Main battle tank ||This article's lead section may not
adequately summarize key points of its contents. (September
2012)| A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank or
universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role
of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace
the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was
spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development of
lightweight composite armor. They are still supplemented in some
armies with light tanks. Today, main battle tanks are considered
a key component of modern armies. Modern MBTs seldom operate
alone, as they are organized into armored units which involve
the support of infantry, who may accompany the MBTs in infantry
fighting vehicles. They are also often supported by surveillance
or ground-attack aircraft. Cold War  The concept of the medium
tank gradually evolved into the MBT in the 1960s, as it was
realized that medium tanks could carry guns (such as the US 90
mm, Soviet 100 mm, and espec