The obvious disadvantage to this design is the cost and complexity of two drive trains, and the increased maintenance load that implies. This may be combined with brakes to further control the steering radius. This maintains power to both tracks while steering, produces a wide range of turning circles, and even allows one track to be reversed while the other moves forward, allowing the tank to turn in place. One solution to the steering problem is to use two separate drivetrains, each driving one track. Systems using electric motors with variable speed controls have been tried on a number of occasions, but have not entered widespread service. Most modern Western designs use a variation of the double differential, while Soviet designs preferred to use two separate transmissions in a single housing. The first really successful system was the British double differential design of 1924, which was copied by both the United States and Germany. Some also allowed one track to move forward while the other reversed, allowing the tank to spin in place, a concept known as neutral steering. Delivering power to both tracks while turning them at different speeds is a difficult design problem.Ī series of more advanced designs were introduced, especially through World War II, that maintained power to both tracks during steering, a concept known as regenerative steering. These designs have numerous problems, notably when climbing hills or running at high speed, as the reduction in power causes the overall speed to slow.

Half-track vehicles avoid this by combining steerable wheels and fixed-speed tracks.Įarly steering systems were adopted from tracked work vehicles, generally using a clutch to reduce power to one track, causing it to slow down.

Because the tracks cannot be angled relative to the hull (in any operational design), steering must be accomplished by speeding one track up, slowing the other down (or reversing it), or a combination of both. Tank steering systems allow a tank, or other continuous track vehicle, to turn.

Not to be confused with Tank controls, a video game control scheme.

Panther tank modern