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,
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
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
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
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 |
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
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) |
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
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
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 |
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,
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
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
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
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 |
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
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) |
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
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
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 |