The M22 Locust was an American light tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1941, and serial production continued in the period 1942-1944. In total, 830 examples of this vehicle were built. The M22 Locust was powered by a single carburetor engine Lycoming 0-435T with 162 HP . It was armed with a single 37mm M6 cannon in the turret and 1 Browning 1919 7.62mm machine gun.
In May 1941 US airborne forces placed an order for a new tank for parachute troops. As a result of the work on this project, the M22 Locust tank was created. The new tank was to be light, of course, and therefore poorly armored, with a crew of three and armed only with a light 37mm gun. Despite many months of tests and implementation into serial production, the M22 Locust turned out to be completely incompatible with the requirements set for it. First of all, the American airborne forces did not have an aircraft or a glider capable of transporting the new tank, and its loading, unloading and preparation for combat after transport by a C47 aircraft took over three hours! As a result, the M22 was never used in combat by US troops. However, it came under the Lend-and-Lease program to Great Britain, which had more powerful gliders and used the M22 Locust for Operation Varsity in March 1945. After 1945, some of the tanks were handed over to Egypt, which in turn used them in the war with Israel in 1948-1949.
The M22 Locust was an American light tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1941, and serial production continued in the period 1942-1944. In total, 830 examples of this vehicle were built. The M22 Locust was powered by a single carburetor engine Lycoming 0-435T with 162 HP . It was armed with a single 37mm M6 cannon in the turret and 1 Browning 1919 7.62mm machine gun.
In May 1941 US airborne forces placed an order for a new tank for parachute troops. As a result of the work on this project, the M22 Locust tank was created. The new tank was to be light, of course, and therefore poorly armored, with a crew of three and armed only with a light 37mm gun. Despite many months of tests and implementation into serial production, the M22 Locust turned out to be completely incompatible with the requirements set for it. First of all, the American airborne forces did not have an aircraft or a glider capable of transporting the new tank, and its loading, unloading and preparation for combat after transport by a C47 aircraft took over three hours! As a result, the M22 was never used in combat by US troops. However, it came under the Lend-and-Lease program to Great Britain, which had more powerful gliders and used the M22 Locust for Operation Varsity in March 1945. After 1945, some of the tanks were handed over to Egypt, which in turn used them in the war with Israel in 1948-1949.