What is tank hardness?

Tank hardness refers to the ability of a tank to resist penetration by enemy fire. It is typically measured in millimetres of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) equivalent, which is the thickness of RHA that would provide the same level of protection as the armour in question.

Tank hardness can be improved by increasing the thickness of the armour, using more effective armour materials, or adding additional armour layers. However, increasing tank hardness also increases the weight of the tank, which can reduce its mobility and fuel efficiency.

The ideal level of tank hardness is a compromise between protection and mobility. Tanks that are too heavily armoured may be too slow and cumbersome to effectively engage enemy forces, while tanks that are too lightly armoured may be too vulnerable to enemy fire.

Factors affecting tank hardness

There are a number of factors that can affect the hardness of a tank, including:

* Armour thickness: The thicker the armour, the harder it is to penetrate.

* Armour material: Some armour materials are more resistant to penetration than others. For example, RHA is more resistant to penetration than mild steel.

* Armour shape: The shape of the armour can also affect its hardness. For example, sloped armour is more difficult to penetrate than flat armour.

* Additional armour layers: Adding additional armour layers can also increase the hardness of a tank.

Tank hardness vs. other factors

Tank hardness is not the only factor that affects the survivability of a tank. Other factors, such as mobility, firepower, and crew training, are also important. However, tank hardness is an essential component of tank design, and it can play a critical role in determining the outcome of a battle.