What Leonardo da Vinci war machine was designed as an armored vehicle with guns on all sides?

Leonardo da Vinci’s fighting vehicle was an armored vehicle designed with guns on all sides.

Leonardo sketched the fighting vehicle in the late 15th century, probably while seeking patronage from Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. The conical, covered body resembles a modern tank, with a ring of light cannons pointing outward. The sloped shell was intended to deflect incoming projectiles and protect the crew.

The vehicle was supposed to move through the coordinated turning of internal cranks connected to wheels. A famous drawing appears to show a mechanical error: some gears would rotate in opposing directions, preventing movement. Historians debate whether this was deliberate, perhaps hiding the design from casual readers, or simply an error in the sketch.

Calling it the first tank can be misleading. It had no engine, and Leonardo did not demonstrate a completed vehicle. Its importance lies in combining armored protection, mobility, and all-around firepower in one design.