Overview
The M48 Patton is the US Armed Forces main battle tank in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam — confirmed in closed beta footage as one of two playable gun tanks at launch, alongside the NVA’s T-54. The M48 was the primary US medium tank deployed in Vietnam, operated by both US Army and Marine Corps units, and saw heavy action throughout the conflict.
Historical Background
The M48 Patton entered service in 1953 and became the backbone of US armoured operations in Vietnam. It served extensively with both the Army and Marine Corps, operating in an environment that challenged conventional tank doctrine — dense jungle, narrow roads, and an enemy more likely to use ambushes and RPGs than opposing armour.
In practice, the M48 was used less for tank-on-tank combat and more for direct fire support of infantry — clearing tree lines, bunker busting, and escorting troops through contested terrain. Its 90mm main gun and coaxial machine gun made it a devastating fire support platform when used with infantry protection.
Crew
The M48 operates with a three-person crew:
- Tank Commander — coordinates the crew, operates on the command channel, and calls targets and routing
- Driver — controls movement and hull positioning; keeps front armour facing the enemy
- Gunner — operates the main gun and coaxial MG; responsible for ammunition selection
See the Tank Commander and Crewman guides for full crew roles and responsibilities.
Damage Zones
Vehicle damage in HLL: Vietnam is modular. The M48 has four confirmed damage zones:
| Zone | Effect when damaged |
|---|---|
| Hull | Overall vehicle health — track this to gauge overall condition |
| Engine | Stops the tank when destroyed; must be repaired to 100% and restarted |
| Tracks | Limits mobility; tank remains functional but slower |
| Main Gun | Reduces or removes main armament effectiveness |
Armour and Engagement Principles
The M48 follows the same armour fundamentals as all HLL tanks:
- Front armour is thickest — always keep the hull facing the threat when trading fire
- Rear armour is most vulnerable — target enemy rear armour for the most reliable penetration
- Angled shots can ricochet — aim for perpendicular shots on the target’s rear or side; shallow-angle hits may glance off entirely
Ammunition
As gunner, loading the correct round is critical:
Armour Piercing (AP) — use against the T-54 and any armoured target. Penetrates vehicle armour reliably.
High Explosive (HE) — use against infantry, bunkers, and light unarmoured targets. Will not reliably penetrate enemy tank armour — switching to AP before engaging a T-54 is essential.
Specific calibre, shell types, and reload times will be confirmed and added here after launch.
Tactical Role in Vietnam
The M48 in HLL: Vietnam mirrors its real-world role: direct fire support for infantry, not independent armoured operations. A tank that outruns its infantry screen will be destroyed by NVA anti-tank teams before it reaches the objective.
Key principles:
- Advance with infantry — never push ahead of your foot soldiers; they screen you from AT infantry
- Hull-down when possible — use terrain to expose only the turret, protecting hull armour
- Call your route — tell nearby Officers where you’re heading so infantry can coordinate
- Request Engineer repairs early — don’t wait until the tank is critical before calling for a field repair
Counter-Play (as NVA)
The M48’s strongest face is the front. NVA players engaging an M48 should:
- Target the rear armour — coordinate AT infantry to force the crew to choose which threat to face
- Use tunnel exits behind the tank’s current position — unexpected rear attacks from tunnels are the most dangerous scenario for any M48 crew
- The T-54’s AP rounds should be used exclusively against M48 armour — HE is ineffective against tank armour
Repairs
The M48 can be repaired two ways:
- Repair station — withdraw to a friendly repair station for a full repair
- Engineer — request field repair from an Engineer; slower but keeps the vehicle in the fight without withdrawing
Specific Stats
Full armour values, engine specs, main gun stats, and ammunition data will be documented here once confirmed after launch.
Related
- T-54 — the NVA counterpart
- Tank Commander — crew role guide
- Crewman — crew role guide
- Anti-Tank — the primary infantry threat to the M48
- Đắk Tô Airfield — confirmed map where armour operates