The continual technological developments have led to more sophisticated optical devices. improved firepower. better communications and more protection for crews.

In 1952 the Americans introduced the M48 into service and it remains in service to this day. A further improved version was introduced in 1960 as the M60 and has gone through various modifications. In 1971 the USA instituted a research programme which resulted in the production of the Ml Abrams. using a 120 mm (4.7 in) gun, intended to have a fire control system equal to that envisaged by the USA's partners in NATO and to have the same protective armour as the British Challenger.

One major problem faced by crews is that of space - storage of ammunition, equipment and ttools - and ensuring that equipment does not jam the turret traverse area; also. to ensure that they have enough food and water to survive if necessary in a nuclear environment, enclosed in their tanks. Fatigue is another problem; especially tiring are the night operations. where a man's effective observation limit is one hour, using modern sights. Comfort is also important. as a crew moving rapidly across an uneven terrain can emerge shaken and bruised, often with serious injury resulting from rapid cross-country movement.

During the period when NATO was developing its new generation of tanks, the USSR was carrying out a similar programme. After the heavy and powerful JSIII and T-10 came the considerably lighter T-54/55. at 36 tonnes. Later came the T-62, a development of the T-54/55 series. Probably over 40,000 T-62's were produced either in the USSR or in factories in its territories. The T-62 weighed 40 tonnes and was armed with a 115 mm (4.5 in) gun. The early T-62 was relatively unsophisticated; however, later developments included laser range finders and infrared equipment. Russian tanks all have an ability that their NATO counterparts do not have - that of snorkelling or wading a river totally submerged. This is because the Russians believe that in war, tanks would have to cross a great number of rivers, often without bridges.

A further Russian tank development is the T-64/72, which has a 125 mm (4.9 in) gun firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FRAG FS from a smooth-bore gun, with an automatic loader, which enables the crew to be reduced to three men. From the T-64 / T-72 has come a development which is the equal of the modern NATO- produced tanks: the T-80, based on the T-64. With additional ceramic armour added to its turret. it incorporates a 125 mm (4.9 in) smooth bore gun, an HVAPFSDS. with further research into a Depleted Uranium (DU) round. In common with NATO tanks, the T-80 has been equipped with passive night vision equipment. a laser range finder and a full solution ballistic computer, as well as having full stabilization on the main armament.

At the same time as main battle tanks were being introduced, the need for a lighter vehicle for reconnaissance purposes was recognized. one that would not be heard or seen but with enough offensive weaponry to protect itself. Britain and France led the way, producing respectively the Saladin and the AMX-1 3 tank.

The Saladin was a wheeled vehicle produced in 1958 with a 76 mm (3 in) cannon. The AMX-1 3 has a 90 mm (3.5 in) cannon, and weighs 15 tonnes. The French also introduced the Panhard 8 wheeled EBR armoured car, with a 90 mm (3.5 in) cannon and a driver's compartment at both ends. with a crew of tour. Later requirements led to Britain introducing the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) Scorpion. the Scimitar and the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled) Fox. France also produced the successful AMX-10 series, the Renault VBC-90 and the Panhard ERC-90 series with a variation of guns and turrets.

The Soviet reconnaissance vehicles include the BTR. BMP and PT76, as well as the BRDM. which has a variety of weapons fits. The Russians also have the PT76 light tank, which has a 76 mm (3 in) gun and a swimming capability, and one of the mainstays of their battalions is the T-62, also used in a reconnaissance role.