Fruehauf LARC-15

     Notes: The LARC-15 was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s to provide the US Army with a means to deliver larger cargoes and amounts of troops to shore from assault ships, and inland if necessary. In the US Army, its role has been taken over by helicopters, and the job of amphibious warfare largely taken over by the US Marines, and thus the LARC-15 is seldom seen in the US except in civilian hands or in museums.  The Germans and the French also once used the LARC-15, but theirs have also been retired long ago.  Most active LARC-15s are in the service of scientific or exploratory agencies and no longer used by the military.

     The LARC-15 is essentially a large amphibious truck with a 4x4 off-road suspension, and a boat-like hull made from aluminum plates over an aluminum framework.  The LARC-15 looks like its backwards, with the cab at the rear of the vehicle, the engine underneath the cab, and the cargo section up front.  The driver normally stands to operate the vehicle. The design allows cargo and troops to be offloaded quickly after the LARC-15 is driven ashore.  The bow has a ramp over which a longer ramp with retractable rollers may slide out if necessary.  The LARC-15 is also low enough to be easily loaded with forklifts, and the cargo section is large enough to accept standard NATO CONEX and MILVAN containers or equipment of a similar size.  The LARC-15 is propelled by a single four-bladed propeller in the water and steered by a combination of a rudder and the wheels; on land, the driver may choose 2-wheel drive (for road use), 4-wheel drive, or crab steering, where the wheels may be turned virtually sideways and the LARC-15 driven at slow speeds to the sides.  The LARC-15 is powered by a pair of 300-horsepower Cummins diesels, with one powering each side of the craft. The transmission is automatic, with the driver only selecting high, medium, or low range.

Pacific Car and Foundry LARC-60

     Notes: One of the largest of the “amphibious trucks” ever designed or produced, the LARC-60 was designed in the early 1950s for the US Army to deliver large amounts of troops and/or heavy cargoes to beach landings and beyond.  Once used by the US Army, the LARC-60’s role was made unnecessary by the heavy-lift helicopter and hovercraft-type beach assault vehicles; in addition, the amphibious warfare role in the US military was basically made the exclusive province of the Marines in the 1960s.  The original designation for the LARC-60 was the BARC.

     The LARC-60 has a large boat-like hull, with an additional 4x4 suspension underneath.  The bow has a hydraulic ramp in front to unload troops and cargo; in addition, a further ramp may be extended that has retractable rollers to make the loading of cargo into the hold easier.  Like the LARC-15, the LARC-60 looks “backwards,” with the crew compartment at the extreme rear and the cargo hold up front and taking up most of the vehicle.  There are a total of four GM 6-71 265-horsepower diesel engines, one over each wheel and powering that wheel exclusively (though there are provisions for the other engines to take over the work of a damaged engine).  In the water, the LARC-60 is propelled by a pair of propellers; in this case, the two engines power each propeller.  The tires of the LARC-60 have a central tire pressure regulation system.  The transmission of the LARC-60 is automatic; shifting the gears of the four engines would be a nightmare otherwise.  While the standard Load figure is listed below, the LARC-60 can carry an emergency overload of 100 tons in both water and on land.  This is extremely stressful on almost every component of the LARC-60, and the maintenance figure for the vehicle should be doubled in any period that an overload is carried.

     The LARC-60 was never exported to any other countries’ militaries, and it has long been out of use in the US Army.  Most have gone to scrapyards or museums or private collections by now, but a very few are still operating here and there in roles ranging from scientific exploration to oil exploration to tour vehicles.

AM General M54

     Notes: This medium 6x6 truck is the immediate predecessor of the M809 5-ton truck (the standard 5-ton truck listed in the Twilight: 2000 Version 2.2 rules).  Most statistics are similar, and in fact the M813 is merely an upgraded M54 (which is, for that matter, merely an upgraded M39).  The M54 entered US service in 1950, and large numbers were still used by the time of the Twilight War.  The standard vehicle has wooden side rails in the cargo bed that are removable, and a removable canvas cover.  Some of these vehicles have a front-mounted winch with a capacity of 9.07 tons.  Variants include a dump truck, a tractor-trailer that can tow 13.6 tons, a long wheelbase version with a 6.15-meter cargo bed (the M55, below), a wrecker, a version with a fully enclosed cargo body, and an expandable-side version, and a truck that carries bridging components.  Some of these trucks have a ring mount over the commander's position for a weapon.  Note that if the M54 or M55 sticks to roads, it can haul 9.07 tons, similarly, the M54 and M55 can tow 6.8 tons cross-country, but 13.61 tons on roads. The M54 and M55 are powered by a Cummins NHC-250 250-horsepower multifuel engine, contained in a unitary powerpack.

     This vehicle is in use by the US and countries that have received American aid or have been US allies.

     The M54A1C is a version of the M54 with drop sides, allowing them to be loaded from the sides with forklifts. The M54A1C is otherwise the same as the M54 for game purposes. The M55 does not have a drop sides version.

Caterpillar M520 Goer

      Notes: This vehicle was formerly the US Army’s standard heavy tactical truck before its replacement by the HEMTT, and it was still found in large numbers in National Guard and even some Reserve units.  It never served outside the US Army however, and was thus a relatively rare vehicle outside of US units.  The Goer is somewhat of an oddity among trucks, being amphibious and articulated.  The front unit is independent of the rear cargo area; the truck can flex and is very sure over rough terrain.  In the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the Goer developed a reputation of being able to go where other trucks could not, and it was one of the preferred resupply vehicles after its introduction in 1966.  They achieved a 90% availability rate even though spare parts for the Goer were not an official part of the US Army inventory until 1971.  The front-mounted cab has a canvas cover over a tilt, and the windshield could be folded forward.  The front of the vehicle has a winch with a capacity of 4.54 tons and 61 meters of cable.  Some of these vehicles (M877s) are equipped with a material-handling crane with a capacity of 4 tons.  A kit was available that added a ring mount for a weapon over the commander’s position, but this was not a standard installation. The engine is a Caterpillar D333 turbocharged diesel developing 213 horsepower. Steering and brakes are power assisted. The suspension is 4x4.

     The M559 is a fuel tanker version of the M520.  Modifications include a sealed stainless-steel tank in place of the cargo bed and four discharge hoses (two 189 liters per minute, one 375-liter per minute, and one 1135-liter per minute)

     Variants include a wrecker able to tow or recover a 10-ton vehicle. The Goer was replaced in US Army service by the HEMTT (below).

FMC M548

     Notes: This logistics carrier is based on the chassis and automotive components of the M113 series armored personnel carrier.  It does not have armor, but instead carries large loads over terrain too difficult for wheeled load carriers.  The number of variants is almost bewildering, ranging from a basic load carrier to radar and electronic warfare variants to minelayers to missile carriers such as for Lance ballistic missiles or the Chaparral SAM system.  There is a cab for the crew with doors on either side, and the rear area is accessed by a rear that has double watertight doors.  The cargo area is covered by a canvas tilt over bows.  The base M548 is amphibious; however, after many sinkings, the amphibious capability of US M548s was removed and water crossing barred by policy.  At the front of the vehicle is a winch with a capacity of 9.07 tons.  Over the commander’s position is a ring mount for a weapon; normally, an M2HB is used, but a weapon does not come with the vehicle.

     The M548 is powered by a 204-horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V53 engine.  The M548A1 uses the same engine uprated to 215 horsepower. The M548A1E1 is a little-produced stretched variant of the M548A1, about 0.66 meters longer and having one more roadwheel on each side.  It is powered by a 6V53T turbocharged diesel engine developing 300 horsepower. The M4548A3 has the same improvements as the M113A3, including the 275-horsepower turbocharged engine, an Allison X200-4 automatic transmission, a driver’s station with a steering yoke and gas and brake pedals, and the fuel tanks in the rear on either side of the door. The M548A3’s cab is also protected by an NBC Overpressure system.

     The M548 of various models is used by some 19 nations; in addition, ISIS is known to have captured and is using two M548s from Iranian units operating in Iraq.

M809

     Notes: This is the standard 5-ton truck described in the Twilight: 2000 Version 2.2 rules.  However, the statistics given are not exactly correct.  Alternate statistics are given below.  The standard vehicle has all-metal construction, with a drop tailgate, removable wooden fence-type side rails, and a tarpaulin cover.  There were three wheelbase models: the short wheelbase version was used for tractors and dump trucks, the standard long wheelbase was used for cargo trucks, wreckers and bolsters, and the extra long wheelbase was used for long cargo trucks, tractor wreckers, and expansible vans. The M809 could have a winch in the front bumper with a capacity of 9.07 tons. The M809 series is powered by a Cummins NHC-250 240-horsepower diesel engine, with a manual transmission.

     The M813 is the standard cargo version of the M809 series. The M813 could not be loaded from the sides with a forklift, so a variant called the M813A1 was devised, with drop sides.  It is otherwise the same as the M813 for game purposes. The M814 is the version of the M813 with an extra long wheelbase and a 6.2-meter cargo bed.  There were no drop sides versions of the M814; designed specifically for large, long cargoes, there were no troop seats fitted, but a version with troop seats added on is presented below. The cab is the same as on the M54, but the hood is longer as the engine is larger. This cab may be hard-topped or soft-topped, and the windshield may be folded forward.

     The M809 has many variants, including a model with drop sides, a long wheelbase version, a wrecker, a tractor-trailer which can tow 17 tons, an expandable van, a bridging transporter, and various hard cargo area versions which are used as workshops, command posts, or communications vehicles.  Some M809s have ring mounts above the commander's position for a weapon.  The M809 series is in use by the US and countries that received US aid or are US allies; some 35 countries use the M809 series. An undisclosed number were supplied to China in the early 1990s.

AM General M939

     Notes: This series of 5-ton trucks is based on the M809 series; in fact, a significant portion of the M939 series trucks (the M939A0 versions) are actually M809 series trucks with a Product Improvement Package applied to them.  They are improved in three basic areas, the transmission, the transfer case, and the brakes.  As the transmission on the M809 was under capacity and mismatched to the output of the engine, it was replaced on the M939 to prevent the engine from overspeeding.  In addition, this new transmission is automatic instead of the manual transmission of earlier US trucks.   The new transfer case is pressure-lubricated and has the ability to shift into 6x4 mode to conserve fuel.  The new brakes are air brakes, which have four times the life of the shoe-based brakes on the M809.  In addition, the noise in the cab was reduced, and for the first time, a heavy US military vehicle met the Surgeon General's requirements for noise.  Some M939s has a winch in the front bumper that has a capacity of 8 tons with 80 meters of cable.  The engine is the same as on the M809 for M939s and M939A1s, but on the M939A2 it is a much lighter Cummins 6CTA8 240-horsepower turbocharged diesel.

     The M939 uses standard tires, with dual wheels on the rear axles.  The M939A1 and A2 instead use single wheels with oversized tires on the rear axles; this gives the M939A1 and A2 better mobility on soft ground. In addition, the M939A2 has a CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System). The M809 had an unusual air-over-hydraulic brake system; the M939 series uses a commercially available all-air system modified where appropriate for military use. Starting in 1999, M939A2s were fitted with an antilock braking system. Like the M809, there are three wheelbases available – the short wheelbase, used for tractor trucks and dump trucks; the long wheelbase, used for standard cargo trucks and wreckers; and the extra long wheelbase, used for long cargo trucks and expansible vans. The standard cargo truck is the M923; with a winch, this becomes the M925.  Both have drop sides, a canvas cover over bows, and a drop tailgate. The M927 was the extra-long wheelbase version; with a winch, it was the M928. This version did not have drop sides. Like the M814, it did not have troop seats as standard, but they were an option.

     There are many variants of the M939 series, including the basic cargo, long wheelbase cargo, a dump truck, a tractor-trailer, an expandable van, a hard-bodied van, a wrecker, and a tanker (with fuel and water variants).  About 40,000 of these trucks were produced between 1981 and 1992 for the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and a few other countries.

Oshkosh M977 HEMTT

     Notes: The HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) is the primary heavy truck of the US Army, and is also used by Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan.  It is designed for heavy loads and rough terrain.  The rear set of wheels and the front set of wheels steer separately, allowing for a tighter turning radius than might otherwise be expected from a truck of the HEMTT’s size.  The cab is a forward control type; in the A0 and A2 versions, it is basically a plain vanilla cab (though with excellent visibility) with an optional armor kit.  The A4 version uses the slightly larger cab from a PLS A1 truck, which has integrated floor armor, optional all-around armor, a roof hatch with a machinegun mount, and air conditioning. The A0 and A1 are powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA diesel engine developing 445 horsepower. A DDECIV version of this engine powers the A2; this is identical for to the A0/A1 for game purposes, but the main difference is that the A2 engine is electronically controlled and configured, and this (at the GM’s option) may allow the A2 to accelerate faster and get better fuel milage. (I have a difference in Fuel Consumption listed below.) The DDECIV engine is also easier to maintain, as you can hook a computer up to it and see everything that is wrong or mis-timed with the engine. The A4 uses a Caterpillar C-15 515-horsepower diesel. A0s and A1s are equipped with an Allison HT7400 4F/1R automatic transmission. A2s have an Allison HD 4560P 6F/1R automatic transmission. A4s use the Allison 4500SP 5F/1R automatic transmission. The brakes and steering are power assisted. All axles have differential locks. Suspension on all models except the A4 is leaf springs; the A4 has air suspension, which means that the suspension may be configured to the load.

     The M977 is a basic cargo truck. It comes in A0, A2 and A4 models, and has a material-handling crane with a capacity of 5 tons. The M978 is a 9500-liter capacity tanker; only 18 water tanker versions were produced, and there were only A0 and A4 variants. The M983 is used to tow Patriot missile system components. The M984 wrecker is the only an A1 variant; it is currently found in US Unarmored Recovery Vehicles. The M985 is a cargo variant specialized to support the M270 MLRS, and generally tows an M989A1 HEMAT trailer. The M985 GMT (Guided Missile Transporter) is the same as the standard M985 but supports the Patriot missile units.  Current models are A4s. The M1120 LHS (Load Handling System) variant is equipped with a Multilft Mk 5 10-ton material-handling crane; instead of a cargo bed with sides, it has a flat cargo area with lockdown and tiedown points. They consist of rebuilt and re-equipped M977 cargo trucks, and come in A2 and A4 variants. The M1977 CBT (Common Bridge Transporter) is a further development of the M1120, and is also a rebuilt M977.  It is used to transport and deploy Ribbon Bridges, and comes in A2 and A4 variants. The M1142A2 is an airfield fire fighting truck. The M1075 is used to transport and launch components of the THAAD missile system. The HEMTT A3 was an experimental variant powered by a diesel-electric hybrid engine.

*Only the cab is so protected; the rest of the truck is AV1.  The cab’s floor is AV4Sp.

Oshkosh M1074/M1075 Palletized Load System (PLS)

    Notes: These vehicles are heavy 10x10 PLS/DROPS trucks designed to carry a number of standardized NATO pallets and containers, similar in concept to the German MAN 7t truck listed in the NATO Combat Vehicle Handbook.  The primary difference between the two is that the M1074 is equipped with a material-handling crane with a capacity of 1.77 tons, and the M1075 does not have this crane. Both versions have a winch with a capacity of 9.07 tons and A-frame over the front of the vehicle that pulls cargo onto the load bed by means of rollers.  The entire truck can be unloaded in less than one minute without the crew leaving the cab of the truck.  An optional feature is a hatch on the roof of the cab with a machinegun mount. The PLS is not normally set up for passengers, though an improvised load may be carried; this number is shown below.

     Both trucks are 10x10 drive vehicles, with steering on the rear and front axles. The original trucks were powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA DDECIV turbocharged diesel developing 500 horsepower; current, A1 variants are powered by a Caterpillar C-15 600-horsepower turbocharged diesel. Original PLSs are fitted with an Allison CLT-755 ATEC 5F/1R automatic transmission, while A1 variants are fitted with an Allison HD-4500 Gen 4 automatic transmission. Steering axles are on an air-sprung suspension, while other axles use leaf springs. The original cab is an adaptation of the M977 HEMTT’s cab; the A1 versions use a variant of the HEMTT A4’s cab.  The same armor kit as on the HEMTT is available for the PLS’s cab. The Multilift Mk 5 LHS (Load Handling System) is a sort of winch/crane-type unit that pulls cargo onto the cargo bed, either ISO containers up to 6.1 meters long and 10 tons, or flatracks up to the same length and weight, onto the cargo bed.  Vehicles that fit onto the cargo bed can also be transported. The cargo bed has several lockdown/tiedown locations to secure the cargo onto the cargo bed.

     One variant is equipped with Engineer Mission Modules (EMMs) with possibilities including the M4 Bituminous Distributor, the M5 Concrete Mobile Mixer, and the M6 Dump Body.  These modules allow the rapid construction of roads, airfields, and other hard-surface facilities. The PLS may also carry a HEMTT tanker body. Another variant can carry the Heavy Dry Support Bridge system.

*Only the cab is so protected; the rest of the truck is AV1.  The cab’s floor is AV4Sp.

Oshkosh Mk 23 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR)

     Notes: This is basically the USMC’s equivalent of the US Army’s MTV.  It is not, however, the same vehicle.  The MTVR will replace existing 2 1/2-ton and 5-ton trucks in the US Marine inventory.  The MTVR is all around a better truck, with greater load-carrying capability, a more powerful engine, automatic transmission, and a stronger construction. It can be transported in any transport aircraft the size of the C-130 or greater, and in a stripped-down condition, inside a CH-53 helicopter, or sling-loaded in normal order.

     There are nine variants and one subvariant of the Mk 23.  The Mk 23 is the basic cargo truck; the Mk 25 is the same truck with the addition of a 9.07-ton capacity winch in the rear. The Mk 27 is an extended wheelbase version of the Mk 23; the Mk 28 is the same truck with a winch in the rear. The Mk 29 is a dump truck version; the Mk 30 is the dump truck with a winch. The Mk 31 is a tractor truck variant. The Mk 36 is a long wheelbase wrecker variant. The Mk 37 is a dedicated ammunition resupply version for the HIMARS MLRS. The Mk 38 is a trailer, also used for resupply of the HIMARS; it uses as many components of the Mk 23 series as possible. The Mk 28C is a base platform for a variety of the Special Purpose Vehicle types, and has a long wheelbase. These special vehicles include tankers, earth augers, and modified COTS bodies.

     The Mk 23 is constructed of high-strength aluminum and steel members and panels, except for the hood, which is fiberglass. The cab folds down to reduce height for travel in aircraft, and can take an add-on armor kit. The cab remains reducible with the armor kit installed. The roof of the cab has a hatch with a mount for a weapon. The Mk 23 is powered by a Caterpillar C-12 Advanced Diesel Engine Management (ADEM) engine which develops 425 horsepower, coupled with an Allison HD 4070P automatic transmission. The suspension is 6x6 and has independent coil spring suspension for each wheel.  The Mk 23 has a Central Tire Inflation System. The Mk 36 and 31 have hydraulic suspension on their rear axles.

     The primary users of the Mk 23 series are the US Marines and Navy. There is limited evidence that Egypt may operate some Mk 23 series vehicles. Greece uses 73 Mk 27 chassis, with the first 18 being equipped as wreckers with equipment supplied by Israel, and 40 being used as resupply vehicles for Greece’s Leopard tanks. Iraq operates an unknown number of the Mk 23 series; ten of these were captured by ISIS, one of which was turned into a VBIED and triggered at an unknown location. Britain was the first export country for the Mk 23 series; these are all modified into water and fuel tankers.

*Only the cab is so protected; the rest of the truck is AV1.  The cab’s floor is AV4Sp.

Oshkosh Mk 48 LVS

     Notes: The Mk 48 is a heavy 8x8 truck used by the US Marines since 1983.  It is also known as the LVS (Logistics Vehicle System) and the “Dragon Wagon” by the Marines. It is a long vehicle of cabover construction.  The cab has a roof hatch with a weapon mount, as well as a heater.  The engine is behind the cab.  The vehicle has excellent cross-country mobility.  The LVS is able to haul 22.5 tons on roads.

     Variants include the basic cargo/troop carrier (Mk 48/17), a flat-decked logistics platform (Mk 48/14), a recovery vehicle (Mk 48/15), a self-loading transporter (Mk 48/18) and a tractor truck that may pull a 14-ton trailer (Mk 48/16). The Mk 48 is designated by the Mk 48 designation and the Mk xx of the body the Mk 48 is equipped with, as in Mk 48/17 for the basic cargo body, consisting of a Mk 48 truck and the Mk 17 cargo body (with Material Handling Crane). The Mk 48A1 has slight but significant upgrades to the Mk 48 design: a revised battery box, an extra cab entry step on both sides, a modified air intake cover, and added handles and steps to ease climbing on the top and sides of the truck.  For game purposes, the Mk48A1 a is otherwise identical to the Mk 48.

     The Mk 48/14 is a flatbed unit which has a 6.1-meter cargo bed that features numerous lockdown and tiedown points for cargo.  It is optimized for carrying ISO containers and SIXCON units. One Mk 48 can tow an additional Mk 14 module; this is known as a TT configuration (Tandem Tow). The Mk 48/17 is a shorter (4.9 meters) flatbed equipped with a Material Handling Crane (MHC) with a capacity of 6.8 tons. The Mk 48/18 is a self-loading flatbed able to carry things like ribbon bridges, boats, smaller containers, and SIXCON modules.  The front of the load platform has a “stick-figure”-shaped Front Lift Adapter (FLA), which does the loading. Adding benches to the these three variants is possible; however, this is rare, as truck transport of Marines is generally done by the Mk 23 MTVR and HMMWVs.

     The Mk 48 is powered by a Detroit Diesel 450-horsepower engine with an Allison automatic transmission. (Other sources have this powering as by a Cummins C-12 425-horsepower diesel; I have decided to go with the entry on Wikipedia, which is a newer source.) The cab is a derivative of that of the HEMTT and M1074/1075.  It carries two crew and has a hatch in the roof with a ring mount for a weapon.  The cab may mount add-on armor modules. The Mk 48 is configured into a Front Power Unit (FPU) coupled with a Rear Body Unit (RBU).  The FPU may be driven on its own.

*Only the cab is so protected; the rest of the truck is AV1.  The cab’s floor is AV4Sp.