• Military tanks are meant to withstand the most extreme conditions.tanks image by Jeffrey Zalesny from Fotolia.com
  
  We've all seen military tanks in movies, TV shows and even toy commercials. They push through seemingly-impossible obstacles (e.g., walls, swamps, barricades) and they protect those inside. But have you ever wondered what they were originally made for, besides making action films look good. Let's find out.
  
  

What Are Tanks Used For?

• Tanks are strategic military vehicles that were designed to withstand the most brutal circumstances. What the average car could not get through, the tank could. They were first used in World War I and were used for disabling the enemy by destroying their main defenses.
  
  

Features of a Tank

• Tanks are bullet-proof to the nth degree and feature gadgets like night-vision telescopes/binoculars, long-range target guns (e.g., missiles and machine guns) and GPS systems.
  
  

What makes them perfect for the job?

• A tank does not use standard tires like today's car. Instead of four wheels, tanks run on a "caterpillar track," almost like a giant conveyor belt under the vehicle. And according to FirstWorldWar.com, this track was ideal for getting through muddy terrain. In other words, they are the ultimate all-terrain vehicle.