Survivability of Tanks Post-Nuclear Disaster: Strategies, Challenges, and Utility

In a post-nuclear apocalypse setting, tanks can play a crucial role, yet their effectiveness is contingent on numerous factors. This article explores the viability of tanks, offering strategies for survival and identifying the challenges they face post-disaster.

Initial Survivability and Automation

When nuclear weapons first go off, being inside a tank provides one of the best protections short of a bunker. A tank's onboard CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) system typically detects gamma radiation above a certain threshold and automatically seals any ports while initiating a filter system. This is accompanied by audio and visual warnings and often includes locking turret rotation, providing immediate protection against radiation.

Strategic Movement and Resource Collection

Post-blast, the priority would be to move the tank away from the epicenter where the blast wave hit. Once fuel and mechanical condition permit, strategic relocation to avoid high irradiation areas is key. However, this movement is limited by available fuel and ammunition. Scavenging parts from other tanks and fuel and ammunition reserves from storage facilities can temporarily extend a tank's operational range, but this strategy has limitations.

Utility in Post-Apocalyptic Scenarios

Tanks can be valuable for remnants of armed forces or governmental organizations in a post-apocalyptic world. Their CBRN systems and natural protection make them useful for handling irradiated debris and cleanup. With basic fitting, they can even undertake minor construction tasks, although far from ideal, these capabilities can be beneficial.

Main Problems: Ammunition and Fuel

The primary challenges of using tanks in a post-nuclear setting are ammunition and fuel shortages. Rapid depletion of both can impede sustained operations. Storage facilities and scavengeable tanks can provide some resupply, but they likely won't be sufficient to support long-term missions. Specialized and powerful weapons are required to neutralize tanks, making them valuable assets for defense and deterrence against hostile forces.

Survivability When Alone vs. in a Community

Driving a tank alone is difficult and impractical. The driver has no control over the turret, making it challenging to effectively operate the vehicle. Manual loading of the gun further complicates solo operation. However, having a community can significantly enhance the utility of tanks. A defended settlement with multiple tanks, ammunition, and fuel supplies can serve as a formidable deterrent against theft and attacks.

Even in a post-nuclear setting, modern tanks offer enhanced observation capabilities with night vision and thermal imaging. These features can be extremely useful in defending against threats. Despite these advantages, the sustainability of tanks relies on a long-term fuel supply. By this point, alliances and better resource management should reduce the risk of banditry and enhance overall safety.

Conclusion

In a post-nuclear disaster, the survivability of tanks is highly dependent on strategic use and resource management. While they offer significant advantages in terms of protection and utility, the challenges of ammunition and fuel shortages must be addressed. Alone, tanks are relatively worthless, but in a supportive community, they can become invaluable defensive assets, serving as both a deterrent and a means of protecting scarce resources.

Key Takeaways:

CBRN systems provide immediate radiation protection. Strategic relocation post-blast is necessary to avoid high irradiation areas. Scavenging and fuel supplies can extend operational range, but are limited. Tanks offer enhanced observation capabilities and can handle debris cleanup. Primary challenges are ammunition and fuel shortages, with specialized weapons required to neutralize tanks. Survailability increases significantly in a community with multiple tanks and strategic resources.