The engine was situated conventionally at the rear of the design. The main gun sported a double-baffled muzzle brake while 76mm shells were housed at the floor at the front-right of the hull. The initial 14.5-ton (Short) pilot vehicle was given a 76mm main gun in a two-man turret with a complete crew of three - a driver in the front hull and commander and gunner in the compact turret assembly. In response, AAI Corporation began private development of a light tank hopeful of US Army interest. This gave rise to the Rapid Deployment Force/Light Tank (RDF/LT) specification requirement of 1980. One key ingredient in such a conflict would be rapid response and fluid mobility of forward operating forces and, to this end, the US Army sought to field a lightweight tank that was air-transportable and made ready within minutes of disembarking.

Despite the advent of nuclear weapons, it would most likely remain a conventional war fought with conventional equipment utilizing the latest in technologies. As such, World War 3 would most likely focus in Europe and, like World War 2, rely heavily on mass armor formations fighting for control of key positions. In 1980, the Soviet Empire still remained the enemy of the day for America and her allies.

Modern light tank concept