United Defense AAVR7A1

     Notes:  Originally designated the LVTR7A1, this vehicle is the recovery version of the AAVP7A1 amphibious APC used by the US Marines and other countries.  (The US Marines, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Venezuela use the AAVP7A1 and the AAVR7A1.)  The cupola of the AAVP7A1 is not present on this vehicle; instead, the AAVR7A1 has a mount on the commander's position for an M-60D machinegun.  On the right side of the hull is a crane with a telescoping arm that reaches 6.55 meters and can lift 6 tons.  The winch is at the rear and has a capacity of 13.61 tons.  Also installed in the vehicle is an air compressor, 5 kW generator, workbenches, welding gear, and a complete range of tools.  A tent comes with the vehicle that can be erected at the rear to extend the workspace.  A range of commonly-used spare parts is also carried, including often a powerpack on top if necessary.

     The engine and transmission are removable as a unit, like on the AAVP7A1.  The lifting capacity of the crane is approximately that of an AAVP7A1's power pack.  The driver is on the front left behind the glacis plate and has a single hatch that opens to the rear. He has vision blocks to the front and left side; one of the front vision blocks may be swapped out for night vision block.  The commander is to the rear of the driver and has a cupola with all-around vision blocks.  The commander's cupola is high enough that he can fire over the open hatch cover of the driver. The crane operator is opposite the commander on the right side, and also has a raised cupola with all-around vision blocks.  The entire crew are mechanics and recovery specialists. At the rear is a power-operated ramp.  Over the top of the repair is a large hatch, but normal means of exit and entry are via the ramp with its door set in it.

     Applique armor is commonly used today, and consists of corrugated aluminum sheets on the sides and front.  The extra weight means that a bow plane has to be used when swimming, and one was added for this purpose, which is operated by the driver from inside his position.

     The AAVR7A1 is fully amphibious, powered in the water via water jets.  The jets have deflectors enabling the AAVR7A1 to turn in the water.  If a slower, more controlled transit is desired, the water jets can be shut off and the vehicle propelled in water via its tracks, which is the second swimming speed listed below. Engine is a Cummins VT-400 developing 400 horsepower.  The transmission is manual, but with a power assist.

     Newer versions under the AAV RAM/RS Program version use an M-2A1 Bradley engine, including a manual transmission and conventional driving controls.  The engine develops 525 horsepower. The suspension was made a variant of the Bradley’s suspension, capable of carrying the increased load and incidentally giving the AAVR7A1 a smoother ride while increasing spare parts commonality with the Bradley. This version was originally to be called the AAVR7A2, but came out with the official designation of AARV7A1 RAM.  A concurrent program, the AAV SUP (Survivability Enhancement Program) gave the AAVR7A1 enhanced side armor and an enhanced bottom armor plate, as well as improved Kevlar-sheet anti-spalling liners, NBC Overpressure with a vehicular NBC backup and integrated blast-resistant seats.  Another improvement initiative, the SAIC, gives the AAV7-series a new automatic transmission, further improved armor including MEXAS armor modules, an upgraded suspension, new, more powerful water jets, an upgraded driver’s position, and a BMS with GPS as well as thermal imaging for the commander and a machinegun which may be aimed and fired from under armor. Both of these initiatives were initially to be applied to only a fraction of the total number of AAV7-series vehicles, but with the EFV many years behind schedule and threatened by budget cuts several times per year, more AAV7-series vehicles have both the RAM and SUP upgrades.  Vehicles with the SUP initiative do not a different designation, and are identified solely by looks.  SAIC was applied to much more AAV7-series vehicles from the beginning. Some 64% of the AAV7-series fleet will eventually receive all three upgrades, as well as a number of minor upgrades; only 7 of these, so far, the full set of upgrades have been done on AAVR7A1s.. 

     There are clusters of five smoke grenade launchers on either side of the glacis plate. The AAVR7A1 can wear the appliqué of the AAVP7A1, except for the turret appliqué (as it has no turret). Crew includes three mechanics (and the vehicle crew are also mechanics), a driver, and a commander, who has a manually-operated cupola and a pintle-mounted machinegun.

     Delays in the EFV means that the AAV7-series will be in service at least until 2030.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

AAVR7A1

$249,957

D, G, AvG, A

8 tons

23.64 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 w/Appliqué

$243,248

D, G, AvG, A

8 tons

25.64 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 RAM

$244,071

D, A

7.77 tons

24.95 tons

5

13

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 SUP

$244,714

D, A

7.28 tons

26.92 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 SAIC

$1,017,237

D, A

7.13 tons

27.52 tons

5

24

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

AAVR7A1

101/71/28

20/20/5 (4)

647

111

Stnd

T3

HF10  HS7  HR5

AAVR7A1 w/Appliqué

108/75/19

30/21/5 (3)

647

111

Stnd

T3

HF10  HS10Sp  HR5

AAVR7A1 RAM

148/104/27

41/29/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF12Sp  HS12Sp  HR6

AAVR7A1 SUP

139/98/25

39/27/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF12Sp  HS15Sp  HR6*

AAVR7A1 SAIC

137/96/25

38/27/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF16Cp  HF18Cp  HF8**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

AAVR7A1 (Applique, RAM)

None

None

M-60D (C)

850x7.62mm

AAVR7A1 SUP

None

None

M-60D (C)

1700x7.62mm

AAVR7A1 SAIC

+2

Fair

M-60E2 (C)

1700x7.62mm

*Floor Armor is 5Sp.  Roof Armor is 4.

** Floor Armor is 7Sp.  Roof Armor is 5.

 

BAE M-1 ABV Assault Breacher

     Notes: Though cancelled in the US Army, the US Marines saw great promise in the M-993 Grizzly CEV with its plethora of obstacle clearing tools. Though the Army decided to cancel it, the Marines decided to develop their own, similar version, the Assault Breacher.  The Marines have nicknamed this the Shredder.  It’s first large-scale use was as a part of ISAF.  In addition to clearing obstacles, it can create obstacles and dig fighting positions; one of its primarily roles in Afghanistan was to dig up and detonate mines and IEDs with its specially hardened buckets and mine plow.  The Marines have a total of 52, on the way to a projected total of 189.  The success of the ABV has led the US Army to take a second look at the Grizzly; 189 were ordered by the US Army in favor of the Grizzly in 2012. In fact, five are on loan to the US Army for use on the Korean DMV. The ABVs are essentially the Marines’ equivalent of the Grizzly, but do not have a Grizzly’s capabilities and general utility, being optimized for minefield breaching.

     The turret is replaced with a special superstructure; it looks like a turret, but is not. The superstructure is, however, basically a locked-down turret that has been enlarged and modified for its new role. The chassis is an M-1A2 SEP hull, with some turret internal accouterments in the superstructure. The superstructure sides and rear are festooned with armored lockers, as is the back. In normal use, the superstructure is covered on the front and sides with ERA blocks.

     The ABV uses a more powerful 20kW APU, which is under armor to reduce its thermal signature.  The engine used is the 1500-horsepower Honeywell AGT-1500 gas turbine engine, coupled to an automatic transmission. In fact, as much as possible, the chassis and turret have been retained, though of course the top of the hull and the now nonrotating turret have been heavily modified.

     The ABV has a smoke grenade cluster on either side of the front of the superstructure. The normal crew is two men, with the commander/tool operator on the front superstructure with a machinegun able to be aimed fired, and reloaded from within the vehicle, hatches closed.  The driver is in his normal place inside the front center. Some ABVs have been further modified with an RWS-type station armed with an M-2HB and a Mk 19, both of which can be aimed, fired, and reloaded from under armor.  The RWS mount can of course, rotate 360 degrees.  The ABV has air conditioning, heating, and an NBC Overpressure system; it also has BMS and a GPS setup. The ABV carries a large amount of explosives and gear, used also for blowing IEDs in place and clearing or creating obstacles manually.

     The plow is 4.5 meters wide and hinges to a V-shape or a straight plow. The plow may also be angled one way or the other. The plow’s bottom edge has dozens of high-strength steel teeth for ripping and uncovering IEDs and mines  well underground – and the blade may be angled as necessary in relation to the ground. Reaching over the dozer blade, and able to angle to almost 270 degrees, are arms able to dig up large IEDs.  Their most important function, however, is as mine detectors and electronic fuze disruptors – They are 80% likely to disable fuzes within 30 meters of the ABV, and detect mines and IEDs. They are able to take an IED or mine blast to various degrees. The Shredder carries two MICLIC launchers on the rear deck.

     A negative side of the ABV is that it requires a large amount of maintenance for both its chassis and turret, but also for the plow and subsystems.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

ABV

$2,462,321

D, G, AvG, A

400 kg

65.32 tons

2

39

Image Intensification (D, C), Thermal Imager (C)

Shielded

ABV w/RWS

$2,629,037

D, G, AvG, A

400 kg

65.47 tons

2

41

Image Intensification (D, C), Thermal Imager (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

ABV

159/111

44/31

1920

558

Stnd

T6

HF262Cp  HS34Sp  HR27Sp

ABV w/RWS

159/111

44/31

1920

558

Stnd

T6

TF 8Sp  TS6Sp  TS6Sp  HF262Cp  HS34Sp  HR27Sp

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

ABV

+1

None

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50, 2000 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

ABV w/RWS

+2

Fair

M-2HB, Mk 19 (G)

2000x.50, 200x40mm, 2000 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

*The ABV has ERA lugs on the front and side of the superstructure, as well as on the track skirts.  The front and sides of the superstructure are normally equipped with ERA.  The version with an RWS can also take turret RAM on all sides. The floor armor of the ABV is 20Sp.  The dozer blade can protect against frontal hits, and it has an AV of 16Sp.

 

BAE M-2A2 ODS-E E-BFV

     Notes: What that giant acronym means is that this vehicle is the engineer squad vehicle version of the M-2A2, with Operation Desert Storm modifications.  Some are also M-2A3 E-BFVs, allowing them to interoperate with Bradley BCTs that are based on the M-2A3; the object is commonality of spare parts. The E-BFV is designed to interoperate with Bradley BCTs and to keep up with the line of march (or move ahead of them in some cases), and maintain the momentum of assaulting forces.

     The E-BFV can be equipped with the following devices: a mine roller, a mine plow, or mine flail.  It also has an automatic lane marker system (which may also be manually operated), and electronics which allow it to use a small robot to check and if necessary, detonate mines and IEDs.  The lane marker assembly consists of two boxes of lane markers on the rear sides of the vehicle, and two on the back of the vehicle on either side of the ramp.  The mine plow is a sectional blade which may be configured into a straight blade to clear obstacles, create obstacles, push into buildings, reduce fortifications, and dig fighting positions.  As a V-shaped blade (it is hinged in the middle), it functions to push mines and IEDs aside and occasionally detonate them.  As an angled blade, it operates as cross between the other two types of blades.  The lane markers each have 48 marker flags, and serve to designated safe corridors for the vehicles that follow the E-BFV; they are fired into the ground far enough for them to remain upright and may be placed on automatic deployment at a given interval or deployed manually in groups of one or more on each side of the E-BFV. Other tools carried include a chainsaw, rotary cutter, and various pioneer tools and construction tools.  The E-BFV normally tows a trailer that carries extra equipment and supplies, a MICLIC system, or a minelayer mechanism.

     The biggest difference between the E-BFV and the standard M-2A2 ODS or M-2A3 is the lack of a TOW missile launcher in the box on the left side of the turret.  Instead, the E-BFV carries additional observation equipment such as LLTVs (at the front and back of the box, a FLIR, and a 2nd Gen Image Intensifier.  The rear LLTV is accessible to the driver, and the rest to the gunner and the sapper squad leader via a downlink to a small LCD screen. The E-BFV has a non-lethal (but not eye-safe) laser designed to deactivate mines and IEDs on the surface of up to 250 centimeters below the surface.  Note that the latter generally requires having the fuze or center of the mine marked and is therefore not often done.  The laser can also disperse crowds or enemy squads by temporarily blinding them. For disposal of obstacles, IEDs or mines, and to blow holes in buildings, the sappers may elect to dismount and blow them manually, using the 30 kilograms of C4 and the equivalent of three engineer demolitions chest.  The 25mm Bushmaster autocannon is also retained, in addition to the coaxial machinegun and an a CROWS for the commander. Raised above the turret and driver is a wire cutter to keep them from injuring exposed crewmembers.

     The E-BFV is, on paper anyway, designed to carry an engineer squad of six.  Experience and testing show that with all the equipment carried, a squad of four is more like it. The crew has a small computer with engineer manuals and tips as well as specs on their vehicle.  It has NBC Overpressure along with a vehicle air flushing system.  On each side of the turret are two clusters of four smoke grenade launchers. The vehicles have a 15kW APU to run the sensors and tools when the engine is off.

     Being a variant of the M-2A2, the following features are common to the two. Lugs for reactive armor blocks are found on the upper sides of the M-2A2 as well as on the glacis.  These lugs can also mount bolt-on appliqué armor, bolt-on spaced armor, or the new slat armor if desired.  The weight of the M-2A2 increased so much that it is no longer amphibious, and the trim vane and flotation screen have been removed.  However, to cope with the increased weight, the VTA-903T was replaced with an upgraded version of the same engine, developing 600 horsepower. The ODS (Operation Desert Storm) upgrades, with such modified vehicles informally called M-2A2ODSs, included an improved, eye-safe laser rangefinder, the addition of a GPS system, an IFF system, thermal imaging for the driver, and a system to jam radio-guided and IR-guided missiles (regarded as only partially effective, but better than nothing).  The missile jamming system consists of sensors to detect incoming missiles and automatically put out low-grade radio-jamming signals, launch flares and IR-defeating smoke grenades.

     M-2A3 E-BFVs have the upgrades of the M-2A2 ODS.  In addition, they have a BMS with GPS and Link-16. The commander has a full flat-panel display/touchscreen and computer control; the gunner and driver have touchscreens of their own that display information appropriate to their roles.  In the passenger compartment, mounted on a bracket that is against the turret basket but not actually attached to it (i.e., it does not rotate with the turret), is another large display to provide the dismount squad with information on the battlefield situation and allow them to plan, receive and provide updated information. Along with this capability, GPS and an INU (Inertial Navigation Unit) have been added.  The M-2A3 has a computer (which has been steadily upgraded over time) to allow it to quickly receive, integrate, display, and send real-time battlefield information; commanders therefore (usually) know where their units are and their status; the Bradley is therefore a true counterpart to the Abrams on the digital battlefield.

     Other improvements a CIS (Commander’s Independent Viewer), similar to the CITS of the M-1A2 Abrams III.  The commander also retained the ability to see through the gunner’s sight.  In addition, the commander’s thermal imagers were replaced with long-range FLIR systems more akin to those found on aircraft and helicopters. The M-2A3 has an automatic dual target tracking ability, and as the gunner’s sighted target is destroyed, the turret can be set to rotate automatically and the gun trained automatically on the commander’s sighted target.  Fire control s also improved (the system called the IBAS – Improved Bradley Acquisition System), and boresighting is essentially automatic instead of requiring a stop and extensive adjustments.  The gunner’s sight (the TAS – Target Acquisition System) has received particular attention in the fire control department.  The main gun and coaxial machinegun is better stabilized and the ballistic computer improved (able to tap into, to a small amount, the primary computer of the Bradley).  The TAS uses a 2nd-generation FLIR and a day TV/image intensification device, with a digital zoom from 4x to 48x, and twice the field of view of the zoom sights of earlier Bradleys.  The day TV/image intensifier sees in near-infrared as well visible light, making it usable even in heavy smoke, IR-obscuring smoke, and conditions of low thermal contrast where FLIR imaging would be of little use.

     The turret roof of the M-2A3 has a thin layer of added titanium alloy armor, as Desert Storm operations revealed the turret roof to be the weakest surface of the vehicle.  As an adjunct to the electronic IFF system, the Bradley accommodates special panels on the sides of the vehicle made of the special aluminum alloy.  These panels, when viewed through thermal imagers or FLIRs of the proper wavelength, gives off a heat signature that provides a further deterrent to fratricide.  The M-2A3 includes a special cooling system for the vehicle’s electronics, but experience in Iraq has led to low-power air conditioning to be fitted to the M-2A3 (and some M-2A2s still in service) to relieve the stifling heat that builds up inside the Bradley.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

$6,351,906

D, A

900 kg

27 tons

3+4

21

2nd Gen Image Intensification (C), Image Intensification (G), LLTV w/Image Intensification (SQL), Thermal Imaging (D, G), FLIR (C)

Shielded

M-2A3 E-BFV

$1,4912,497

D, A

900 kg

28 tons

3+4

25

Thermal Imaging (D), FLIR (C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G), LLTV w/Image Intensification (SQL)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

134/94

37/26

662

191

Trtd

T4

TF11  TS8  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6Sp

M-2A3 E-BFV

151/106

42/29

662

222

Trtd

T4

TF11  TS8  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6Sp

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

+3

Fair

M-242 Bushmaster Autocannon, M-240C, 6xM-231 PFW

900x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 3070x5.56mm, 20 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

M-2A3 E-BFV

+3

Good

M-242 Bushmaster Autocannon, M-240C, 6xM-231 PFW

900x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 3070x5.56mm, 20 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

*Floor Armor is 7.  For the M-2A3 E-BFV, the Roof armor is 7.  The E-BFV may take ERA, Bar/Slat armor, and appliqué armor, including MEXAS. The sides and front of the vehicle are, in fact, normally equipped with ERA.  The E-BFV can also be equipped with the BUSK kit.

 

FMC CESV AEV

     Notes:  Also known as the MTVE, this vehicle is similar to the Canadian M-113 ESEV, but based on the larger MTVL chassis.  The CESV's ramp may be used as a working platform, and may hold 1.1 tons.  It has the same hydraulic auger that may dig in earth, asphalt, and frozen ground to a depth of 3.048 meters and 203mm wide; hydraulic power tools (a chainsaw, jack hammer, impact wrench, jaws of life, round saw), a welding set, and an engineer demo chest.  In addition, several lengths of rope and wire cable are carried, along with snatch blocks and hooks. The CESV is also equipped with a light turret; its weapons and the rotation of the turret may be taken over by the commander and the weapon aimed and fired by him.  As of 2012, only seven CESV vehicles have been built.  The vehicle has a compact APU developing 7 kW, located on the right rear roof.

     Like a standard MTVL, the vehicle has a 6V-53TIA Detroit Diesel Electronic Control (DDEC IV) turbocharged intercooled and aftercooled engine developing 400 horsepower.  Transmission, and like the MTVL and M-113A3, is has a steering wheel instead of tillers.  Like the MTVL, it has stryofoam blocks on the sides to support it while swimming; these are enclosed in light aluminum.  The fuel tanks are on either side of the door with an AV of 4; under the floor are special rupture-resistant fuel tanks. The glacis and sides are equipped with lightweight titanium-alloy panels, giving it more armor protection without too much of a weight penalty. The glacis also carries appliqué armor blocks and the floor is made from spaced laminate steel. A Kevlar anti-spall liner has also been installed.

     The CESV has ballistic protection a greater standard, to a similar level as the M-2A1 Bradley's hull.  This allows the CESV, along with its mobility, to keep up with and destroy obstacles. It also has additional protection against mines, more based on the survivability of the crew and not the vehicle.  The gunner sits under a Rafael OHWS containing two machineguns (but an alternate installation on some CESVs replaces the M-2HB with a Mk 19 GMG), with a special rangefinder with ballistic computer, and night vision devices.  This is on the top of the vehicle, on the front right side. The commander sits to the left of the gunner in a cupola, though he has a ring of vision blocks on the roof and a night vision device. The driver is in the usual place for the MTVL, on the front left side behind the glacis plate; he also has a night vision channel.  The rest of the crew is also in the hull, though the commander sits on the center front slightly to the left; the rest of the engineers site on the right side. There is a hatch in the ramp, and a large hatch on the roof.  A domed adjustable ventilator is behind the roof hatch. Though there is room for the commander and up to seven engineers, generally only five are carried. The CESV has a vehicular NBC system; the crew’s protective masks can be connected to this by long hoses (though not long enough to allow them to leave the vehicle), 40 kilograms of C4 and an engineer demolitions chest are also carried, though the engineer demolitions kit components are generally broken up and stored in a manner that makes them more accessible.  On each side and to the rear are firing ports, and the vehicle is equipped with air condition, a BMS, and a GPS set.  The vehicle has a bank of four smoke grenade launchers on either side, which may be fired individually or in salvos by the commander.  On the bumpers are four more smoke grenade launchers each; these act as normal smoke and also have a 50% chance of blocking laser designation or rangefinding beams.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was taken into service by the US Army in late 1996 as the M-113A4 Sapper Vehicle.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,324,483

D, A

4.2 tons

18.14 tons

3+7

17

Image Intensification (D, G), Thermal Imaging (G, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

130/91

36/25/4

757

120

CiH

T3

TF3Sp  TS3Sp  TR3  HF10  HS5Sp  HR4*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

M-2HB or Mk 19, MAG

1000x.50 or 320x40mm, 1500x7.62mm, 40 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest.

*Belly armor is 4Sp.

 

United Defense M-9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE)

     Notes:  The ACE is basically a military version of a bulldozer, with an armored body.  It entered the US Army inventory in 1977, and is perhaps one of the most common engineer vehicles in the world.  Most of these vehicles were upgraded starting in 1985 to extend their operational life, and included an appliqué armor package pioneered by the Israelis.  Later production included nearly 200 vehicles for South Korea.  The US Marines also use the ACE, but did not get any until 1995.

     The ACE is a fast vehicle designed to keep up with Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Main Battle Tanks, in order to clear obstacles, create breaches in fortifications, and fill craters and ditches for those vehicles.  The ACE is also used to prepare positions and dig fortifications.  A secondary role for the ACE is the smoothing and creation of makeshift roads and airfields in rough terrain areas, or the destruction and scarring of road surfaces and runways. It is not suitable as an antimine vehicle, due to the absence of a curved blade and the depth of its bucket.

     The ACEs primary feature is its large front-mounted scraper and dozer blade/bucket.  The scraper has a capacity of 6.7 cubic meters, and the dozer blade/bucket can move 8 tons at a time.  The position of the bucket is adjusted by adjusting the vehicle's hydropneumatic suspension. (When traveling at high speed, this suspension gives the vehicle a smoother ride than might be expected from such a vehicle.) The ACE's digging efficiency can be increased by using the scraper to fill the apron behind the bucket with ballast; this can be ejected at any time, and is also used to fill trenches or build up berms. The ACE also has a winch with a capacity of 15.9 tons, and has a 60-meter cable.  The ACE is equipped with a bilge pump for amphibious operations -- it is amphibious with preparation -- but most countries using the ACE have removed the requirement from doctrine that requires the ACE to be swim-capable.  The commander has a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision blocks; the dozer operator also has a hatch above him, with all-around vision blocks..

     Power is provided by a Cummins V-903C developing 295 horsepower; transmission is semi-automatic and steering is by tillers.  Armor is basic aluminum, but is nothing to write home about. The ACE has a tow pintle that also allows several vehicles to be connected to allow for a larger line pull.

     SIP improvements began in 1996.  The base armor is an aluminum-aramid-steel sandwich, and the appliqué adds armor similar to that of the Bradley, along with improvements to the belly armor and increased strength to the tracks.  Other improvements consists of improvements to fix deficiencies in the suspension and treads, and the addition of new access panels to make maintenance easier.  In addition, new filters and filtration methods maintain the complicated and critical hydraulic system of the ACE clean.  The dozer blade has been changed in composition from aluminum to steel, as repair and replacement of the aluminum dozer was coming too often.  The large dozer blade could be folded from inside the cab; folding the blade protects it from damage in cross-country travel, and folding the old blade took a half an hour of outside work from both members of the crew, and is problematic when under fire and a quick withdrawal is necessary.  The winch’s capacity has been raised to 25 tons, and the new winch is two-speed.

     A possible future SIP is an OHWS with an M-2HB, a Mk 19, or both, in addition to a third crewman to operate it.  In addition, air conditioning, a BMS with GPS, and NBC Overpressure are on the idea list. This is listed below as "M-9A2," though this is a designation I am using for this possible future modification and not a real-world designation. A third SIP is being planned, which will increase the reliability of the mechanical and electrical systems, making them stronger and more flexible in their use.  It also provides the ACE with a more powerful engine, a Cummins turbocharged diesel with an output of 400 horsepower.  I have noted this below as “M-9A3” though this not an official demonstration.

     The SIPs are being performed as vehicles come into 3rd echelon or depot-level maintenance.  The Army and Marines are well aware of the vehicle’s vulnerability to ground fire; extra armor has been provided as part of the SIPs and normally, the ACE is protected by a Bradley or LAV-25 when working or traveling.

     Though capable of carrying more crew, the M-9 and M-9A1 normally operate with only one crewmember, and the M-9A2 and M-9A3 with two.

     The ACE is air-portable in any aircraft at least the size of the C-130 Hercules.  There is a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each front corner.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-9 ACE

$420,485

D, A

1.8 tons

16.28 tons

2

14

Headlights

Shielded

M-9A1 ACE

$577,609

D, A

1.54 tons

17.31 tons

2

15

Headlights

Shielded

M-9A2 ACE

$1,596,119

D, A

1.44 tons

17.82 tons

3

20

Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

M-9A3 ACW

$1,596,915

D, A

1.44 tons

17.87 tons

3

20

Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-9 ACE

144/101

40/28/4

507

109

Stnd

T3

HF3Sp  HS3Sp  HR2Sp*

M-9A1 ACE

138/96

38/27/4

507

109

Stnd

T4

HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

M-9A2 ACE

124/87

35/24

507

109

CiH

T4

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

M-9A3 ACE

155/109

43/30

507

148

CiH

T4

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-9A2/A3 ACE

+2

Fair

M-2HB, Mk 19

2000x.50, 500x.40mm

*The dozer blade has an AV of 6, and is 50% likely to be hit is the shot comes from the front, adding to the vehicle's AV.  If the blade is folded, this chance is 25%, but the AV is then 12.

**The steel dozer blade has an AV of 8, and is 50% likely to be hit is the shot comes from the front, adding to the ACE's AV.  If the blade is folded, this chance is 25%, but the AV is then 16.  Floor AV is 6Sp.

 

FMC M-58 Wolf

     Notes:  This is the US Army's current standard smoke generation vehicle, along with the M-56 Coyote.  It is also used by several of America's allies. It uses a tactical smoke generator of the 1994-2000 period type on the latest M-113A3 chassis, featuring large area multispectral obscurants.  It has the RISE improvements that are normally fitted to the M-113A4.  This allows for greater speed to keep up with Bradley and Abrams formations.  The Wolf uses smoke fuel and fog oil tanks twice as large as the standard tactical smoke generator.  The Wolf has two large rotatable exhaust pipes for the smoke generator.

     The commander and driver are in the same positions as on a standard M-113A3.  The third crewmember is the smoke equipment operator, who sits at a panel of instruments and controls, on the center right side facing to the rear. He has a cupola above him. The driver has a hatch above him, with vision blocks to the left and front; the front one has a night channel, along with the center block of the commander. The rear ramp and door remain, but they act primarily as access doors to the generation equipment. There are also access panels on either side.  The commander can aim and fire his machinegun with the hatch closed. The crew has vehicular NBC hookups for its crew. The third crewmember is inside the hull.

     The engine is that of the M-113A4 – a 275 horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V53T turbocharged diesel, with an automatic transmission and conventional driving controls.

     The SGS is currently able to, on one tank of obscurants, able to produce 90 minutes of visual obscuration and 30 minutes of IR/Thermal obscuration. (Future improvements in the obscurants include the blocking of MMW.)  The Wolf may be charging at full speed, turning sharply or widely, and other such moves while laying down the screen. (The driver and commander have uncooled FLIR viewers to deal with the smoke.)  The SGS operator can lay the screen as haze, blanket, or curtain (the thickest smoke). A raised area on the roof makes room for the SGS while also allowing access and replenishment of obscurants. The obscurants emerge from a funnel-shaped pipe at the right rear of the deck. The SGS may use the appliqué armor of the M-113 series.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$727,808

D, A

300 kg

13 tons

3

13

FLIR (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

163/114

45/32/5

400

104

Stnd

T2

HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

M-2HB (C)

2000x.50

 

GDLS M-60 AVLB

     Notes:  This is an armored vehicle-launched bridge most commonly found in US service (by the Army and Marines), and is also used by Germany, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, and Taiwan.  As the name suggests, most are based on the M-60A1 main battle tank, with a bridge that has a capacity of 54.43 tons; some are based on an M-48A3 or A5 chassis that has been brought up to M-60A1 standards, or the chassis from the retired M-60A2 (and all are identical for game purposes).  Current plans call for a slow-rate replacement by the M-104 Wolverine, though Congress and the President have killed the M-104 more than once (only to arise from the dead). Export operators include Egypt, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, and Spain.  It should be noted that the M-60 AVLB is not capable of keeping up with modern fighting vehicles on a swift march, and normally one or two fighting vehicles “guard” it (and other such vehicles that are needed but can’t keep up).

     The scissors-type bridge may cross a gap of 18.29 meters, and takes 3 minutes to deploy and 10 minutes to recover.  It is made of high-strength aluminum. The bridge is a scissors-type bridge, and thus the bridge hinge is raised high into the air during its deployment. The trackway is 3.81 meters wide; each treadway is 1.75 meters. It is normally used for MLC 60 vehicles max, but a (very) limited amount of MLC 70 traffic may cross; each such vehicle that exceeds the MLC 60 limited have a 1% chance of permanently damaging the bridge so that it cannot be recovered. If the M-60 AVLB reduces the gap to be spanned to 15 meters, it can allow MLC 70 vehicles to cross without danger of damaging the bridge. Such heavy vehicles may cross only at one-quarter normal speed. As the bridge deploys, stabilizers also automatically deploy at the front of the vehicle. These stabilizers are raised off the ground so the AVLB can cross its own bridge, then the AVLB turns around, puts the stabilizers back on the ground, and the stabilizers automatically retracts and stow themselves as the bridge is recovered. By itself, the bridge weighs 13.38 tons. 

     The M-60 AVLB chassis is virtually identical to the M-60A1; the turret is. Of course, removed and replaced with the bridge and its deployment machinery. The automotive characteristics and most of the chassis is unchanged from the M-60A1 chassis, with a Continental AVDS-1790-2DR turbocharged diesel developing 750 horsepower, with an automatic transmission and suspension by torsion bars, and shock absorbers on the front and rear pairs of roadwheels. Army versions have clusters of four smoke grenade launchers on each fender; Marine M-60 AVLBs have clusters of five.

     The M-60 AVLB has a crew of two – the driver and the commander, who doubles as the bridge operator.  There is a tightly-cramped tunnel between the driver’s and commander’s position, and each has a small space beside them for personal items (though not nearly all will fit).The bridge may be deployed from the driver’s or bridge operator’s position. The crew does not have to leave the vehicle or open the hatches to deploy or recover the bridge, though it is preferred that the TC get out of the vehicle and acts as a ground guide.  The crew compartments have NBC Overpressure and a heater; later improvements (after the 1991 Gulf War) added an air conditioner and improved the reliability of the vehicle mechanically and electrically in general.  Even later improvements (early 2000s) added a BMS and GPS.  These did not have special designations, though for game purposes I have labeled then Upgrade 1 and 2.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-60 AVLB

$605,148

D, A

200 kg

55.21 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 1)

$605,483

D, A

200 kg

55.23 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 2)

$1,130,489

D, A

200 kg

55.78 tons

2

26

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-60 AVLB

118/83

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 1)

118/82

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 2)

117/82

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

*The CiH configuration refers to the AVLB with the bridge mounted.  If the bridge is deployed, Config is Stnd.

 

GDLS M-60 AVLM

     Notes:  The M-60 AVLM (Armored Vehicle Launched MICLIC) began as a field modification of a standard M-60 AVLB during Desert Storm. The bridge is removed from the vehicle, the bridge deployment machinery retracted, and up to two line charge machinery of a standard M-58A3 MICLIC (Mine-Clearing Line Charge) trailer is mounted on top of the hull at the rear.  This allows a mine-clearing solution much more mobile than a trailer while carrying the ability for follow-up shots, as well as allowing the engineers to be better protected than in a truck, HMMWV, or even APC towing a trailer.  It is also less vulnerable than a trailer-mounted solution.  For the time being, these modified vehicles are still in service, though some have been converted back to AVLBs.  Operation Desert Storm showed that the M-60 AVLM has some problems keeping up with a maneuver force consisting of Abrams and Bradleys. Like many such specialist vehicles that cannot keep up with the pace of march, the AVLMs are often escorted by tanks or APCs and IFVs.  The AVLM normally operated in an engineer platoon with vehicles with mine plows, combat engineer squads in special vehicles, and vehicles with other specialist gear, along with the protective elements.

     The MICLIC launcher carries two line charges; a further four are carried on the vehicle for follow-up shots, but the crew must leave armor protection to load these charges.  The line charge is fired from the AVLM, and starting 20 meters from the AVLM, a 107-meter long line of C4 charges are laid straight ahead.  Each meter of the charge contains 7.44 kg of C4, for a burst radius of 40 and a concussion value of 11.  Any mines in this radius may be set off, causing their own explosions if they do.  Once all sympathetic detonations have occurred, the AVLM, other vehicles, and personnel may proceed through the cleared area (hoping all the mines have been set off).  In practice, the AVLM is usually followed by a tank or engineer vehicle equipped with a mine plow, roller, or flail, as the MICLIC typically fails to clear up to 50% of the mines in a lane. Normally, two AVLMs set on either side of the line of march, fire their MICLICs, then the mine dozers or flail tanks go in.  A sapper squad checks the area quickly, then the line of march goes in. After that, sappers place markers for subsequent lines of march.  Minefields are a real pain.

     The MICLIC launchers and line charges are carried beneath armored sponsons, which raise along with the line charges and deployment rockets to approximately a 45-degree angle. Reloading a sponson requires 10 minutes and requires four personnel to stand atop the vehicle and reload (two for one sponson).

     The AVLM was a field modification first used during the 1991 Gulf War, and there were never any purpose-built AVLMs, though it was a common modification, and kits were built to allow the modification.  No AVLM M-60 mods were used in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they did not receive the Upgrades that the AVLB version received. The AVLM modification may be accomplished by 4 personnel with appropriate skills and equipment; normally, at least one person on the team must have the Mechanic or Combat Engineer skill, and must pass an Average test.  The modification can be done in 2 hours by those four persons if they have a MICLIC trailer, basic tools, and a crane, whether ground or vehicle-mounted. At any time, the AVLM may be converted back to an AVLB by removing the MICLIC units and re-mounting the bridge.  The operator is normally a Combat Engineer, but the controls are ad hoc and simple and the bridge crew can launch the MICLICs after a short lesson.

     Being a subtype of the M-60 AVLB, is has the same automotive characteristics and most of the chassis is unchanged from the M-60A1 chassis, with a Continental AVDS-1790-2DR turbocharged diesel developing 750 horsepower, with an automatic transmission and suspension by torsion bars, and shock absorbers on the front and rear pairs of roadwheels. They have clusters of four smoke grenade launchers on each fender. The AVLM is normally crewed by sappers.  (One criticism before the Desert Shield and Desert Storm was that the sappers did not receive enough training on what was essentially a new weapons system to them.)  Like the AVLB, the AVLM’s driver position is slightly back from that of the M-60 tank, and in the center of the vehicle is the commander/MICLIC operator.  Internally, the crew positions are identical to the AVLB, except for the control box at the commander’s position.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,025,096

D, A

400 kg

51.33 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

112/78

31/22

1457

271

CiH

T6

TF5  TS5  TR5  HF56  HS15  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

2xMICLIC Launchers

8xLine Charge

 

BMY M-88 Hercules

     Notes:  This is the longtime standard armored recovery vehicle of the US Army, and to a far more limited extent, the Marines.  It is also used by 19 other countries worldwide.  It was in the process of being replaced by the M-88A2 and M-5 in US service and by the M-88A2 in some other countries, but the M-5 was killed in the budget and the M-88A2 suffered a dramatic slowing of the purse strings. The original M-88 was introduced in 1961 and replaced (largely by upgrading) by the M-88A1 in 1977, and the M-88A2 (mostly new-build vehicles) in 1997.  Most Marine M-88s are M-88A1s; they are slowly and steadily building up a stock of M-88A2s, but nowhere near the rate of the Army. The M-88 is a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars; the M-88A1 and A2 were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  The M-88 in its various forms, are used by 23 countries (and almost all of them use the M-88 in its A1 form, though the new Iraqi Army and Kuwait use the M-88A2).  The Egyptians license-produce the M-88A1 and M-88A2. In the US military, some 141 M-88A1s have been replaced by the M-88A2 (out of the 1059 M-81s in the Army), while the Marines lag behind, having put only four M-88A2s into service.  At this time, 850 M-88A2s are scheduled to be produced, but this could change at any time.

     The M-88 is described as a vehicle with something for every mechanic, from the wide selection of tools to an A-frame crane, and a very good heater, room for a recovered tank’s crew, and even racks for things like an M-60 machinegun and four M-136 or six M-72 rockets; as well as the personal weapons of the crew.  The M-88 carries basic, wheeled vehicle, tracked vehicle, small arms, and heavy ordinance tools, an air compressor, a welding and cutting set, and tow bars, ropes, chains, and cables.  The crane may lift 22.7 tons when braced by the dozer blade, or 18.16 tons without using the blade.  The main winch has a capacity of 40.8 tons, or double that with block and tackle.  The auxiliary winch has a capacity of 1.9 tons.  On the M-88 and the M-88 and M-88A1 are normally used by commander and fourth crewmember.

     The M-88 is powered by a gasoline engine developing 750 horsepower; The M-88A1 is powered by a 908-horsepower diesel engine.  The M-88A2 has a 1050-horsepower turbocharged diesel.  The M-88 and M-88A1 have manual transmissions, while the M-88A2 has an automatic transmission.

     The biggest difference between the base M-88 and the M-88A1 is that the M-88A1 is equipped with an 8.1 kW APU.  The M-88A1 also has a fuel pump that allows the vehicle to pump fuel from an external source.  Finally, the M-88A1 has a 19mm hydraulic impact wrench to assist in track maintenance of tracked vehicles. It is also powered by a diesel engine. The APU is also powered by diesel (and later, JP8).  The M-88 series can refuel other vehicles from its own fuel tanks, but there is a 10% chance per refueling operation of clogging the M-88s fuel filters, since an operation draws the fuel from the bottom of the tanks and contains the sediment that collects on the bottom. It has the battery and engine power to slave start even an M-1; the APU can also be used to jump-start vehicles. The APU can also be used to jump start engines. The dozer of the M-88 series can also be used to dig larger fighting positions or conduct general earthmoving. The M-88 has a 10kW gasoline-powered APU; the M-88A1 and A2 use a diesel-powered unit of the same output.  The M-88 series is not amphibious, but can ford bodies of water up to 2.6 meters deep with preparation.

     The M-88A2 is a progressive development of the M-88A1.  The general layout is similar to the M-88A1, but the M-88A2 adds armored side skirts, appliqué armor, stronger suspension, an upgraded engine, improved brakes, and more powerful winches.  The M-88A2 is able to recover and tow a 70-ton vehicle at one-third speed, or a 30-ton vehicle at full speed.  The M-88A2’s crane can lift 35 tons, or 8.4 tons when not braced by the dozer blade.  The main winch is capable of pulling 63.6 tons.  Directly above the main winch is a lead winch (used to assist in deploying the main winch), which is itself able to pull 3 tons.  The fuel pump is able to pump 95 liters per minute.  This vehicle is outclassed by the XM-5 but is much cheaper, and crews familiar with the M-88A1 can use it with ease (and the M-88A2 has not been killed in the budget process).  The M-88A2 is at its limits when towing an M-1 Abrams; the M-88A1 is really straining to do this and more normally, two M-88A1s are used to tow an Abrams.  The M-88 is not capable of this feat.  The crane of the M-88A2 is longer and can be moved from side to side in a limited amount.  The armor has been increased, and the belly armor is likewise dramatically increased. The crew has been reduced to three, with room for a fourth crewmember if necessary for operations.  The four seats for a recovered tank crew are retained. The commander normally operates the tools, with help from the gunner.

     The driver is on the top left; the driver of the M-88 uses a tiller setup, while the M-88A1 and A2 use conventional driving controls.  All three have a power takeoff for the engine, controlled by the driver.  The gunner is in a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision and a heavy weapons mount.  On the center of the rear deck is a hatch for the crane operator and for general overseeing of operations; this is normally used by the commander, and has vision blocks one to the front, two to the left side, and one to the rear.  The M-882 has air conditioning and a heater, as well as an Vehicular NBC system; M-88A1 were retroactively fitted with an air conditioner in the late 1990s.  The M-88A2 was fitted with a BMS and GPS. The crew of the M-88A2 has a small computer that has the tech manuals and bulletins for most Army (or Marine) vehicles. The M-88 series has a cluster of six smoke grenade launchers on the upper glacis on either side; Marine M-88A2 use five-grenade clusters. M-88-series vehicle have two spotlights, one in the rear and one in the front.

     The M-88A2 has suffered from some unresolved problems, such as winch failure when the cable is incorrectly wound around the drum, and problems towing the Abrams in wet, muddy conditions. Crews complain about the lack of armor protection.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-88

$903,224

G, A

3 tons

50.4 tons

4+4

39

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Enclosed

M-88A1

$1,538,581

D, A

3 tons

50.8 tons

4+4

37

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Enclosed

M-88A2

$1,450,471

D, A

3 tons

63.05 tons

3+5

45

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-88

126/88

35/24

1514

417

Stnd

T6

HF7  HS5  HR4

M-88A1

130/91

36/25

1514

337

Stnd

T6

HF7  HS5  HR4

M-88A2

136/95

38/26

1628

390

Stnd

T6

HF12Sp  HS9Sp  HS5*

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

(All)

None

None

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50

*Belly Armor for the M-88A2 is 6Sp.  The dozer blade may help protect the vehicle from the front, depending upon where it is positioned; it has an AV of 4Sp.

 

GDLS M-104 Wolverine

     Notes:  This is a limited production mechanized bridging vehicle based on the chassis of the M-1A2 SEP main battle tank, also known as the HAB (Heavy Assault Bridge).  The shortcomings of the M-60 AVLB are becoming more and more painfully obvious every day, from inadequate speed to an inadequate bridge for heavy vehicles.  The US Army has received 44 Wolverines to date, and the Marines are scheduled to receive some in the future.  Production is a bit slow right now, due to budgetary restrictions.  Currently, the Army does not intend to purchase any more Wolverines, but has the right to order a restart at any time.

     The Wolverine uses the chassis of the M-1A2 SEP tank with the turret removed and replaced with bridge-laying equipment.  Unlike the illustration in the US Army Vehicle Handbook, the bridge is not a three-part scissors-type affair.  It uses a bridge similar to that on the German Biber, but able to hold 70 tons with a length of 26 meters, and allowing a gap of 24 meters to be crossed.  This bridge takes 5 minutes to deploy and 10 minutes to recover, and the crew does not need to exit the vehicle or even open the hatches to do this.  The bridge weighs 10.9 tons, using lighter but stronger construction.  (The bridge is in fact designed by Leguan in Germany, the same builders of the Biber's bridge.) The bridge can withstand 5000 full-speed MLC 70 crossings before needing to be replaced. The M-104 has a 15kW APU to power the bridgelaying mechanism so the engine does not have to be running while the deployment is taking place; this is a 12kW generator.  This includes the lowering of a dozer blade in front of the vehicle for stabilization.  The commander, on the right side of the front hull, operates the bridge controls with simple push buttons, which in part operate a computer assist for the controls.  Deployment can be reversed at any time and the bridge can be recovered from either side of the bridge.  The buttons can also be used to make small adjustments in the deployment of the bridge.  If a trestle is available, two bridges may be laid end to end, with the ends overlapping at the trestle, and a 48-meter gap crossed in this way.

     The driver is in the same place, in the center of the front hull. The Wolverine is equipped with BMS system and GPS. The commander is to the driver’s left.  Both the driver and commander have bridge controls, but the commander usually operates the bridge. The driver and commander have (on opposite sides) a small space for personal gear, able to store something the size of a duffel bag or large rucksack.

     Being an M-1A2 SEP chassis, it has the same Honeywell AGT-1500 gas turbine developing 1500 horsepower. With an automatic X1100 transmission. It carries the same fuel and electrical systems, as well as fire suppression and detection systems.  It has NBC Overpressure.  It has the same armor for the chassis as the M-1A2 SEP's chassis.  The vehicle also has a small computer in the commander’s compartment with engineering solutions related to bridge use.

     The Wolverine was cancelled in 2000, but reinstated in 2004 for low-rate, limited-period production.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was approved for production in 1996.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle was cancelled, reapproved, cancelled, and finally reapproved in 2007.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$2,103,928

D, G, AvG, A

200 kg

70 tons

2

49

Image Intensification (D), 2xWL Spotlights (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

162/114

45/32

1920

556

CiH

T6

TF6  TS6  TR6  HF276Cp  HS38Sp  HR28*

*The Config of CiH is when the bridge is mounted.  When the bridge is deployed, the vehicle’s Config is Stnd.

 

BMY M-578 Light Recovery Vehicle

     Notes:  This vehicle is common in US units that still use the M-113 series as a primary vehicle; it's original purpose, however, was to provide a vehicle able to make rapid barrel replacements on the M-107 and M-110 SP howitzers, whose barrels wore out quickly.  After Desert Storm, VTRs were gradually replaced by M-88-series vehicles. Some 12 countries use or used the VTR.  The VTR is known for its speed and maneuverability and may also be air transported in any aircraft at least as big as a C-130; due to its high speed (at the time), it was often used as an ad hoc cargo transporter.  The VTR was used by some 13 countries, but in most of those, they are out of service.

     More commonly known to troops as a VTR (Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery), the M-578 is a US-built recovery vehicle with a chassis as the M-107 and M-110 howitzers.  The turret, however, is based on the M-109 SP howitzer. The rear-mounted turret has a crane capable of lifting 13.6 tons; I've personally seen one lift an M-113A2 completely off the ground and mechanics inspect underneath it.  The turret can rotate the crane (slowly) while under load, but this is not recommended under a heavy load. The VTR has an integral 10kW generator, a front mounted winch with 70m of cable capable of pulling 27.24 tons (or twice that with block and tackle), and a dozer blade.  The dozer is primarily used to stabilize the vehicle while the crane or winch are operating, but it can also be used to smooth dirt surfaces, or dig large fighting positions. The M-578 can tow up to 35 tons, but is slowed to one-quarter movement at that weight.  The VTR carries sort of a standard tool set for a recovery vehicle: basic, wheeled, and tracked vehicle tools, electrical tools, an air compressor, and things like bolt cutters, excavation tools, and a welding set, along with scads of spare parts.  It does not, however, have an area where is could carry a powerpack or engine, and normally carries these in a trailer. The suspension can be locked, and a dozer blade at the rear stabilizes the VTR during heavy lifts or winching. 

     The VTR is not amphibious, the VTR can ford up to a depth of 1.07 meters.

     The VTR has a driver’s hatch on the front deck, rigger’s and crane operator's hatches (the rigger mans the machinegun and also functions as the TC) on the turret deck, as well as doors on the turret sides and a double door on the rear of the turret.  Both the rigger and the crane operator have manually-operated cupolas with all-around vision blocks. Power is provided by a Detroit Diesel 8V71T 425-horsepower turbocharged diesel, and a manual Allison XTG-411-2A crossdrive transmission. The VTR is not known for its armor protection. It has a vehicular NBC system that the crew can plug into, but nothing like Overpressure.  It went out of service too early to have enhancements like a BMS or GPS mapping.

     Just a note: When I was at 24th ID in 1988, our VTRs were replaced with M-88A1s when we got our Bradleys.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$886,101

D, A

2 tons

24.3 tons

3

19

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

128/90

36/25

984

157

Trtd

T4

TF3  HS3  TR3  HF6  HS4  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)  (L-7A2 (C) on British vehicles)

500x.50 (750x7.62mm on British vehicles)

 

GDLS M-728 CEV

     Notes:  This vehicle was designed soon after the M-60A1 main battle tank was taken into US service.  It was not widely exported, and the only other countries to currently use it are Singapore and Saudi Arabia, though four other countries used it in the past.  Few are still used in the US Army; 29 are used by selected engineer units.  262 are in boneyards, USAR service, National Guard, and certain FBI and ATF uses. In the US, the M-728 was no longer used by active duty units after 2000; Desert Storm taught the military that the M-728 could not keep up with Abrams and Bradley formations, and many were simply used for the initial breach in the berm separating Kuwait from Saudi Arabia and then left behind,  The CEVs were retired without a replacement.  Despite their retirement by the US, the M-728 is still in use by National Guard and a few Reserve units and by Oman, Portugal, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.  A controversial use of the M-728 is by the FBI in the Waco Siege, where is was used to fire CS and CN grenades into the compound. Combat use includes Vietnam, where it was used for close assaults, and Desert Storm, where it was used for bunker-busting.

     The M-728 retains the base M-60A1 chassis (some were made using the hulls of retired M-60A2s hulls), but a new turret armed with a 165mm M-135 demolitions gun is mounted instead of the 105mm gun turret.  This is a very stubby-barreled and short-range weapon based on that used by the British Army’s FV-4003 AVRE, and its best use is to destroy fortifications and tank traps, and to a certain extent minefields, instead of as an antivehicle weapon.  It more spits a HESH round off instead of "firing" the shell. Mounted on the turret is an A-frame crane with a capacity of 15.88 tons.  The crane doubles as a winch, and has 61 meters of cable; it can pull 12.5 tons, and is used mostly to pull items and debris down or out of the way.  At the front of the hull is a large dozer blade; this can be removed and replaced with a V-shaped mine plow or mine rake, or even a mine flail system. The standard plow has an AV of 5, the mine plow has an AV of 5 on the top half and 8Sp at the bottom. The mine rake has an AV of 12; the mine flail has an AV of 14Sp, though mines generally do not harm a mine flail. The dozer blade stabilizes the CEV when it lifts with the crane (items can range from empennage to explosive devices); it can also be used to drop explosives into enclosed areas (such as was done in the Waco Siege). An alternate V-shaped plow may be mounted for use as a mine plow, or the standard plow may be used to dig fighting positions and smooth dirt roads.  The plows can be raised to a vertical position, allowing a load of whatever to dump off when the blade is lowered.

     The normal M-60A1 commander’s manually-rotating cupola is on top of this turret; though of course all crewmembers are combat engineers.  He mans the machinegun. Beside him is the crane operator; he has a standard loader's hatch for an M-60A1.and also acts as the loader for the main gun. The driver is in his normal slot in the center front of the hull. The winch operator doubles as a gunner. The crew has 20 kilograms of C4 to work with, along with an engineer's demolitions kit, along with a liberal supply of fragmentation, concussion, and thermite grenades.

     The M-728 is not amphibious, but can ford up to 2.4 meters.

     Power is provided by a Continental ADVS-1790-2 developing 750 horsepower, and coupled to a manual transmission.  The chassis is essentially identical to the M-60A1. There were several proposals to re-engine the M-728 to regain its mobility; the 1050-horsepower option in particular would have been good for this.  However, re-engining even a large portion of the  M-728s on the rolls was not considered budgetworthy.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Just prior to the Twilight War, the M-728 was being phased out of US service, thought to be overkill in a combat engineer role; however, a need for these vehicles was soon found again and they were drawn back out of the boneyards.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$601,570

D, A

700 kg

53.2 tons

4

31

Passive IR, WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

120/84

33/23

1420

273

Trtd

T6

TF45  TS17  TR13  HF56  HS12  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

165mm M-135 Demolitions Gun, MAG, M-2HB (C)

30x165mm, 3600x7.62mm, 728x.50, 20 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest

 

FMC M-1059A3 Lynx

     Notes:  This was the US Army's standard smoke generation vehicle until adoption of the M-58 Wolf in the mid-1990s; however, it is still being used in Force Package 2 and Force Package 3 units. Many of these vehicles were sold to US allies and other countries using the M-113A2 base vehicle. The vehicle carrier remained the M-113A2, but was sort of a hybrid vehicle as it had most of the RISE powerpack upgrades, but, for example, steering remains by tillers. The SGS used is an upgrade of an earlier SGS. Some were put into heavy modification, to allow them to be re-issued to Force Package 1 (Active-Duty first-line) units.  These modifications are being modified by use of a kit, with some 342 eventually to be modified.

     The M-157A2 is an upgrade of the earlier M-167 SGS.  It produces visual-blocking smoke screens by using duel pulse jets, and can run on diesel, gasoline, JP4, and JP-8); to a lesser extent, is can block IR, image intensification, and thermal imaging (though results will vary with the viewer -- little degradation is experienced by thermal imagers.)  It uses 151 liters in one hour; and the obscurant tank is 450 liters.  The Lynx can run off one smoke generator, but the resulting smoke screen is half as thick. The Lynx uses a tactical smoke generator of the 1986-1993 period type, with tanks twice as big as that of the standard tactical smoke generator.  The generator and its tanks take up most of the room in the M-113 base vehicle that would normally be used for passengers, so no passengers may be carried.  The pulse jet engines and the smoke generation equipment are on two tall boxes on either side of the rear of the vehicle; because of this, the radio antennae have been moved to the front of the roof, 1-3 behind the driver, atop the radios.

     The driver occupies the standard left front position as on the M-113A2; the commander has a standard M-113A2 cupola with a pintle-mounted machinegun.  The third crewmember is the smoke generator specialist; he sits on the right side facing rear where a control panel is. Controls of the SGS is primarily by push-buttons.  He has a hatchway above him. The rear hatch remains, but primarily provides access to the obscurant tanks, and a small amount of personal or other gear.  These are normally retrieved through the door in the ramp; there is no room to slip past the obscurant tanks, and SGS mechanisms. Around the obscurant operator is an empty space where ammunition and personal gear kept; it is not usually strapped outside of the vehicle since it will get obscurant embedded in it.   The commander and driver have special FLIR devices to see through their own smoke, though it blocks enemy FLIR and night vision  and lasers.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$896,717

D, A

300 kg

12.2 tons

3

7

FLIR (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

168/118

47/33/5

360

102

Stnd

T2

HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

2000x.50

 

 

United Defense AAVR7A1

     Notes:  Originally designated the LVTR7A1, this vehicle is the recovery version of the AAVP7A1 amphibious APC used by the US Marines and other countries.  (The US Marines, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Venezuela use the AAVP7A1 and the AAVR7A1.)  The cupola of the AAVP7A1 is not present on this vehicle; instead, the AAVR7A1 has a mount on the commander's position for an M-60D machinegun.  On the right side of the hull is a crane with a telescoping arm that reaches 6.55 meters and can lift 6 tons.  The winch is at the rear and has a capacity of 13.61 tons.  Also installed in the vehicle is an air compressor, 5 kW generator, workbenches, welding gear, and a complete range of tools.  A tent comes with the vehicle that can be erected at the rear to extend the workspace.  A range of commonly-used spare parts is also carried, including often a powerpack on top if necessary.

     The engine and transmission are removable as a unit, like on the AAVP7A1.  The lifting capacity of the crane is approximately that of an AAVP7A1's power pack.  The driver is on the front left behind the glacis plate and has a single hatch that opens to the rear. He has vision blocks to the front and left side; one of the front vision blocks may be swapped out for night vision block.  The commander is to the rear of the driver and has a cupola with all-around vision blocks.  The commander's cupola is high enough that he can fire over the open hatch cover of the driver. The crane operator is opposite the commander on the right side, and also has a raised cupola with all-around vision blocks.  The entire crew are mechanics and recovery specialists. At the rear is a power-operated ramp.  Over the top of the repair is a large hatch, but normal means of exit and entry are via the ramp with its door set in it.

     Applique armor is commonly used today, and consists of corrugated aluminum sheets on the sides and front.  The extra weight means that a bow plane has to be used when swimming, and one was added for this purpose, which is operated by the driver from inside his position.

     The AAVR7A1 is fully amphibious, powered in the water via water jets.  The jets have deflectors enabling the AAVR7A1 to turn in the water.  If a slower, more controlled transit is desired, the water jets can be shut off and the vehicle propelled in water via its tracks, which is the second swimming speed listed below. Engine is a Cummins VT-400 developing 400 horsepower.  The transmission is manual, but with a power assist.

     Newer versions under the AAV RAM/RS Program version use an M-2A1 Bradley engine, including a manual transmission and conventional driving controls.  The engine develops 525 horsepower. The suspension was made a variant of the Bradley’s suspension, capable of carrying the increased load and incidentally giving the AAVR7A1 a smoother ride while increasing spare parts commonality with the Bradley. This version was originally to be called the AAVR7A2, but came out with the official designation of AARV7A1 RAM.  A concurrent program, the AAV SUP (Survivability Enhancement Program) gave the AAVR7A1 enhanced side armor and an enhanced bottom armor plate, as well as improved Kevlar-sheet anti-spalling liners, NBC Overpressure with a vehicular NBC backup and integrated blast-resistant seats.  Another improvement initiative, the SAIC, gives the AAV7-series a new automatic transmission, further improved armor including MEXAS armor modules, an upgraded suspension, new, more powerful water jets, an upgraded driver’s position, and a BMS with GPS as well as thermal imaging for the commander and a machinegun which may be aimed and fired from under armor. Both of these initiatives were initially to be applied to only a fraction of the total number of AAV7-series vehicles, but with the EFV many years behind schedule and threatened by budget cuts several times per year, more AAV7-series vehicles have both the RAM and SUP upgrades.  Vehicles with the SUP initiative do not a different designation, and are identified solely by looks.  SAIC was applied to much more AAV7-series vehicles from the beginning. Some 64% of the AAV7-series fleet will eventually receive all three upgrades, as well as a number of minor upgrades; only 7 of these, so far, the full set of upgrades have been done on AAVR7A1s.. 

     There are clusters of five smoke grenade launchers on either side of the glacis plate. The AAVR7A1 can wear the appliqué of the AAVP7A1, except for the turret appliqué (as it has no turret). Crew includes three mechanics (and the vehicle crew are also mechanics), a driver, and a commander, who has a manually-operated cupola and a pintle-mounted machinegun.

     Delays in the EFV means that the AAV7-series will be in service at least until 2030.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

AAVR7A1

$249,957

D, G, AvG, A

8 tons

23.64 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 w/Appliqué

$243,248

D, G, AvG, A

8 tons

25.64 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 RAM

$244,071

D, A

7.77 tons

24.95 tons

5

13

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 SUP

$244,714

D, A

7.28 tons

26.92 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

AAVR7A1 SAIC

$1,017,237

D, A

7.13 tons

27.52 tons

5

24

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

AAVR7A1

101/71/28

20/20/5 (4)

647

111

Stnd

T3

HF10  HS7  HR5

AAVR7A1 w/Appliqué

108/75/19

30/21/5 (3)

647

111

Stnd

T3

HF10  HS10Sp  HR5

AAVR7A1 RAM

148/104/27

41/29/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF12Sp  HS12Sp  HR6

AAVR7A1 SUP

139/98/25

39/27/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF12Sp  HS15Sp  HR6*

AAVR7A1 SAIC

137/96/25

38/27/7 (5)

647

194

Stnd

T3

HF16Cp  HF18Cp  HF8**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

AAVR7A1 (Applique, RAM)

None

None

M-60D (C)

850x7.62mm

AAVR7A1 SUP

None

None

M-60D (C)

1700x7.62mm

AAVR7A1 SAIC

+2

Fair

M-60E2 (C)

1700x7.62mm

*Floor Armor is 5Sp.  Roof Armor is 4.

** Floor Armor is 7Sp.  Roof Armor is 5.

 

BAE M-1 ABV Assault Breacher

     Notes: Though cancelled in the US Army, the US Marines saw great promise in the M-993 Grizzly CEV with its plethora of obstacle clearing tools. Though the Army decided to cancel it, the Marines decided to develop their own, similar version, the Assault Breacher.  The Marines have nicknamed this the Shredder.  It’s first large-scale use was as a part of ISAF.  In addition to clearing obstacles, it can create obstacles and dig fighting positions; one of its primarily roles in Afghanistan was to dig up and detonate mines and IEDs with its specially hardened buckets and mine plow.  The Marines have a total of 52, on the way to a projected total of 189.  The success of the ABV has led the US Army to take a second look at the Grizzly; 189 were ordered by the US Army in favor of the Grizzly in 2012. In fact, five are on loan to the US Army for use on the Korean DMV. The ABVs are essentially the Marines’ equivalent of the Grizzly, but do not have a Grizzly’s capabilities and general utility, being optimized for minefield breaching.

     The turret is replaced with a special superstructure; it looks like a turret, but is not. The superstructure is, however, basically a locked-down turret that has been enlarged and modified for its new role. The chassis is an M-1A2 SEP hull, with some turret internal accouterments in the superstructure. The superstructure sides and rear are festooned with armored lockers, as is the back. In normal use, the superstructure is covered on the front and sides with ERA blocks.

     The ABV uses a more powerful 20kW APU, which is under armor to reduce its thermal signature.  The engine used is the 1500-horsepower Honeywell AGT-1500 gas turbine engine, coupled to an automatic transmission. In fact, as much as possible, the chassis and turret have been retained, though of course the top of the hull and the now nonrotating turret have been heavily modified.

     The ABV has a smoke grenade cluster on either side of the front of the superstructure. The normal crew is two men, with the commander/tool operator on the front superstructure with a machinegun able to be aimed fired, and reloaded from within the vehicle, hatches closed.  The driver is in his normal place inside the front center. Some ABVs have been further modified with an RWS-type station armed with an M-2HB and a Mk 19, both of which can be aimed, fired, and reloaded from under armor.  The RWS mount can of course, rotate 360 degrees.  The ABV has air conditioning, heating, and an NBC Overpressure system; it also has BMS and a GPS setup. The ABV carries a large amount of explosives and gear, used also for blowing IEDs in place and clearing or creating obstacles manually.

     The plow is 4.5 meters wide and hinges to a V-shape or a straight plow. The plow may also be angled one way or the other. The plow’s bottom edge has dozens of high-strength steel teeth for ripping and uncovering IEDs and mines  well underground – and the blade may be angled as necessary in relation to the ground. Reaching over the dozer blade, and able to angle to almost 270 degrees, are arms able to dig up large IEDs.  Their most important function, however, is as mine detectors and electronic fuze disruptors – They are 80% likely to disable fuzes within 30 meters of the ABV, and detect mines and IEDs. They are able to take an IED or mine blast to various degrees. The Shredder carries two MICLIC launchers on the rear deck.

     A negative side of the ABV is that it requires a large amount of maintenance for both its chassis and turret, but also for the plow and subsystems.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

ABV

$2,462,321

D, G, AvG, A

400 kg

65.32 tons

2

39

Image Intensification (D, C), Thermal Imager (C)

Shielded

ABV w/RWS

$2,629,037

D, G, AvG, A

400 kg

65.47 tons

2

41

Image Intensification (D, C), Thermal Imager (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

ABV

159/111

44/31

1920

558

Stnd

T6

HF262Cp  HS34Sp  HR27Sp

ABV w/RWS

159/111

44/31

1920

558

Stnd

T6

TF 8Sp  TS6Sp  TS6Sp  HF262Cp  HS34Sp  HR27Sp

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

ABV

+1

None

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50, 2000 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

ABV w/RWS

+2

Fair

M-2HB, Mk 19 (G)

2000x.50, 200x40mm, 2000 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

*The ABV has ERA lugs on the front and side of the superstructure, as well as on the track skirts.  The front and sides of the superstructure are normally equipped with ERA.  The version with an RWS can also take turret RAM on all sides. The floor armor of the ABV is 20Sp.  The dozer blade can protect against frontal hits, and it has an AV of 16Sp.

 

BAE M-2A2 ODS-E E-BFV

     Notes: What that giant acronym means is that this vehicle is the engineer squad vehicle version of the M-2A2, with Operation Desert Storm modifications.  Some are also M-2A3 E-BFVs, allowing them to interoperate with Bradley BCTs that are based on the M-2A3; the object is commonality of spare parts. The E-BFV is designed to interoperate with Bradley BCTs and to keep up with the line of march (or move ahead of them in some cases), and maintain the momentum of assaulting forces.

     The E-BFV can be equipped with the following devices: a mine roller, a mine plow, or mine flail.  It also has an automatic lane marker system (which may also be manually operated), and electronics which allow it to use a small robot to check and if necessary, detonate mines and IEDs.  The lane marker assembly consists of two boxes of lane markers on the rear sides of the vehicle, and two on the back of the vehicle on either side of the ramp.  The mine plow is a sectional blade which may be configured into a straight blade to clear obstacles, create obstacles, push into buildings, reduce fortifications, and dig fighting positions.  As a V-shaped blade (it is hinged in the middle), it functions to push mines and IEDs aside and occasionally detonate them.  As an angled blade, it operates as cross between the other two types of blades.  The lane markers each have 48 marker flags, and serve to designated safe corridors for the vehicles that follow the E-BFV; they are fired into the ground far enough for them to remain upright and may be placed on automatic deployment at a given interval or deployed manually in groups of one or more on each side of the E-BFV. Other tools carried include a chainsaw, rotary cutter, and various pioneer tools and construction tools.  The E-BFV normally tows a trailer that carries extra equipment and supplies, a MICLIC system, or a minelayer mechanism.

     The biggest difference between the E-BFV and the standard M-2A2 ODS or M-2A3 is the lack of a TOW missile launcher in the box on the left side of the turret.  Instead, the E-BFV carries additional observation equipment such as LLTVs (at the front and back of the box, a FLIR, and a 2nd Gen Image Intensifier.  The rear LLTV is accessible to the driver, and the rest to the gunner and the sapper squad leader via a downlink to a small LCD screen. The E-BFV has a non-lethal (but not eye-safe) laser designed to deactivate mines and IEDs on the surface of up to 250 centimeters below the surface.  Note that the latter generally requires having the fuze or center of the mine marked and is therefore not often done.  The laser can also disperse crowds or enemy squads by temporarily blinding them. For disposal of obstacles, IEDs or mines, and to blow holes in buildings, the sappers may elect to dismount and blow them manually, using the 30 kilograms of C4 and the equivalent of three engineer demolitions chest.  The 25mm Bushmaster autocannon is also retained, in addition to the coaxial machinegun and an a CROWS for the commander. Raised above the turret and driver is a wire cutter to keep them from injuring exposed crewmembers.

     The E-BFV is, on paper anyway, designed to carry an engineer squad of six.  Experience and testing show that with all the equipment carried, a squad of four is more like it. The crew has a small computer with engineer manuals and tips as well as specs on their vehicle.  It has NBC Overpressure along with a vehicle air flushing system.  On each side of the turret are two clusters of four smoke grenade launchers. The vehicles have a 15kW APU to run the sensors and tools when the engine is off.

     Being a variant of the M-2A2, the following features are common to the two. Lugs for reactive armor blocks are found on the upper sides of the M-2A2 as well as on the glacis.  These lugs can also mount bolt-on appliqué armor, bolt-on spaced armor, or the new slat armor if desired.  The weight of the M-2A2 increased so much that it is no longer amphibious, and the trim vane and flotation screen have been removed.  However, to cope with the increased weight, the VTA-903T was replaced with an upgraded version of the same engine, developing 600 horsepower. The ODS (Operation Desert Storm) upgrades, with such modified vehicles informally called M-2A2ODSs, included an improved, eye-safe laser rangefinder, the addition of a GPS system, an IFF system, thermal imaging for the driver, and a system to jam radio-guided and IR-guided missiles (regarded as only partially effective, but better than nothing).  The missile jamming system consists of sensors to detect incoming missiles and automatically put out low-grade radio-jamming signals, launch flares and IR-defeating smoke grenades.

     M-2A3 E-BFVs have the upgrades of the M-2A2 ODS.  In addition, they have a BMS with GPS and Link-16. The commander has a full flat-panel display/touchscreen and computer control; the gunner and driver have touchscreens of their own that display information appropriate to their roles.  In the passenger compartment, mounted on a bracket that is against the turret basket but not actually attached to it (i.e., it does not rotate with the turret), is another large display to provide the dismount squad with information on the battlefield situation and allow them to plan, receive and provide updated information. Along with this capability, GPS and an INU (Inertial Navigation Unit) have been added.  The M-2A3 has a computer (which has been steadily upgraded over time) to allow it to quickly receive, integrate, display, and send real-time battlefield information; commanders therefore (usually) know where their units are and their status; the Bradley is therefore a true counterpart to the Abrams on the digital battlefield.

     Other improvements a CIS (Commander’s Independent Viewer), similar to the CITS of the M-1A2 Abrams III.  The commander also retained the ability to see through the gunner’s sight.  In addition, the commander’s thermal imagers were replaced with long-range FLIR systems more akin to those found on aircraft and helicopters. The M-2A3 has an automatic dual target tracking ability, and as the gunner’s sighted target is destroyed, the turret can be set to rotate automatically and the gun trained automatically on the commander’s sighted target.  Fire control s also improved (the system called the IBAS – Improved Bradley Acquisition System), and boresighting is essentially automatic instead of requiring a stop and extensive adjustments.  The gunner’s sight (the TAS – Target Acquisition System) has received particular attention in the fire control department.  The main gun and coaxial machinegun is better stabilized and the ballistic computer improved (able to tap into, to a small amount, the primary computer of the Bradley).  The TAS uses a 2nd-generation FLIR and a day TV/image intensification device, with a digital zoom from 4x to 48x, and twice the field of view of the zoom sights of earlier Bradleys.  The day TV/image intensifier sees in near-infrared as well visible light, making it usable even in heavy smoke, IR-obscuring smoke, and conditions of low thermal contrast where FLIR imaging would be of little use.

     The turret roof of the M-2A3 has a thin layer of added titanium alloy armor, as Desert Storm operations revealed the turret roof to be the weakest surface of the vehicle.  As an adjunct to the electronic IFF system, the Bradley accommodates special panels on the sides of the vehicle made of the special aluminum alloy.  These panels, when viewed through thermal imagers or FLIRs of the proper wavelength, gives off a heat signature that provides a further deterrent to fratricide.  The M-2A3 includes a special cooling system for the vehicle’s electronics, but experience in Iraq has led to low-power air conditioning to be fitted to the M-2A3 (and some M-2A2s still in service) to relieve the stifling heat that builds up inside the Bradley.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

$6,351,906

D, A

900 kg

27 tons

3+4

21

2nd Gen Image Intensification (C), Image Intensification (G), LLTV w/Image Intensification (SQL), Thermal Imaging (D, G), FLIR (C)

Shielded

M-2A3 E-BFV

$1,4912,497

D, A

900 kg

28 tons

3+4

25

Thermal Imaging (D), FLIR (C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G), LLTV w/Image Intensification (SQL)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

134/94

37/26

662

191

Trtd

T4

TF11  TS8  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6Sp

M-2A3 E-BFV

151/106

42/29

662

222

Trtd

T4

TF11  TS8  TR6Sp  HF13  HS8Sp  HR6Sp

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-2A2 ODS E-BFV

+3

Fair

M-242 Bushmaster Autocannon, M-240C, 6xM-231 PFW

900x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 3070x5.56mm, 20 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

M-2A3 E-BFV

+3

Good

M-242 Bushmaster Autocannon, M-240C, 6xM-231 PFW

900x25mm, 2200x7.62mm, 3070x5.56mm, 20 kg C4, 4 Engineer Demo Chests

*Floor Armor is 7.  For the M-2A3 E-BFV, the Roof armor is 7.  The E-BFV may take ERA, Bar/Slat armor, and appliqué armor, including MEXAS. The sides and front of the vehicle are, in fact, normally equipped with ERA.  The E-BFV can also be equipped with the BUSK kit.

 

FMC CESV AEV

     Notes:  Also known as the MTVE, this vehicle is similar to the Canadian M-113 ESEV, but based on the larger MTVL chassis.  The CESV's ramp may be used as a working platform, and may hold 1.1 tons.  It has the same hydraulic auger that may dig in earth, asphalt, and frozen ground to a depth of 3.048 meters and 203mm wide; hydraulic power tools (a chainsaw, jack hammer, impact wrench, jaws of life, round saw), a welding set, and an engineer demo chest.  In addition, several lengths of rope and wire cable are carried, along with snatch blocks and hooks. The CESV is also equipped with a light turret; its weapons and the rotation of the turret may be taken over by the commander and the weapon aimed and fired by him.  As of 2012, only seven CESV vehicles have been built.  The vehicle has a compact APU developing 7 kW, located on the right rear roof.

     Like a standard MTVL, the vehicle has a 6V-53TIA Detroit Diesel Electronic Control (DDEC IV) turbocharged intercooled and aftercooled engine developing 400 horsepower.  Transmission, and like the MTVL and M-113A3, is has a steering wheel instead of tillers.  Like the MTVL, it has stryofoam blocks on the sides to support it while swimming; these are enclosed in light aluminum.  The fuel tanks are on either side of the door with an AV of 4; under the floor are special rupture-resistant fuel tanks. The glacis and sides are equipped with lightweight titanium-alloy panels, giving it more armor protection without too much of a weight penalty. The glacis also carries appliqué armor blocks and the floor is made from spaced laminate steel. A Kevlar anti-spall liner has also been installed.

     The CESV has ballistic protection a greater standard, to a similar level as the M-2A1 Bradley's hull.  This allows the CESV, along with its mobility, to keep up with and destroy obstacles. It also has additional protection against mines, more based on the survivability of the crew and not the vehicle.  The gunner sits under a Rafael OHWS containing two machineguns (but an alternate installation on some CESVs replaces the M-2HB with a Mk 19 GMG), with a special rangefinder with ballistic computer, and night vision devices.  This is on the top of the vehicle, on the front right side. The commander sits to the left of the gunner in a cupola, though he has a ring of vision blocks on the roof and a night vision device. The driver is in the usual place for the MTVL, on the front left side behind the glacis plate; he also has a night vision channel.  The rest of the crew is also in the hull, though the commander sits on the center front slightly to the left; the rest of the engineers site on the right side. There is a hatch in the ramp, and a large hatch on the roof.  A domed adjustable ventilator is behind the roof hatch. Though there is room for the commander and up to seven engineers, generally only five are carried. The CESV has a vehicular NBC system; the crew’s protective masks can be connected to this by long hoses (though not long enough to allow them to leave the vehicle), 40 kilograms of C4 and an engineer demolitions chest are also carried, though the engineer demolitions kit components are generally broken up and stored in a manner that makes them more accessible.  On each side and to the rear are firing ports, and the vehicle is equipped with air condition, a BMS, and a GPS set.  The vehicle has a bank of four smoke grenade launchers on either side, which may be fired individually or in salvos by the commander.  On the bumpers are four more smoke grenade launchers each; these act as normal smoke and also have a 50% chance of blocking laser designation or rangefinding beams.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was taken into service by the US Army in late 1996 as the M-113A4 Sapper Vehicle.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,324,483

D, A

4.2 tons

18.14 tons

3+7

17

Image Intensification (D, G), Thermal Imaging (G, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

130/91

36/25/4

757

120

CiH

T3

TF3Sp  TS3Sp  TR3  HF10  HS5Sp  HR4*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

M-2HB or Mk 19, MAG

1000x.50 or 320x40mm, 1500x7.62mm, 40 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest.

*Belly armor is 4Sp.

 

United Defense M-9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE)

     Notes:  The ACE is basically a military version of a bulldozer, with an armored body.  It entered the US Army inventory in 1977, and is perhaps one of the most common engineer vehicles in the world.  Most of these vehicles were upgraded starting in 1985 to extend their operational life, and included an appliqué armor package pioneered by the Israelis.  Later production included nearly 200 vehicles for South Korea.  The US Marines also use the ACE, but did not get any until 1995.

     The ACE is a fast vehicle designed to keep up with Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Main Battle Tanks, in order to clear obstacles, create breaches in fortifications, and fill craters and ditches for those vehicles.  The ACE is also used to prepare positions and dig fortifications.  A secondary role for the ACE is the smoothing and creation of makeshift roads and airfields in rough terrain areas, or the destruction and scarring of road surfaces and runways. It is not suitable as an antimine vehicle, due to the absence of a curved blade and the depth of its bucket.

     The ACEs primary feature is its large front-mounted scraper and dozer blade/bucket.  The scraper has a capacity of 6.7 cubic meters, and the dozer blade/bucket can move 8 tons at a time.  The position of the bucket is adjusted by adjusting the vehicle's hydropneumatic suspension. (When traveling at high speed, this suspension gives the vehicle a smoother ride than might be expected from such a vehicle.) The ACE's digging efficiency can be increased by using the scraper to fill the apron behind the bucket with ballast; this can be ejected at any time, and is also used to fill trenches or build up berms. The ACE also has a winch with a capacity of 15.9 tons, and has a 60-meter cable.  The ACE is equipped with a bilge pump for amphibious operations -- it is amphibious with preparation -- but most countries using the ACE have removed the requirement from doctrine that requires the ACE to be swim-capable.  The commander has a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision blocks; the dozer operator also has a hatch above him, with all-around vision blocks..

     Power is provided by a Cummins V-903C developing 295 horsepower; transmission is semi-automatic and steering is by tillers.  Armor is basic aluminum, but is nothing to write home about. The ACE has a tow pintle that also allows several vehicles to be connected to allow for a larger line pull.

     SIP improvements began in 1996.  The base armor is an aluminum-aramid-steel sandwich, and the appliqué adds armor similar to that of the Bradley, along with improvements to the belly armor and increased strength to the tracks.  Other improvements consists of improvements to fix deficiencies in the suspension and treads, and the addition of new access panels to make maintenance easier.  In addition, new filters and filtration methods maintain the complicated and critical hydraulic system of the ACE clean.  The dozer blade has been changed in composition from aluminum to steel, as repair and replacement of the aluminum dozer was coming too often.  The large dozer blade could be folded from inside the cab; folding the blade protects it from damage in cross-country travel, and folding the old blade took a half an hour of outside work from both members of the crew, and is problematic when under fire and a quick withdrawal is necessary.  The winch’s capacity has been raised to 25 tons, and the new winch is two-speed.

     A possible future SIP is an OHWS with an M-2HB, a Mk 19, or both, in addition to a third crewman to operate it.  In addition, air conditioning, a BMS with GPS, and NBC Overpressure are on the idea list. This is listed below as "M-9A2," though this is a designation I am using for this possible future modification and not a real-world designation. A third SIP is being planned, which will increase the reliability of the mechanical and electrical systems, making them stronger and more flexible in their use.  It also provides the ACE with a more powerful engine, a Cummins turbocharged diesel with an output of 400 horsepower.  I have noted this below as “M-9A3” though this not an official demonstration.

     The SIPs are being performed as vehicles come into 3rd echelon or depot-level maintenance.  The Army and Marines are well aware of the vehicle’s vulnerability to ground fire; extra armor has been provided as part of the SIPs and normally, the ACE is protected by a Bradley or LAV-25 when working or traveling.

     Though capable of carrying more crew, the M-9 and M-9A1 normally operate with only one crewmember, and the M-9A2 and M-9A3 with two.

     The ACE is air-portable in any aircraft at least the size of the C-130 Hercules.  There is a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each front corner.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-9 ACE

$420,485

D, A

1.8 tons

16.28 tons

2

14

Headlights

Shielded

M-9A1 ACE

$577,609

D, A

1.54 tons

17.31 tons

2

15

Headlights

Shielded

M-9A2 ACE

$1,596,119

D, A

1.44 tons

17.82 tons

3

20

Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

M-9A3 ACW

$1,596,915

D, A

1.44 tons

17.87 tons

3

20

Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-9 ACE

144/101

40/28/4

507

109

Stnd

T3

HF3Sp  HS3Sp  HR2Sp*

M-9A1 ACE

138/96

38/27/4

507

109

Stnd

T4

HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

M-9A2 ACE

124/87

35/24

507

109

CiH

T4

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

M-9A3 ACE

155/109

43/30

507

148

CiH

T4

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF9Sp  HS6Sp  HR4Sp**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M-9A2/A3 ACE

+2

Fair

M-2HB, Mk 19

2000x.50, 500x.40mm

*The dozer blade has an AV of 6, and is 50% likely to be hit is the shot comes from the front, adding to the vehicle's AV.  If the blade is folded, this chance is 25%, but the AV is then 12.

**The steel dozer blade has an AV of 8, and is 50% likely to be hit is the shot comes from the front, adding to the ACE's AV.  If the blade is folded, this chance is 25%, but the AV is then 16.  Floor AV is 6Sp.

 

FMC M-58 Wolf

     Notes:  This is the US Army's current standard smoke generation vehicle, along with the M-56 Coyote.  It is also used by several of America's allies. It uses a tactical smoke generator of the 1994-2000 period type on the latest M-113A3 chassis, featuring large area multispectral obscurants.  It has the RISE improvements that are normally fitted to the M-113A4.  This allows for greater speed to keep up with Bradley and Abrams formations.  The Wolf uses smoke fuel and fog oil tanks twice as large as the standard tactical smoke generator.  The Wolf has two large rotatable exhaust pipes for the smoke generator.

     The commander and driver are in the same positions as on a standard M-113A3.  The third crewmember is the smoke equipment operator, who sits at a panel of instruments and controls, on the center right side facing to the rear. He has a cupola above him. The driver has a hatch above him, with vision blocks to the left and front; the front one has a night channel, along with the center block of the commander. The rear ramp and door remain, but they act primarily as access doors to the generation equipment. There are also access panels on either side.  The commander can aim and fire his machinegun with the hatch closed. The crew has vehicular NBC hookups for its crew. The third crewmember is inside the hull.

     The engine is that of the M-113A4 – a 275 horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V53T turbocharged diesel, with an automatic transmission and conventional driving controls.

     The SGS is currently able to, on one tank of obscurants, able to produce 90 minutes of visual obscuration and 30 minutes of IR/Thermal obscuration. (Future improvements in the obscurants include the blocking of MMW.)  The Wolf may be charging at full speed, turning sharply or widely, and other such moves while laying down the screen. (The driver and commander have uncooled FLIR viewers to deal with the smoke.)  The SGS operator can lay the screen as haze, blanket, or curtain (the thickest smoke). A raised area on the roof makes room for the SGS while also allowing access and replenishment of obscurants. The obscurants emerge from a funnel-shaped pipe at the right rear of the deck. The SGS may use the appliqué armor of the M-113 series.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$727,808

D, A

300 kg

13 tons

3

13

FLIR (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

163/114

45/32/5

400

104

Stnd

T2

HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

M-2HB (C)

2000x.50

 

GDLS M-60 AVLB

     Notes:  This is an armored vehicle-launched bridge most commonly found in US service (by the Army and Marines), and is also used by Germany, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, and Taiwan.  As the name suggests, most are based on the M-60A1 main battle tank, with a bridge that has a capacity of 54.43 tons; some are based on an M-48A3 or A5 chassis that has been brought up to M-60A1 standards, or the chassis from the retired M-60A2 (and all are identical for game purposes).  Current plans call for a slow-rate replacement by the M-104 Wolverine, though Congress and the President have killed the M-104 more than once (only to arise from the dead). Export operators include Egypt, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, and Spain.  It should be noted that the M-60 AVLB is not capable of keeping up with modern fighting vehicles on a swift march, and normally one or two fighting vehicles “guard” it (and other such vehicles that are needed but can’t keep up).

     The scissors-type bridge may cross a gap of 18.29 meters, and takes 3 minutes to deploy and 10 minutes to recover.  It is made of high-strength aluminum. The bridge is a scissors-type bridge, and thus the bridge hinge is raised high into the air during its deployment. The trackway is 3.81 meters wide; each treadway is 1.75 meters. It is normally used for MLC 60 vehicles max, but a (very) limited amount of MLC 70 traffic may cross; each such vehicle that exceeds the MLC 60 limited have a 1% chance of permanently damaging the bridge so that it cannot be recovered. If the M-60 AVLB reduces the gap to be spanned to 15 meters, it can allow MLC 70 vehicles to cross without danger of damaging the bridge. Such heavy vehicles may cross only at one-quarter normal speed. As the bridge deploys, stabilizers also automatically deploy at the front of the vehicle. These stabilizers are raised off the ground so the AVLB can cross its own bridge, then the AVLB turns around, puts the stabilizers back on the ground, and the stabilizers automatically retracts and stow themselves as the bridge is recovered. By itself, the bridge weighs 13.38 tons. 

     The M-60 AVLB chassis is virtually identical to the M-60A1; the turret is. Of course, removed and replaced with the bridge and its deployment machinery. The automotive characteristics and most of the chassis is unchanged from the M-60A1 chassis, with a Continental AVDS-1790-2DR turbocharged diesel developing 750 horsepower, with an automatic transmission and suspension by torsion bars, and shock absorbers on the front and rear pairs of roadwheels. Army versions have clusters of four smoke grenade launchers on each fender; Marine M-60 AVLBs have clusters of five.

     The M-60 AVLB has a crew of two – the driver and the commander, who doubles as the bridge operator.  There is a tightly-cramped tunnel between the driver’s and commander’s position, and each has a small space beside them for personal items (though not nearly all will fit).The bridge may be deployed from the driver’s or bridge operator’s position. The crew does not have to leave the vehicle or open the hatches to deploy or recover the bridge, though it is preferred that the TC get out of the vehicle and acts as a ground guide.  The crew compartments have NBC Overpressure and a heater; later improvements (after the 1991 Gulf War) added an air conditioner and improved the reliability of the vehicle mechanically and electrically in general.  Even later improvements (early 2000s) added a BMS and GPS.  These did not have special designations, though for game purposes I have labeled then Upgrade 1 and 2.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-60 AVLB

$605,148

D, A

200 kg

55.21 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 1)

$605,483

D, A

200 kg

55.23 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 2)

$1,130,489

D, A

200 kg

55.78 tons

2

26

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-60 AVLB

118/83

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 1)

118/82

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

M-60 AVLB (Upgrade 2)

117/82

33/23

1457

276

CiH*

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF56  HS15  HR8*

*The CiH configuration refers to the AVLB with the bridge mounted.  If the bridge is deployed, Config is Stnd.

 

GDLS M-60 AVLM

     Notes:  The M-60 AVLM (Armored Vehicle Launched MICLIC) began as a field modification of a standard M-60 AVLB during Desert Storm. The bridge is removed from the vehicle, the bridge deployment machinery retracted, and up to two line charge machinery of a standard M-58A3 MICLIC (Mine-Clearing Line Charge) trailer is mounted on top of the hull at the rear.  This allows a mine-clearing solution much more mobile than a trailer while carrying the ability for follow-up shots, as well as allowing the engineers to be better protected than in a truck, HMMWV, or even APC towing a trailer.  It is also less vulnerable than a trailer-mounted solution.  For the time being, these modified vehicles are still in service, though some have been converted back to AVLBs.  Operation Desert Storm showed that the M-60 AVLM has some problems keeping up with a maneuver force consisting of Abrams and Bradleys. Like many such specialist vehicles that cannot keep up with the pace of march, the AVLMs are often escorted by tanks or APCs and IFVs.  The AVLM normally operated in an engineer platoon with vehicles with mine plows, combat engineer squads in special vehicles, and vehicles with other specialist gear, along with the protective elements.

     The MICLIC launcher carries two line charges; a further four are carried on the vehicle for follow-up shots, but the crew must leave armor protection to load these charges.  The line charge is fired from the AVLM, and starting 20 meters from the AVLM, a 107-meter long line of C4 charges are laid straight ahead.  Each meter of the charge contains 7.44 kg of C4, for a burst radius of 40 and a concussion value of 11.  Any mines in this radius may be set off, causing their own explosions if they do.  Once all sympathetic detonations have occurred, the AVLM, other vehicles, and personnel may proceed through the cleared area (hoping all the mines have been set off).  In practice, the AVLM is usually followed by a tank or engineer vehicle equipped with a mine plow, roller, or flail, as the MICLIC typically fails to clear up to 50% of the mines in a lane. Normally, two AVLMs set on either side of the line of march, fire their MICLICs, then the mine dozers or flail tanks go in.  A sapper squad checks the area quickly, then the line of march goes in. After that, sappers place markers for subsequent lines of march.  Minefields are a real pain.

     The MICLIC launchers and line charges are carried beneath armored sponsons, which raise along with the line charges and deployment rockets to approximately a 45-degree angle. Reloading a sponson requires 10 minutes and requires four personnel to stand atop the vehicle and reload (two for one sponson).

     The AVLM was a field modification first used during the 1991 Gulf War, and there were never any purpose-built AVLMs, though it was a common modification, and kits were built to allow the modification.  No AVLM M-60 mods were used in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they did not receive the Upgrades that the AVLB version received. The AVLM modification may be accomplished by 4 personnel with appropriate skills and equipment; normally, at least one person on the team must have the Mechanic or Combat Engineer skill, and must pass an Average test.  The modification can be done in 2 hours by those four persons if they have a MICLIC trailer, basic tools, and a crane, whether ground or vehicle-mounted. At any time, the AVLM may be converted back to an AVLB by removing the MICLIC units and re-mounting the bridge.  The operator is normally a Combat Engineer, but the controls are ad hoc and simple and the bridge crew can launch the MICLICs after a short lesson.

     Being a subtype of the M-60 AVLB, is has the same automotive characteristics and most of the chassis is unchanged from the M-60A1 chassis, with a Continental AVDS-1790-2DR turbocharged diesel developing 750 horsepower, with an automatic transmission and suspension by torsion bars, and shock absorbers on the front and rear pairs of roadwheels. They have clusters of four smoke grenade launchers on each fender. The AVLM is normally crewed by sappers.  (One criticism before the Desert Shield and Desert Storm was that the sappers did not receive enough training on what was essentially a new weapons system to them.)  Like the AVLB, the AVLM’s driver position is slightly back from that of the M-60 tank, and in the center of the vehicle is the commander/MICLIC operator.  Internally, the crew positions are identical to the AVLB, except for the control box at the commander’s position.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,025,096

D, A

400 kg

51.33 tons

2

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

112/78

31/22

1457

271

CiH

T6

TF5  TS5  TR5  HF56  HS15  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

2xMICLIC Launchers

8xLine Charge

 

BMY M-88 Hercules

     Notes:  This is the longtime standard armored recovery vehicle of the US Army, and to a far more limited extent, the Marines.  It is also used by 19 other countries worldwide.  It was in the process of being replaced by the M-88A2 and M-5 in US service and by the M-88A2 in some other countries, but the M-5 was killed in the budget and the M-88A2 suffered a dramatic slowing of the purse strings. The original M-88 was introduced in 1961 and replaced (largely by upgrading) by the M-88A1 in 1977, and the M-88A2 (mostly new-build vehicles) in 1997.  Most Marine M-88s are M-88A1s; they are slowly and steadily building up a stock of M-88A2s, but nowhere near the rate of the Army. The M-88 is a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars; the M-88A1 and A2 were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  The M-88 in its various forms, are used by 23 countries (and almost all of them use the M-88 in its A1 form, though the new Iraqi Army and Kuwait use the M-88A2).  The Egyptians license-produce the M-88A1 and M-88A2. In the US military, some 141 M-88A1s have been replaced by the M-88A2 (out of the 1059 M-81s in the Army), while the Marines lag behind, having put only four M-88A2s into service.  At this time, 850 M-88A2s are scheduled to be produced, but this could change at any time.

     The M-88 is described as a vehicle with something for every mechanic, from the wide selection of tools to an A-frame crane, and a very good heater, room for a recovered tank’s crew, and even racks for things like an M-60 machinegun and four M-136 or six M-72 rockets; as well as the personal weapons of the crew.  The M-88 carries basic, wheeled vehicle, tracked vehicle, small arms, and heavy ordinance tools, an air compressor, a welding and cutting set, and tow bars, ropes, chains, and cables.  The crane may lift 22.7 tons when braced by the dozer blade, or 18.16 tons without using the blade.  The main winch has a capacity of 40.8 tons, or double that with block and tackle.  The auxiliary winch has a capacity of 1.9 tons.  On the M-88 and the M-88 and M-88A1 are normally used by commander and fourth crewmember.

     The M-88 is powered by a gasoline engine developing 750 horsepower; The M-88A1 is powered by a 908-horsepower diesel engine.  The M-88A2 has a 1050-horsepower turbocharged diesel.  The M-88 and M-88A1 have manual transmissions, while the M-88A2 has an automatic transmission.

     The biggest difference between the base M-88 and the M-88A1 is that the M-88A1 is equipped with an 8.1 kW APU.  The M-88A1 also has a fuel pump that allows the vehicle to pump fuel from an external source.  Finally, the M-88A1 has a 19mm hydraulic impact wrench to assist in track maintenance of tracked vehicles. It is also powered by a diesel engine. The APU is also powered by diesel (and later, JP8).  The M-88 series can refuel other vehicles from its own fuel tanks, but there is a 10% chance per refueling operation of clogging the M-88s fuel filters, since an operation draws the fuel from the bottom of the tanks and contains the sediment that collects on the bottom. It has the battery and engine power to slave start even an M-1; the APU can also be used to jump-start vehicles. The APU can also be used to jump start engines. The dozer of the M-88 series can also be used to dig larger fighting positions or conduct general earthmoving. The M-88 has a 10kW gasoline-powered APU; the M-88A1 and A2 use a diesel-powered unit of the same output.  The M-88 series is not amphibious, but can ford bodies of water up to 2.6 meters deep with preparation.

     The M-88A2 is a progressive development of the M-88A1.  The general layout is similar to the M-88A1, but the M-88A2 adds armored side skirts, appliqué armor, stronger suspension, an upgraded engine, improved brakes, and more powerful winches.  The M-88A2 is able to recover and tow a 70-ton vehicle at one-third speed, or a 30-ton vehicle at full speed.  The M-88A2’s crane can lift 35 tons, or 8.4 tons when not braced by the dozer blade.  The main winch is capable of pulling 63.6 tons.  Directly above the main winch is a lead winch (used to assist in deploying the main winch), which is itself able to pull 3 tons.  The fuel pump is able to pump 95 liters per minute.  This vehicle is outclassed by the XM-5 but is much cheaper, and crews familiar with the M-88A1 can use it with ease (and the M-88A2 has not been killed in the budget process).  The M-88A2 is at its limits when towing an M-1 Abrams; the M-88A1 is really straining to do this and more normally, two M-88A1s are used to tow an Abrams.  The M-88 is not capable of this feat.  The crane of the M-88A2 is longer and can be moved from side to side in a limited amount.  The armor has been increased, and the belly armor is likewise dramatically increased. The crew has been reduced to three, with room for a fourth crewmember if necessary for operations.  The four seats for a recovered tank crew are retained. The commander normally operates the tools, with help from the gunner.

     The driver is on the top left; the driver of the M-88 uses a tiller setup, while the M-88A1 and A2 use conventional driving controls.  All three have a power takeoff for the engine, controlled by the driver.  The gunner is in a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision and a heavy weapons mount.  On the center of the rear deck is a hatch for the crane operator and for general overseeing of operations; this is normally used by the commander, and has vision blocks one to the front, two to the left side, and one to the rear.  The M-882 has air conditioning and a heater, as well as an Vehicular NBC system; M-88A1 were retroactively fitted with an air conditioner in the late 1990s.  The M-88A2 was fitted with a BMS and GPS. The crew of the M-88A2 has a small computer that has the tech manuals and bulletins for most Army (or Marine) vehicles. The M-88 series has a cluster of six smoke grenade launchers on the upper glacis on either side; Marine M-88A2 use five-grenade clusters. M-88-series vehicle have two spotlights, one in the rear and one in the front.

     The M-88A2 has suffered from some unresolved problems, such as winch failure when the cable is incorrectly wound around the drum, and problems towing the Abrams in wet, muddy conditions. Crews complain about the lack of armor protection.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M-88

$903,224

G, A

3 tons

50.4 tons

4+4

39

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Enclosed

M-88A1

$1,538,581

D, A

3 tons

50.8 tons

4+4

37

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Enclosed

M-88A2

$1,450,471

D, A

3 tons

63.05 tons

3+5

45

Passive IR (D), 2xWL/IR Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M-88

126/88

35/24

1514

417

Stnd

T6

HF7  HS5  HR4

M-88A1

130/91

36/25

1514

337

Stnd

T6

HF7  HS5  HR4

M-88A2

136/95

38/26

1628

390

Stnd

T6

HF12Sp  HS9Sp  HS5*

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

(All)

None

None

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50

*Belly Armor for the M-88A2 is 6Sp.  The dozer blade may help protect the vehicle from the front, depending upon where it is positioned; it has an AV of 4Sp.

 

GDLS M-104 Wolverine

     Notes:  This is a limited production mechanized bridging vehicle based on the chassis of the M-1A2 SEP main battle tank, also known as the HAB (Heavy Assault Bridge).  The shortcomings of the M-60 AVLB are becoming more and more painfully obvious every day, from inadequate speed to an inadequate bridge for heavy vehicles.  The US Army has received 44 Wolverines to date, and the Marines are scheduled to receive some in the future.  Production is a bit slow right now, due to budgetary restrictions.  Currently, the Army does not intend to purchase any more Wolverines, but has the right to order a restart at any time.

     The Wolverine uses the chassis of the M-1A2 SEP tank with the turret removed and replaced with bridge-laying equipment.  Unlike the illustration in the US Army Vehicle Handbook, the bridge is not a three-part scissors-type affair.  It uses a bridge similar to that on the German Biber, but able to hold 70 tons with a length of 26 meters, and allowing a gap of 24 meters to be crossed.  This bridge takes 5 minutes to deploy and 10 minutes to recover, and the crew does not need to exit the vehicle or even open the hatches to do this.  The bridge weighs 10.9 tons, using lighter but stronger construction.  (The bridge is in fact designed by Leguan in Germany, the same builders of the Biber's bridge.) The bridge can withstand 5000 full-speed MLC 70 crossings before needing to be replaced. The M-104 has a 15kW APU to power the bridgelaying mechanism so the engine does not have to be running while the deployment is taking place; this is a 12kW generator.  This includes the lowering of a dozer blade in front of the vehicle for stabilization.  The commander, on the right side of the front hull, operates the bridge controls with simple push buttons, which in part operate a computer assist for the controls.  Deployment can be reversed at any time and the bridge can be recovered from either side of the bridge.  The buttons can also be used to make small adjustments in the deployment of the bridge.  If a trestle is available, two bridges may be laid end to end, with the ends overlapping at the trestle, and a 48-meter gap crossed in this way.

     The driver is in the same place, in the center of the front hull. The Wolverine is equipped with BMS system and GPS. The commander is to the driver’s left.  Both the driver and commander have bridge controls, but the commander usually operates the bridge. The driver and commander have (on opposite sides) a small space for personal gear, able to store something the size of a duffel bag or large rucksack.

     Being an M-1A2 SEP chassis, it has the same Honeywell AGT-1500 gas turbine developing 1500 horsepower. With an automatic X1100 transmission. It carries the same fuel and electrical systems, as well as fire suppression and detection systems.  It has NBC Overpressure.  It has the same armor for the chassis as the M-1A2 SEP's chassis.  The vehicle also has a small computer in the commander’s compartment with engineering solutions related to bridge use.

     The Wolverine was cancelled in 2000, but reinstated in 2004 for low-rate, limited-period production.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was approved for production in 1996.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle was cancelled, reapproved, cancelled, and finally reapproved in 2007.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$2,103,928

D, G, AvG, A

200 kg

70 tons

2

49

Image Intensification (D), 2xWL Spotlights (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

162/114

45/32

1920

556

CiH

T6

TF6  TS6  TR6  HF276Cp  HS38Sp  HR28*

*The Config of CiH is when the bridge is mounted.  When the bridge is deployed, the vehicle’s Config is Stnd.

 

BMY M-578 Light Recovery Vehicle

     Notes:  This vehicle is common in US units that still use the M-113 series as a primary vehicle; it's original purpose, however, was to provide a vehicle able to make rapid barrel replacements on the M-107 and M-110 SP howitzers, whose barrels wore out quickly.  After Desert Storm, VTRs were gradually replaced by M-88-series vehicles. Some 12 countries use or used the VTR.  The VTR is known for its speed and maneuverability and may also be air transported in any aircraft at least as big as a C-130; due to its high speed (at the time), it was often used as an ad hoc cargo transporter.  The VTR was used by some 13 countries, but in most of those, they are out of service.

     More commonly known to troops as a VTR (Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery), the M-578 is a US-built recovery vehicle with a chassis as the M-107 and M-110 howitzers.  The turret, however, is based on the M-109 SP howitzer. The rear-mounted turret has a crane capable of lifting 13.6 tons; I've personally seen one lift an M-113A2 completely off the ground and mechanics inspect underneath it.  The turret can rotate the crane (slowly) while under load, but this is not recommended under a heavy load. The VTR has an integral 10kW generator, a front mounted winch with 70m of cable capable of pulling 27.24 tons (or twice that with block and tackle), and a dozer blade.  The dozer is primarily used to stabilize the vehicle while the crane or winch are operating, but it can also be used to smooth dirt surfaces, or dig large fighting positions. The M-578 can tow up to 35 tons, but is slowed to one-quarter movement at that weight.  The VTR carries sort of a standard tool set for a recovery vehicle: basic, wheeled, and tracked vehicle tools, electrical tools, an air compressor, and things like bolt cutters, excavation tools, and a welding set, along with scads of spare parts.  It does not, however, have an area where is could carry a powerpack or engine, and normally carries these in a trailer. The suspension can be locked, and a dozer blade at the rear stabilizes the VTR during heavy lifts or winching. 

     The VTR is not amphibious, the VTR can ford up to a depth of 1.07 meters.

     The VTR has a driver’s hatch on the front deck, rigger’s and crane operator's hatches (the rigger mans the machinegun and also functions as the TC) on the turret deck, as well as doors on the turret sides and a double door on the rear of the turret.  Both the rigger and the crane operator have manually-operated cupolas with all-around vision blocks. Power is provided by a Detroit Diesel 8V71T 425-horsepower turbocharged diesel, and a manual Allison XTG-411-2A crossdrive transmission. The VTR is not known for its armor protection. It has a vehicular NBC system that the crew can plug into, but nothing like Overpressure.  It went out of service too early to have enhancements like a BMS or GPS mapping.

     Just a note: When I was at 24th ID in 1988, our VTRs were replaced with M-88A1s when we got our Bradleys.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$886,101

D, A

2 tons

24.3 tons

3

19

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

128/90

36/25

984

157

Trtd

T4

TF3  HS3  TR3  HF6  HS4  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)  (L-7A2 (C) on British vehicles)

500x.50 (750x7.62mm on British vehicles)

 

GDLS M-728 CEV

     Notes:  This vehicle was designed soon after the M-60A1 main battle tank was taken into US service.  It was not widely exported, and the only other countries to currently use it are Singapore and Saudi Arabia, though four other countries used it in the past.  Few are still used in the US Army; 29 are used by selected engineer units.  262 are in boneyards, USAR service, National Guard, and certain FBI and ATF uses. In the US, the M-728 was no longer used by active duty units after 2000; Desert Storm taught the military that the M-728 could not keep up with Abrams and Bradley formations, and many were simply used for the initial breach in the berm separating Kuwait from Saudi Arabia and then left behind,  The CEVs were retired without a replacement.  Despite their retirement by the US, the M-728 is still in use by National Guard and a few Reserve units and by Oman, Portugal, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.  A controversial use of the M-728 is by the FBI in the Waco Siege, where is was used to fire CS and CN grenades into the compound. Combat use includes Vietnam, where it was used for close assaults, and Desert Storm, where it was used for bunker-busting.

     The M-728 retains the base M-60A1 chassis (some were made using the hulls of retired M-60A2s hulls), but a new turret armed with a 165mm M-135 demolitions gun is mounted instead of the 105mm gun turret.  This is a very stubby-barreled and short-range weapon based on that used by the British Army’s FV-4003 AVRE, and its best use is to destroy fortifications and tank traps, and to a certain extent minefields, instead of as an antivehicle weapon.  It more spits a HESH round off instead of "firing" the shell. Mounted on the turret is an A-frame crane with a capacity of 15.88 tons.  The crane doubles as a winch, and has 61 meters of cable; it can pull 12.5 tons, and is used mostly to pull items and debris down or out of the way.  At the front of the hull is a large dozer blade; this can be removed and replaced with a V-shaped mine plow or mine rake, or even a mine flail system. The standard plow has an AV of 5, the mine plow has an AV of 5 on the top half and 8Sp at the bottom. The mine rake has an AV of 12; the mine flail has an AV of 14Sp, though mines generally do not harm a mine flail. The dozer blade stabilizes the CEV when it lifts with the crane (items can range from empennage to explosive devices); it can also be used to drop explosives into enclosed areas (such as was done in the Waco Siege). An alternate V-shaped plow may be mounted for use as a mine plow, or the standard plow may be used to dig fighting positions and smooth dirt roads.  The plows can be raised to a vertical position, allowing a load of whatever to dump off when the blade is lowered.

     The normal M-60A1 commander’s manually-rotating cupola is on top of this turret; though of course all crewmembers are combat engineers.  He mans the machinegun. Beside him is the crane operator; he has a standard loader's hatch for an M-60A1.and also acts as the loader for the main gun. The driver is in his normal slot in the center front of the hull. The winch operator doubles as a gunner. The crew has 20 kilograms of C4 to work with, along with an engineer's demolitions kit, along with a liberal supply of fragmentation, concussion, and thermite grenades.

     The M-728 is not amphibious, but can ford up to 2.4 meters.

     Power is provided by a Continental ADVS-1790-2 developing 750 horsepower, and coupled to a manual transmission.  The chassis is essentially identical to the M-60A1. There were several proposals to re-engine the M-728 to regain its mobility; the 1050-horsepower option in particular would have been good for this.  However, re-engining even a large portion of the  M-728s on the rolls was not considered budgetworthy.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Just prior to the Twilight War, the M-728 was being phased out of US service, thought to be overkill in a combat engineer role; however, a need for these vehicles was soon found again and they were drawn back out of the boneyards.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$601,570

D, A

700 kg

53.2 tons

4

31

Passive IR, WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

120/84

33/23

1420

273

Trtd

T6

TF45  TS17  TR13  HF56  HS12  HR8

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

165mm M-135 Demolitions Gun, MAG, M-2HB (C)

30x165mm, 3600x7.62mm, 728x.50, 20 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest

 

FMC M-1059A3 Lynx

     Notes:  This was the US Army's standard smoke generation vehicle until adoption of the M-58 Wolf in the mid-1990s; however, it is still being used in Force Package 2 and Force Package 3 units. Many of these vehicles were sold to US allies and other countries using the M-113A2 base vehicle. The vehicle carrier remained the M-113A2, but was sort of a hybrid vehicle as it had most of the RISE powerpack upgrades, but, for example, steering remains by tillers. The SGS used is an upgrade of an earlier SGS. Some were put into heavy modification, to allow them to be re-issued to Force Package 1 (Active-Duty first-line) units.  These modifications are being modified by use of a kit, with some 342 eventually to be modified.

     The M-157A2 is an upgrade of the earlier M-167 SGS.  It produces visual-blocking smoke screens by using duel pulse jets, and can run on diesel, gasoline, JP4, and JP-8; to a lesser extent, it can block IR, image intensification, and thermal imaging (though results will vary with the viewer -- little degradation is experienced by thermal imagers.)  It uses 151 liters in one hour; and the obscurant tank is 450 liters.  The Lynx can run off one smoke generator, but the resulting smoke screen is half as thick. The Lynx uses a tactical smoke generator of the 1986-1993 period type, with tanks twice as big as that of the standard tactical smoke generator.  The generator and its tanks take up most of the room in the M-113 base vehicle that would normally be used for passengers, so no passengers may be carried.  The pulse jet engines and the smoke generation equipment are on two tall boxes on either side of the rear of the vehicle; because of this, the radio antennae have been moved to the front of the roof, 1-3 behind the driver, atop the radios.

     The driver occupies the standard left front position as on the M-113A2; the commander has a standard M-113A2 cupola with a pintle-mounted machinegun.  The third crewmember is the smoke generator specialist; he sits on the right side facing rear where a control panel is. Controls of the SGS is primarily by push-buttons.  He has a hatchway above him. The rear hatch remains, but primarily provides access to the obscurant tanks, and a small amount of personal or other gear.  These are normally retrieved through the door in the ramp; there is no room to slip past the obscurant tanks, and SGS mechanisms. Around the obscurant operator is an empty space where ammunition and personal gear kept; it is not usually strapped outside of the vehicle since it will get obscurant embedded in it.   The commander and driver have special FLIR devices to see through their own smoke, though it blocks enemy FLIR and night vision  and lasers.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$896,717

D, A

300 kg

12.2 tons

3

7

FLIR (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

168/118

47/33/5

360

102

Stnd

T2

HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

2000x.50