What Leonardo da Vinci invention is commonly called his armored tank?

Leonardo da Vinci’s armored tank is commonly called Leonardo’s fighting vehicle.

Leonardo designed the fighting vehicle in the late 15th century, probably while seeking military patronage from Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. The vehicle was a conical, armored platform with sloping plates intended to deflect enemy fire. It was fitted with multiple light cannons around its perimeter.

The vehicle was powered by people turning cranks inside it. Some modern reconstructions have pointed out that the surviving drawing appears to contain a gearing problem that would prevent the machine from moving as shown. Historians debate whether this was an intentional safeguard or simply an error in the design.

Calling it a “tank” is convenient but anachronistic. Leonardo’s machine was not a modern tracked tank: it had no engine, tracks, or enclosed fighting compartment in the modern sense. It is better understood as a proposed armored fighting vehicle.