It was an ordinary day for Audrey and Logan, until their mom gave them a present. This present, they will never forget. Can you guess who was inside?
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It's normal for our readers to write in and ask us which of the battle tanks is the best that ever existed in the world. In other worlds, of all the modern MBTs, which one of them is the best, and why. In order to figure out such a ranking, we've had to consider accuracy, mobility, firepower, and protection. Of the tanks talked about below, you'll see that all of them are super-powerful, alas they haven't actually gone against each other in a battle. Since there's no battle history, the analysis is all based on the data points that I previously mentioned. All the tanks mentioned actually exist and can be found today in the real world.
These are the best of the best in tanks:
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The T 34 Soviet medium tank was first used in 1940 and had a very large influence on the ways that tanks are designed. It has been talked about as one of the best tanks that was used during the Second World War. It had the best balance as an overall tank, but it wasn't designed to hold the passengers very well, didn't have radios, and performed tactics poorly. That being said, it had guns that made it a fierce adversary for the time. The three inch machine gun was by far the best tank gun at that time. The armor also made it hard to destroy by other tanks. German military officials called it one of the fiercest tanks on the field of battle.
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Throughout time bombers have been the main influence on the field of battle. These are the cream of the crop. Check out the best 10 bombers from history.
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In the United States military forces, war dogs are associated with the troops and they take significant part in the war game. The SEAL Team Six and the most popular "Soldier Dog" named Cairo were commissioned to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden way back in 2011. In the operation, Cairo used his dog senses and canine skills to accomplish the mission of killing Bin Laden. This Dog was effective aid in the triumph of the operation. Other military dogs are used as sniffing dogs to discover threats (similar to what you see at the airports), some are guards and companions of the military troops, some are used for search and rescue operations. The war dogs are also used to guide and lead the soldiers in dark and treacherous places. Closeness and faithfulness are developed between the handlers and trainers. They are genuine lovers of dogs and with their beloved friends, they are an indispensable members of the military.
According to Maria Goodavage, author of the new book "Soldier Dogs", dogs' extreme sensitivities and alertness make them great in the battlefield. She added that dog's sense of smell is stronger and greater than human thus they can recognize if danger and fear are at hand much more effectively. Dogs are more vigilant than we are and they are always ready to attack. There is inseparable relationship between trained dog and his military master as they often sleep and eat together, moreover play together. Greatness of military dogs is achieved by the patience and compassion of their handlers. Dog is man's best friend and a great companion and protector in times of danger and war.
The training of dogs, especially the Belgian Malinois dogs, is usually conducted in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Texas. Training is tough and tiresome for both the handlers and the canines during the preparation for the battlefield or a special mission. The course also includes lessons and training for the development of extreme physical tolerance and mental readiness. Trainers at Lackland are also required to know basic commands in different languages. Some smaller dogs like the tiny Jack Russell terrier "Lars J274" are also included in the Navy services. These dogs are great in sniffing bombs in submarines. Breeding and training of military or war dogs are customary practice in Germany and Netherlands.
After the accomplishment of the mission or when the war is over, the military dogs are brought back to the United States and oftentimes are adopted by their handlers which bring them home to their families. However, during Vietnam era, war dogs were treated harshly and the poor dogs were abandoned and even erased after the service. Unfortunately, today dogs are still treated only as tools and instruments in the war instead of co members of the team. In 2012, bipartisan Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act presently proposes its way through both houses of Congress to have clear and definite plan for the retirement, adoption, care and appreciation of military working dogs.
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The IS-3 or the Iosef Stalin (Joseph Stalin) IS3 was part of a series of tanks that served Soviet Army during the WWII. The whole series was based upon the KV tanks and began with the IS-1 that was produced in the year 1943. The IS-2 came next during the very same year. The IS-2 came fitted with the 122, main gun - a lethal weapon indeed. The IS-3 was developed afterwards because the Soviets were convinced of its value.
The IS-3 modifications were a re-design of the whole series. For instance, the armor protection of the IS-3 is the best of the lot. This tank has better turret armor protection than its predecessors and is thus a safer machine to operate overall. The armor of the whole series was already a stand out. There were other modifications made on the turret. It was well-rounded and there was more space for the turret crew. Additional projectiles were also given ample space. For better protection from ballistics, the glacis plate had increased slope. The combined modifications on the turret and hull resulted in a lowered silhouette. This made the tank more difficult to track and target from any given angle.
The chief armament of the IS-3 was the 122mm (121.9mm). This was infamous during the war for its excellent penetration capacity and the flexibility that came with it. Expert crew can let off from 2-3 rounds every minute. The projectile choices were expanded as well to include 10 AP or armor-piercing rounds. In addition, there were 18 HE or high-explosive fragmentation. The IS-3 was capable of facilitating battlefield targets.
In October, 1944 the IS-3 prototype was designated as "Object 703." After a very short while and a series of evaluations this was approved for production. Factories in the Soviet Union capable of constructing heavy vehicles were soon busy with construction. The very first operational IS-3 tanks were entered into the inventory of the Soviet Red Army on May, 1945. The IS-3 appeared in the victory parade through the city of Berlin on 7th of September, however, it did not see much action at the front because the war in Europe was mostly over. Adolf Hitler had taken his life and the German capital has fallen under the control of the Soviet Army. Only a few pockets of the German war machine were still continuing the fight, so not much left to deal with.
But it was different in the Pacific because the Soviets were still fighting against Japan. It was said that an IS-3 regiment was deployed in August 1945 in the Far East (mission unknown). By the end of that month the Japanese empire would surrender signaling the end of the war in the Pacific and WWII.
At the time that the Second World War ended, the IS-3 was the most advanced war vehicle of its kind. The Soviets continued producing the IS-3 until mid-1946. About 2,311 units were completed. All the IS-3s in existence were inventoried by the Red Army. The tanks were in the Soviet stockades (it's allies as well) during the years of the Cold War. Even the Western powers had their eye on the IS-3 especially because this tank was a key influence in Soviet tank design in the twenty years that followed.
The IS-3 has a distinctively stout, low-set profile with a curved turret. Somehow its appearance recalls that of an upside-down frying pan. The rifled barrel is long with muzzle break that is double-baffled. The side track on either side has 6 road wheels. The drive sprocket is aft with 3 track return rollers and the idler is held in forward position. The rear compartment is where the V2-IS engine is located while the turret is forward. The heavy chassis was powered by the 520 horsepower engine capable of a top speed of 25 mph. Its range is 115 miles. The IS-3 weighs about 45.77 tons, was 32 feet, 4 inches long and eight feet high. It can be operated by four personnel.
The entire tank body was protected by 20mm - 230mm thick armor which would make it nine inches at the thickest areas. Aside from the armor, the IS-3 was equipped with the D-25T series main gun (121.9mm) and was formidable indeed. Enemy forces loathed attacking it from the front. Its primary weapons were 28 rounds of projectiles (122mm). The secondary armament was a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun which carried 250 rounds. The IS-3 also had one to two 7.62mm anti-infantry machine guns which carried 756 rounds.
The IS-3's design was a step forward in a number of areas. However, it was still beset with mechanical problems much like other heavy tanks of that size. With regard to its operational abilities, the power pack was very unreliable. The transmission systems and engine were both prone to failure. These defects as well as a few matters concerning the hull were possibly due to the speed by which the Soviets pushed for its design & production. It is therefore not surprising that quality control problems would arise. Because of these limitations, a set of upgrades were done, intended to improve certain areas. Some of the improvements made were on the clutch mechanism, road wheels, and new radio equipment. The improvements added to the total weight of the tank by four tons and this additional burden hampered the IS-3's performance a bit.
The Red Army made good use of the IS-3 from the late 1940s until well into the '50s. During the Cold war, the tank underwent a modernization scheme that helped maintain its relevance. After all, its initial design was meant for the World War 2 stage and the Cold War was very different. A number of modern thoroughbreds eventually succeeded the IS-3 and this formidable war machine was soon retired to the history books. Nevertheless, before her time was ended, the IS-3 served a few foreign armies. Egypt was known to favor the IS-3 and even showcased the tank on parades as seen in 1956. The Israeli military captured a few units and these were reconstituted for use of the IDF. The IDF retrofitted the IS-3 with engines from the T54 tanks. The modification improved the performance level for the IDF and gave it a more modern feel. After China's part in the Korean War, this Communist nation also received IS-3 deliveries. The IS-3 was also used as a trainer for new Soviet tanker models before it was taken to storage. The Soviets maintained the IS-3's designation as the most dominant tank in the whole world. Few war vehicles could dispute this distinction.
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You will enjoy this next footage of man's best friends saying hello to their master soldiers coming home. After you watch this, don't you wonder how there can be individuals out there who make these animal suffer hunger or beating. Dogs are just so faithful if you let them.
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If you've dreamed of flying around in a super tech "Iron Man" suit then you are about to be a happy camper.
MIT Researchers have come together to create a suit that will give the average person "super powers" beyond their wildest dreams. Imagine having superman powers :).
The best thing about this suit is that it will have the ability to heal injuries and put a special healing foam on it. It will also have 360 degree night vision cameras, a bulletproof armor, and be able to change from liquid to solid. I wonder how that stacks up against the recently Google acquired Boston Dynamics robotics company and their inventions.
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The best Harlem shake ever. This helicopter pilot has guts and determination. I won't spoil it for you, but watch out for the twist at the end :). Enjoy.
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Wow, what a wonderful family event. At the Bentley HS homecoming party an enlisted sibling came out to awe her footballer younger brother. I get teary eyed every time I watch this sister/brother reunion.
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Take a look at these guys punishing their enemies. Which one do you like the best ?
Let us know
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This is an amazing story that came out of a war. In Afghanistan 3 dogs saved the lives of 50 men. As a result, two of these dogs were brought home to live with the soldiers that they saved.
Some of our men stationed in Afghanistan made friends with some dogs that were living on the street. Later on, when a suicide bomber tried to sneak inside their camp, these dogs alerted the soldiers to their presence, thus saving their lives. It is to show that dogs don't take sides, they just behave as humans should.
These dogs are truly the best friend that these men could get!
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Just like any other type of technology, military weapons like rifles are also bound to change over time. Throughout history the weapons industry has always been at the head of producing weapons that can create the most amount of damage against an enemy. Rifles originally came out of the industrial revolution and have been used as a way to inflict harm upon one's adversaries, and they were especially effective during WWI and WWII. Nowadays it's not only soldiers who are using rifles, but private citizens also have them as well as a way of protecting one's individual rights. The US, Yemen and Finland leading the way in the percentage of armed citizens. The following articles will show you the best assault rifles that have been produced throughout history based upon how effective they were at the times they were manufactured. They are rated based on their ability to do the most damage against an opponent during the time that they were used.
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This is based on multiple studies focusing on how to rank who has the most powerful military.
We took forty non-identical data points (statistics) and from those created and index we call "Power Index" where the lower value means stronger fighting force. The data we looked at for example told us total number of airplanes, working force and population of the country.
Most countries like to boast of their military prowess but not all can backup their claim as one of the best in the world with data and numbers. However, after the calculations were completed, the top ten were easily visible as the most powerful militaries in the world.
We did not account for nuclear power of the listed countries in the rankings.
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Nations across the globe come up with their highly trained 'special forces' to showcase their strength. A Special Operations Force is a unit of armed forces specifically trained to undertake specialized operations involving high risks which otherwise are 'impossible' for any other unit. A Special Operations Force is simply 'the best of the best'. These forces are the topmost force of their respective nation. Following is the list of the 'top ten' Specops the world. Do not take these guys lightly :):
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Tank Overhaul extends an invitation to a venue where military hobbyists bring together their knowledge with modern tech to bring back the best war tanks that ever existed. From the original parts, to putting them back together, to the intriguing history behind the technological advancements that made each tank amazing, experience as one US tank and one German tank get built again to their former excellence.
Current project: The Elephant - The team hustles to add a Nazi Elephant tank-killer to one of the best tank collections that exists. It was mostly used at the Battle of Kursk and only two of them are left on the planet.
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The gold medal of Honor is hanging around this soldier's neck, but you can see the prosthetic in his hand that catches your attention.
The hand is able to hold a glass or shake someone's hand, just like the one that a ranger used last week to shake President Obama's hand as he became the 2nd living veteran since the sixties to be awarded the highest honor offered by our nation.
These hand movements are all controlled by a motion sensor that is connected to the brain and allows the user to do many normal actions.
When he needs to, the soldier can change his hand to suit different circumstances. When he's doing some work in the kitchen he can take off the hand part and put a knife blade on his arm so that he can prepare food easily for his family.
When he's out with his friends golfing he can attach another special device that helps him hold the golf club correctly so he can swing just as well as the other players.
"I'm not the best player in the world, but I have a good time" the soldier said in a meeting with the press. "I'm able to really relax and have a fun time. Plus I've met a lot of fantastic people doing it."
The soldier lost his hand when he was trying to grab a hand grenade and throw it in another direction. By doing that he saved the lives of two fellow soldiers and was awarded a medal at the White House.
When he was a child he always saw the medal as something that would be an honor to be awarded. However, when he won it he felt completely overwhelmed because of all the attention he was receiving.
Over the last week he travelled all around, including visit to Ground Zero, and also waving to fans at a baseball game in New York.
But it is his new hand that has gotten the most looks, showing some of the improvements in military technology that are letting more injured veterans to serve on after injury in the military.
"I just want to say that your hand is pretty awesome before we get into the show," said a famous show host before he began an interview with the soldier.
The soldier stated his experience with the advances in military medicine came when he was first in a hospital for burn victims and amputees.
"When I walked around the place I was amazed. I couldn't even tell the difference when I saw a guy with a fake leg when he had pants on," the soldier said. "I was amazed. The technology has come so far that there's nothing that they can't do."
He also has been brought down to earth by the "great moods" of other soldiers with medical problems much worse than his. In his current job he helps injured military personnel from all areas and their families.
He gives advice to soldiers and also assists families set up transport, meals and a place to stay.
But he, even after being injured, wanted to go back to serve. Earlier this year he went back to the Middle East for his 8th tour in a war zone.
"Over the past couple of years I've been seeing the other men training, and it's fantastic to finally be back and serving again," he said.
"The most difficult thing about this was having my wife understand why I wanted to go back. She said that I had already lost so much, why would I want to go back?"
The soldier said to her that his risk isn't any more than the other soldiers already over there serving.
She responded by saying that she knew it was important for him and that he should be with his men.
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You might not be aware, but the Allied pilots during the second World War called the mysterious things they saw in the air over Europe and the Pacific "Foo Fighters". They first saw these in late 1944 when planes operating in German airspace saw quick circular objects that seemed to glow in pursuit of their planes. They described these as being on fire and orange, white, or red. They were even described as looking like the lights you'd put on your tree at Christmas. Tried as they could, they couldn't fly away from these lights or shoot them down.
Of course with all the technological advances of the time, these mysteries were taken seriously by the military since they might have been some top secret weapon created by the Nazis or the Japanese. The best scientists of the time tried to figure out what they were, but it was never solved. Unfortunately the military has never released this top secret information the the public, so it remains a mystery.
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There are many individuals who carry guns who have never drawn the weapon. In fact, many of us don't want to. But if the situation calls for it, we must be ready to respond. If there is a threat, we must learn to be responsible and choose a weapon that we can depend on.
Folks say that pea-shooting rimfires do them just fine. Others prefer the J-Frame that goes inside their boot while a 1911 is securely locked at the hip. It really depends upon the personal preference, because you will get different answers from a group of shooters when you ask them to share with you what they think is the best gun to carry around.
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The history of warfare has shown us that it is not always true that the guys with bigger guns win, but in this case, it could be concluded true. These armored tanks were compared based on their firepower, the ability to protect, mobility and factor of fear at their time in history.
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