The M551 "Sheridan" AR/AAV (Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle) was a light tank developed by the United States and named after General Philip Sheridan, of American Civil War fame. It was designed to be landed by parachute and to swim across rivers.

The M551 Sheridan was the Army’s last attempt to produce an effective light tank. The origins of the Sheridan, named after GEN Philip H. Sheridan (1831-1888), date back to February 1957 with the establishment of the Ad Hoc Group on Armament for Future Tanks or Similar Combat Vehicles (ARCOVE).

The M551 Sheridan: A Missile-firing light tank The Sheridan was one of these developments tailored to explore a tactical theory and put it to the test. At the time the perpetual chase between armor and weaponry seen lost in favor or the new ammunitions, and the tactical possibilities introduced by lighter missiles met US Army Ordnance ...

Mar 21, 2024 · Summary: The M551 Sheridan light tank, remembered as both an innovative yet flawed weapon system, has left a gap in the U.S. Army’s force structure since its withdrawal in the 1990s.

Apr 29, 2023 · The M551 Sheridan Light Tank, an ambitious project designed to deliver powerful armored support to U.S. troops, ultimately fell short of its potential due to various design and operational issues.

Jan 31, 2025 · The U.S. Army's new M10 Booker replaces the Cold War-era M551 Sheridan, shifting from an anti-tank role to direct infantry support. Here’s how past lessons shaped its modern design.

Dec 19, 2024 · The M551 Sheridan, an air-droppable light tank, served the U.S. Army from Vietnam through Desert Storm. Designed for reconnaissance and airborne assault, it featured a 152mm gun and MGM-51 Shillelagh missile system, …

Jan 5, 2021 · Here’s What You Need to Know: Troops in the field appreciated the Sheridan for being where it was needed. The M551 Sheridan light tank is largely remembered as a curiosity, an innovative weapon...

Sep 1, 2024 · Summary and Key Points: The M551 Sheridan, a U.S. Army light tank used from 1969 to 1997, exemplified the role of light tanks in specialized military operations despite its flaws.

May 3, 2021 · The M551 General Sheridan (or simply "Sheridan") was a light-armored and heavily-armed portable tank system utilized by the United States Army. The system evolved from the need to counter a similar Soviet design of the time and was thrown into combat deployment during the Vietnam War.