When it comes to the semifinals of our search for the greatest piece of military hardware, gimmicks need not apply.
Three heralded pieces of war machinery — the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Abrams tank and A-10 "Warthog" — buried their opponents in their respective Military Times Battle Bracket regional finals, each racking up more than 80 percent of the vote. The fourth semifinalist is a literal bomb-thrower: The Mk 19 grenade machine gun, which downed the Marine "knife hand" by piling up the most votes by an entrant in a single round so far this contest.
The wins set up two showdowns for a spot in the tournament final: Ship vs. tank on one side of the bracket, plane vs. launcher on the other. Voting ends Friday; click here to cast your ballot, and read on for some numbers to know as the tournament winds down.
070920-N-0535P-264 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 20, 2007) - Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) transits through the Atlantic Ocean. Truman is currently underway conducting carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay C. Pugh (RELEASED)
Photo Credit: MC2 Jay C. Pugh/Navy
79.9:
1975:
2:
Spc. Patrick L. Noel of Cincinnati, Ohio, continues to fire as his assistant gunner, Spc. Philip J. Gavin of Newark, Ohio, personal security detail soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, feeds ammunition to their MK19 grenade machine gun during qualification at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss., Nov. 16, 2011. The 37th IBCT is deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Kimberly Lamb/Army
41.3: The knife hand's vote percentage in its last outing. It performed far better than the other quarterfinal losers — the Apache, Stryker and Close-In Weapons System — and had a raw-vote total on par with the winners of those other contests. Still, despite its meme-friendly nature, the blade's run reached its end.
Eight, maybe? Six? Four? 30?
Already made your decision? Campaign for your favorites on social media with the hashtag #BattleBracket.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
