The United States military is arguably the most advanced fighting force on earth today; with an extensive array of vehicles at its disposal. Their military might is unmatched across land, sea, or air and every year, the US government commits several billions of dollars to keep it that way. On land, the Army fields a formidable force comprising a wide variety of ground vehicles.
These vehicles are deployed to fulfill a number of roles that include command and control, troop transport, armed reconnaissance, and direct enemy engagement. In all of these, the vehicles employed are usually at the cutting edge of military-technology, designed to gain an advantage over whatever enemy equipment they might encounter in the combat theater.
10 M1 Abrams
This armored behemoth is the main battle tank of the US Army. It is a fearsome battle-proven platform that's earned its reputation from participating in several conflicts over the years. The M1 Abrams, also used by countries like Australia and Saudi Arabia, first entered service in 1980 and has since been continuously upgraded to keep it in line with the requirements of today's military forces.
The latest variant is the M1A2C Abrams, equipped with features like the Israeli-developed Trophy HV advanced active protection system and a main 120-mm cannon that can now fire programmable projectiles.
9 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
As the name implies, this one was built for war and perfectly complements the M1 Abrams tank on the battlefield. The tracked vehicle, named after a legendary military figure, acts as an armored infantry transport but also packs a lot of firepower for offense or defense.
The main weapon is a 25-mm M242 Bushmaster cannon that can unleash up to 300 rounds per minute. It is also armed with a coaxial machine gun to engage infantry targets and a TOW Missile system on board too for good measure. The Bradley saw extensive combat during the first Gulf War where it is credited with more armored vehicle kills than the M1 Abrams.
8 M1117 Guardian
The M1117 Guardian is an armored personnel carrier that can be used for the swift deployment of troops in a combat zone. The frontal armor provides protection against 12.7-mm armor-piercing rounds and there are variants that pack enough armor protection to withstand mine blasts.
The Guardian also has a potent array of weapons like a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher alongside 12.7-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns for troop protection. In hot zones, the M117 Guardian is a much more welcome alternative for military patrols compared to the conventional military Humvee.
7 ICV Stryker
This generally refers to a range of 8-wheeled armored fighting vehicles. The ICV acronym translates to Infantry Carrier Vehicle, a nod to the vehicle's main function. It entered service in 2002 and about a year later, it was deployed to the frontlines in Iraq.
Lessons learned from that conflict and other subsequent deployments led to various design enhancements and upgrades like RPG-resistant armor, non-flammable tires, mine-resistant seating, and a remote gun station that can be operated without exposing the gunner to return fire.
6 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle
This imperious vehicle is based on an M1 Abrams chassis and is primarily employed for explosives clearing operations. They are truly massive, weighing as much as 72 tons with an overall length of 15 meters.
The M1150 is fitted with a 15-foot wide front-mounted plow and armed with over 3,000 kg of explosives for clearing operations. Its main purpose is to carve a safe pathway for troops and other vehicles following behind. However, the M1150 is not completely defenseless, with a .50 caliber machine gun to actively engage targets.
5 Cougar MRAP
The Cougar is a bulky mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle that's available in both 4x4 or 6x configuration. The standard Cougar provides all-around protection from 7.62-mm rounds and there are available upgrades that offer additional protection from heavier caliber weapons.
The armored vehicle can also be fitted with remote firing stations and firing ports as part of its defensive measures. The Cougar has seen extensive combat action in the Middle East where it has been deployed in a variety of roles ranging from troop transport to armed reconnaissance.
4 M104 Wolverine
The odd-looking Wolverine is based on an M1A2 Abrams battle tank and consequently, shares features like its powertrain and armor protection. However, instead of mounting a turret for the main cannon, the Wolverine has a rather unusual contraption. It is a folding metal platform that is used as a bridge for other vehicles to cross over obstacles like a ditch or small stream.
This platform can support a 70-ton vehicle traveling at about 10mph. The bridge only takes a matter of minutes to deploy and recover; all done with the control crew never having to leave the safety of the armored platform.
3 M109A7 Paladin
The US Army employs the Paladin as a self-propelled artillery piece; a platform that can lob standard high-explosive shells as far out as 15 miles. The maximum range for guided shells is even further out. The main weapon here is a 155-mm howitzer that is now fitted with an automated loader system. This represents a significant improvement over previous models as the M109A7 Paladin now boasts a sustained fire rate of 4 rounds per minute.
To defend itself, the Paladin relies on remote-controlled weapons stations with a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun that can be swapped out for a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher.
2 Caiman MTV
Lessons learned from extensive combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan forced the United States Army to refocus on mine-resistant vehicles. The Caiman was one of such vehicles that emerged from that period.
This multi-terrain vehicle featured armored protection that could withstand attacks by mines and Rocket Propelled Grenades. Run-flat tires come as standard improving the ability of the Caiman to extract troops under fire. Some Caiman variants have a roof-mounted turret that can be fitted with weapons like machine guns for direct enemy action.
1 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)
HIMARS is a multiple rocket-launcher platforms that entered service with the US Army in 2005. it is mounted on a 6x6 Army 5-ton truck given it rapid deployment and mobility capabilities.
The M142 HIMARS, in standard form, carries a launcher system that can unleash six 227-mm rockets, each weighing 675 lbs. It can also fire guided munitions out to a range well in excess of 38 miles. In place of rockets, the M142 can be configured to fire a single MGM-140 tactical missile with a range of over 100 miles.