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The M2 light tank, officially Light Tank, M2, was an American light tank of the interwar period which saw limited service during World War II. The most common model, the M2A4, was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in) M5 gun and five .30 cal M1919 Browning machine guns .
American light tank development started with the M2 light tank series. These light tanks were mechanically very reliable, with good mobility. However, they had a high silhouette, and only a few saw combat. The M3 Stuart series was an improvement of the M2 with better armor. The new medium tank just entering production in 1940 was the M2A1.
The M3 light tank was an upgrade of the M2 light tank. The Battle of France gave momentum to the US tank program because U.S. observers saw how easily British and French light tanks were decimated by the advanced German Panzers, and in July 1940 work began on a new light tank based on the M2 series.
For non-sequential numbers, like M1 Abrams, see bottom of list. M1 combat car, also known as the M1 light tank; M1 light motorcycle; M2 light tank, .5" MG or 37 mm gun, 11-ton
By the time the United States entered the Second World War in December 1941 it had only two tank designs ready for combat: the M1 Combat Car and the M2 Light Tank. Originally both tanks only came equipped with machine guns but in 1940, the M2A4 was upgraded to a 37mm anti-tank gun.
The Medium Tank M2 was a larger development of the M2 light tank. Many components were common or used a similar design, including the tracks and vertical volute spring suspension which, with slight modifications, were later used on the M3 and M4 medium tanks.
The M3 Stuart/light tank M3, was a US light tank of World War II, ... American tank designers realized that the light tank M2 was becoming obsolete and set about ...
In 1940, the distinction between infantry and cavalry tank units disappeared with the establishment of the Armored Force to manage all tanks in the U.S. Army. The "combat car" name was superfluous, and the cavalry unit tanks redesignated the M1 combat car as the "light tank M1A1" and the M2 combat car as the "light tank M1A2". [5] [4]