Tank origin

The appearance of updated German tanks such as the Tiger II during World War II led the U.S. to re-evaluate its heavy tank strategy. Development of the T34 heavy tank started in 1945. The tank was a successor to both the T29 and T30 and featured a 120mm anti-aircraft gun. Ultimately, it was developed too late to enter mass production for wartime use. However, its design along with the design of the later T43 influenced the M103 heavy tank, which the U.S. fielded during the Cold War.