of tanks used by the U.S. military from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms and more used by militaries across the world. All U.S. tanks are ranked here according to their top speed. Additional data on the type of tank, country of origin, crew size, wars served, and number produced also came from Military Factory.
Why We Are Covering This
In 2023, the U.S. government announced plans to provide the Ukrainian government with roughly two dozen M1A1 Abram Tanks. Though the initial plan was to manufacture new tanks, the decision was made to refurbish existing tanks in order to speed up the timeline. The United States shipped these tanks, armed with advanced armor and weapons, overseas. The tanks were originally delivered to Germany, where Ukrainian troops were trained to operate the vehicles in their defense against Russia.
Here is the top speed of every US Army tank in history, ranked:
29. Tank Mk V
- Top Speed: 4.6 mph
The Tank Mk V was a cross between a heavy tank and an armored fighting vehicle made by the United Kingdom that boasted a maximum speed of 4.6 mph. It entered service in 1918 and was utilized in World War I.
28. Renault Ft-17
- Top Speed: 4.8 mph
The Renault Ft-17 was a light tank made by France that had a top speed of 4.8 mph. It entered service in 1917 and was utilized in World War I. The tank could fit 2 and 3,694 units were produced.
27. M1917 6-ton
- Top Speed: 5.5 mph
The M1917 6-ton was a light two-man combat tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 5.5 mph. It entered service in 1918 and was utilized in World War I. There were 950 of these tanks produced.
26. Tank Mark VIII (International / Liberty)
- Top Speed: 6.2 mph
The Tank Mark VIII (also known as The International or Liberty) was an armored fighting vehicle made by the United States that boasted a maximum speed of 6.2 mph. It entered service in 1919 and was utilized in World War I. It could fit a crew of 11.
25. Ford Model 1918 3-ton (M1918)
- Top Speed: 8.1 mph
The Ford Model 1918 3-ton (commonly referred to as an M1918) was a light tank combat vehicle made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 8.1 mph. It entered service in 1918 and served in World War I.
24. M103 (Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 120-mm, M103)
- Top Speed: 21.1 mph
The M103 (also known as various iterations of Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 120-mm, M103) was a heavy tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 21.1 mph. It entered service in 1957 and could fit a crew of 5 comfortably.
23. Sherman Jumbo (Medium Tank, M4A3E2)
- Top Speed: 21.7 mph
The Sherman Jumbo (or, Medium Tank, M4A3E2) was a mix between an up-armored medium tank and an assault tank made by the United States that could go as fast as 21.7 mph. It entered service in 1944 and served in World War II.
22. M4A3(76)W HVSS Sherman (Easy Eight / M4A3E8)
- Top Speed: 23 mph
Another variant of the M4 Sherman was a M4A3(76)W HVSS Sherman (known commonly as Easy Eight or the M4A3E8) was made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 23.0 mph. It entered service in 1944 and served in World War II as well as the Korean War.
21. M4 Sherman (Medium Tank, M4)
- Top Speed: 23.9 mph
The original M4 Sherman (officially known as Medium Tank, M4) was made by the United States and had a maximum speed of 23.9 mph. It entered service in 1942 and was utilized in World War II and the Korean War. This was the top produced tank with 50,000 units made.
20. Sherman Firefly (Medium Tank, M4A4)
- Top Speed: 24.9 mph
The Sherman Firefly (Medium Tank, M4A4), another variant of the M4 Sherman, was a hybrid of a tank destroyer and medium tank made by the United Kingdom that could go as fast as 24.9 mph. It entered service in 1944 and was utilized in World War II and the Korean War.
19. M26 Pershing
- Top Speed: 24.9 mph
The M26 Pershing was a cross between a heavy and medium tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 24.9 mph. It entered service in 1945 and served in World War II and the Korean War.
18. Medium Tank M2
- Top Speed: 26.1 mph
The Medium Tank M2 was a medium sized tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 26.1 mph. It entered service in 1940 and fought in World War II. It could fit a crew of 6.
17. M3 Lee / M3 Grant (Medium Tank, M3)
- Top Speed: 26.1 mph
The M3 Lee or M3 Grant was a medium tank made by the United States that topped out at 26.1 mph. It entered service in 1941 and was utilized in World War II.
16. Sherman Crab
- Top Speed: 28.6 mph
The Sherman Crab was a special purpose mine flail tank tracked support vehicle (used to make a safe trail through a minefield) made by the United Kingdom that had a maximum speed of 28.6 mph. It entered service in 1942 and was utilized in World War II.
15. Sherman DD (Duplex Drive)
- Top Speed: 28.6 mph
The Sherman DD (short for Duplex Drive) was an amphibious combat tank tracked combat vehicle made by the United Kingdom that had a maximum speed of 28.6 mph (like the Sherman Crab). It entered service in 1944 and served in World War II. It could fit a crew of 5.
14. M46 Patton (General Patton)
- Top Speed: 29.8 mph
The M46 Patton (also known as General Patton) was a medium tank tracked combat vehicle made by the United States that topped out at 29.8 mph. It entered service in 1950 and was used in the Korean War.
13. M47 (Patton II)
- Top Speed: 29.8 mph
The M47 (also designated as Patton II) was a medium tank tracked combat vehicle made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 29.8 mph. It entered service in 1951 and could fit a crew of 5.
12. M48 Patton
- Top Speed: 29.8 mph
Another Patton variant, the M48 Patton was a medium tank made by the United States that could go as fast as 29.8 mph. It entered service in 1952 and was used in the Vietnam War. It could fit 4 soldiers and 12,000 units were produced — putting it as the 4th most produced tank on this list.
11. M60 (Patton)
- Top Speed: 30 mph
The M60 (also known as Patton) was a main battle tank made by the United States that had a top speed of 30.0 mph. It entered service in 1960 and fought in the Vietnam War as well as the Gulf War.
10. Marmon-Herrington CTLS (CTL)
- Top Speed: 32.9 mph
The Marmon-Herrington CTLS (also known as CTL) was a light tank or a tankette made by the United States that could go as fast as 32.9 mph. It entered service in 1935 and was utilized in World War II. This tank was designed to fit 2 crew members.
9. M2 (Light tank, M2)
- Top Speed: 34.8 mph
The M2 (commonly referred as Light tank or M2) was a light tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 34.8 mph. It entered service in 1935 and served in World War II.
8. M24 Chaffee (Light Tank, M24)
- Top Speed: 34.8 mph
The M24 Chaffee (referred to as Light Tank or M24) was a reconnaissance light tank (used in missions to survey enemy territory) made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 34.8 mph. It entered service in 1944 and served in several wars — World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
7. M3 Stuart (Light Tank, M3)
- Top Speed: 36 mph
The M3 Stuart (Light Tank, M3) was a light tank made by the United States that could go as fast as 36.0 mph. It entered service in 1941 and was utilized in World War II. This tank is the 2nd most produced tank on this list with 22,744 units made.
6. M5 Stuart (Light tank, M5) (Stuart VI)
- Top Speed: 36 mph
Another Stuart variant, the M5 Stuart (known as Light tank, M5, or Stuart VI) was a light tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 36.0 mph. It entered service in 1942 and served in World War II.
5. M22 Locust (Light tank, Airborne, M22)
- Top Speed: 39.8 mph
The M22 Locust was an airborne infantry light tank made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 39.8 mph. It entered service in 1943 and was utilized in World War II.
4. M1 Abrams
- Top Speed: 41.6 mph
The M1 Abrams was a main battle tank made by the United States that could go as fast as 41.6 mph. It entered service in 1980 and served in the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.
3. M551 Sheridan
- Top Speed: 43.5 mph
The M551 Sheridan was an armored reconnaissance airborne assault vehicle made by the United States that had a maximum speed of 43.5 mph. It entered service in 1968 and has fought in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.
2. M1 (Light Tank, M1 / M1 Combat Car)
- Top Speed: 44.7 mph
The M1 (also known as the M1 Combat Car) was a light tank made by the United States that had a top speed of 44.7 mph. It entered service in 1933 and served in World War II.
1. M41 Walker Bulldog
- Top Speed: 45 mph
The M41 Walker Bulldog was a light tank tracked combat vehicle made by the United States that boasted a top speed of 45.0 mph — the fastest tank on this list. It entered service in 1951 and served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It could fit a crew of 4 and 3,728 units were produced.
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