ground vehicles

7/28/2019 Ground Vehicles

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INFANTRY VEHICLES


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M113 Armored Personnel Carrier

Provide a highly mobile, survivable, and reliable tracked-vehicle platform that is able to keep pace with Abrams- and Bradley-

equipped units and that is adaptable to a wide range of current and future battlefield tasks through the integration of specialized

mission modules at minimum operational and support cost.


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History

Entered Army Service: 1960

Description

After more than four decades, the M113 family of vehicles (FOV) is still in service in the U.S. Army (and in many foreignArmies). The original M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) helped to revolutionize mobile military operations. Thesevehicles carried 11 soldiers plus a driver and track commander under armor protection across hostile battlefieldenvironments. More importantly, these vehicles were air transportable, air-droppable, and swimmable, allowing planners

to incorporate APCs in a much wider range of combat situations, including many ?rapid deployment? scenarios. TheM113s were so successful that they were quickly identified as the foundation for a family of vehicles. Early derivativesincluded both command post (M577) and mortar carrier (M106) configurations.

Over the years, the M113 FOV has undergone numerous upgrades. In 1964, the M113A1 package replaced the originalgasoline engine with a 212 horsepower diesel package, significantly improving survivability by eliminating the possibility ofcatastrophic loss from fuel tank explosions. Several new derivatives were produced, some based on the armored M113chassis (e.g., the M125A1 mortar carrier and M741 ?Vulcan? air defense vehicle) and some based on the unarmoredversion of the chassis (e.g., the M548 cargo carrier, M667 ?Lance? missile carrier, and M730 ?Chaparral? missile carrier).In 1979, the A2 package of suspension and cooling enhancements was introduced.

Today?s M113 fleet includes a mix of these A2 variants together with other derivatives equipped with the most recent A3RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package. The standard RISE package includes an upgradedpropulsion system (turbocharged engine and new transmission), greatly improved driver controls (new power brakes andconventional steering controls), external fuel tanks, and a 200 AMP alternator with 4 batteries. Additional A3improvements include incorporation of spall liners and provisions for mounting external armor.

The future M113A3 fleet will include a number of vehicles that will have high speed digital networks and data transfersystems. The M113A3 digitization program includes applying appliqu?ardware, software, and installation kits and hostingthem in the M113 FOV.

Current variants:

Mechanized Smoke Obscurant SystemM548A1/A3 Cargo CarrierM577A2/A3 Command Post CarrierM901A1 Improved TOW VehicleM981 Fire Support Team VehicleM1059/A3 Smoke generator CarrierM1064/A3 Mortar CarrierM1068/A3 Standard Integrated Command POost System CarrierOPFOR Surrogate Vehicle (OSV)


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AAVP7A1 Amphibious Personnel

The AAVP7A1 is an armored assault amphibious full-tracked landing vehicle.


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History

The AAV7A1 is the newest Assault Amphibian in a series that started with the Roebling ALLIGATOR. TheAlligator was developed over a period of 7 years, starting in 1932. The first "Gators" were a disappointment, in thatthe water speed was only 2.5 mph. The land speed was 25 mph. Through design changes, and by using largerengines, the water speed of the Alligator was increased to 8.6 mph by 1939. In 1940, Roebling built a new modelwhich was designated the CROCODILE. The Crocodile had a land speed of 25 mph and a water speed of 9.4mph. The LVT-1 was a direct copy of the Crocodile, except that it was fabricated from sheet steel instead of

aluminum. The LVT-1 was in production from 1941 to 1943. Being heavier, the land speed of the LVT-1 was 18mph and the water speed was 7 mph. A 6-cylinder, 146 hp Hercules engine was used for power. The LVT-1 waspropelled by two endless chains fitted with cleats, both in the water and on land. The first LVT-1's were used aslogistic support vehicles only. They were not armored and carried no armament, however, this soon changed. Atthe Battle of Tarawa, bolted on armor plate was used and the vehicles were equipped with one to four 30 cal.machine guns. The second generation of LVT's was the LVT-2. This vehicle was developed in 1941 and was inproduction from 1942 to 1945. The LVT-2 was the basic design for a series of vehicles used during WW II. Thisfamily of vehicles included the: LVTA1, LVTA2, LVT4, LVTA4, and LVTA5. A few of the LVTA5s were modified in1949 and continued in service until the mid 1950s. These vehicles were powered with 7-cylinder radial aircraftengines built by Continental Motors. These engines developed 220hp, their service life was very short. Majoroverhaul was scheduled for 100 hours, however few ever lasted that long. The transmission was a 5 speed,manual shift SPICER that incorporated a manually operated steer differential. This transmission had beendeveloped for the M-3 light tank. As a result, the transmission was too narrow for the LVT. This problem wasovercome by using four final drives. The internal finals were bolted to the transmission / differential gear case andsupported by two mounting yokes. The external final drives were bolted to the hull and powered the drivesprockets. This generation of LVTs was used through the Okinawa campaign in 1945.

Description

The AAVP7A1 is an armored assault amphibious full-tracked landing vehicle. The vehicle carries troops in wateroperations from ship to shore, through rough water and surf zone. It also carries troops to inland objectives afterashore.


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Bradley Fighting Vehicle M-2/M-3

Armored fighting vehicle


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Description

The BFVS is a lightly armored, fully tracked fighting vehicle that provides cross-country mobility, mountedfirepower and protection from artillery and small-arms fire. It is used in mechanized infantry and armored cavalrycombat.

It possesses sufficient cross-country mobility to keep up with the Abrams Main Battle Tank, medium and long-range firepower capable of defeating any vehicle on the battlefield, and is adequately armored to protect the crew

from artillery and small arms threats. The Bradley is able to close with and destroy enemy forces in support ofmounted and dismounted Infantry and Cavalry combat operations. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle family currentlyconsists of two vehicles: the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. Just as with itspredecessor, the M113 family, the Bradley will eventually be the platform for a wide range of support vehicles.

Infantry can fight from inside the vehicle by using modified M-16 rifles mounted in firing ports or may dismountfrom the M-2 version to fight on foot. The vehicle is armed with a 25mm cannon, effective against most armoredtargets, and with the TOW missile, effective against lightly armored targets out to its maximum range of 3,750meters (2.3 miles).


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LAV-25 Wheeled Vehicle

The LAV-25 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities, offering strategic and tactical mobility.

D i ti


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Description

Provide strategic mobility to reach and engage the threat, tactical mobility for effective use of fire power, fire powerto defeat soft and armored targets, battlefield survivability to carry out combat missions.

The LAV-25 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities. It is air transportable via C-130, C-141, C-5and CH-53 E. When combat loaded there are 210 ready rounds and 420 stowed rounds of 25 mm ammunition aswell as 400 ready rounds and 1200 stowed rounds of 7.62mm. There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of

smoke grenades. A supplementary M240E1 7.62mm machine gun can be pintle-mounted at the commander'sstation in the turret. The LAV-25 is fully amphibious with a maximum of 3 minutes preparation.


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LAV-AT Wheeled Anti-Tank

The LAV-AT provides highly mobile, protected anti-armor fire support to light infantry and recon forces.


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Description

Provide highly mobile, protected anti-armor fire support to light infantry and reconnaissance forces; provide capability todefeat heavy, armored targets at long ranges.

The LAV-AT is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities. It is air transportable via C-130, C-141, C-5 and CH-53 E. When combat loaded there are 2 ready and 14 stowed TOW II ATGMs as well as 200 ready rounds and 800 stowedrounds of 7.62mm ammunition. There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of smoke grenades. The missiles can beloaded under armor. The vehicle can be made fully amphibious within 3 minutes.


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Stryker Vehicle

The Stryker is the Stryker Brigade Combat Team's primary combat and combat support platform.

History


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History

Entered Army Service: 2002.

Description

The Stryker is the Stryker Brigade Combat Team's primary combat and combat support platform and the focal point of this ongoingphase of Army Transformation. Significantly lighter and more transportable than existing tanks and armored vehicles, the Strykerfulfills an immediate requirement to provide Combatant Commanders with a strategically deployable (C-17/C-5) and operationallydeployable (C-130) brigade capable of rapid movement anywhere on the globe in a combat ready configuration.

On February 27, 2002, The Army formally named its new Interim Armored Vehicle the "Stryker" in a ceremony at Fort Lauderdale,Fla. The Stryker is a highly deployable-wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability andversatility, with reduced logistics requirements.

The vehicle was named in honor of two Medal of Honor recipients: Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who served in World War II, and Spc.Robert F. Stryker, who served in Vietnam. The Stryker will be a primary weapons platform for the IBCTs. It will assist the IBCT incovering the near-term capabilities gap between our Legacy Force heavy and light units. The Stryker-equipped IBCT will provide the

joint and multinational force commander increased operational and tactical flexibility to execute the fast-paced, distributed, non-contiguous operations envisioned across the full spectrum of conflict.

The Stryker interim armored vehicle (IAV) is a 19-ton, eight-wheeled armored vehicle that provides the Army a family of ten differentvehicles on a common chassis. The Stryker comprises two variants - the Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and the Mobile Gun System

(MGS). The ICV has eight additional configurations: Mortar Carrier (MC), Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV), Commanders Vehicle (CV),Fire Support Vehicle (FSV), Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV), Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV), Anti-tank Guided Missile Vehicle(ATGM), and NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV).

A total of 2,112 Strykers will be fielded to the six SBCTs and training base. Eight configurations are in production now, the firstsystems having been delivered to the Army from General Dynamics Land Systems in February 2002. The MGS and NBCRV are indevelopment and will be delivered beginning in 2004.

Stryker vehicles have robust armor protection, can sustain speeds of 60 miles-perhour, have parts commonality and selfrecoveryabilities and also have a central tire inflation system. The Infantry Carrier Vehicle carries a nine-man infantry squad and a crew of twoand has a Remote Weapon Station with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun or MK-19, 40mm grenade launcher. Additionally, and just asimportant, the Stryker family of vehicles stresses performance and commonality that reduces the logistics footprint and minimizesustainment costs. The same engine used in the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) powers the Stryker. The Stryker can

reach speeds in excess of 60 mph with a range exceeding 300 miles on 53 gallons of fuel.The Stryker is designed to enable the SBCT to maneuver more easily in close and urban terrain, while providing protection in openterrain. Performance highlights include C-130 transportability; internetted C4ISR capability; integral all around armor protection from14.5mm projectiles and 152mm artillery airburst protection (upgradeable to Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) protection with addonarmor); self-deployment and self-recovery capability; reduced vehicle acoustic signature; ability to carry a nine-man infantry orengineer squad; and bunker and wall breaching capability. These performance highlights provide a force that will move rapidly as acohesive combined arms combat team, a capability not currently in the Army inventory. These attributes make the Stryker the

Army?s first true system-of-systems and enable the SBCT's unique organic combined arms capability.


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TANKS


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M1 Abrams Tank

The M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank is the namesake of the late General Creighton W. Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff

and commander of the 37th Armored Battalion.

History


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History

Fielded in February 1980, the M1 General Abrams main battle tank revolutionized armored warfare. Incorporating an advanced shoot-on-the-move fire controlsystem, a thermal imaging sight, a 1500 horsepower gas turbine engine and an advanced armor design similar to the Chobham armor developed in England, the M1was the most lethal armored vehicle in the world. Conceived in 1971 as a replacement for the aging M60 tank, which was itself an extension of the 1050s era M 47/48program, the M1 was going to be of a completely new design, establishing a new family of American main battle tanks. Providing the Abrams with a true shoot onthe move capability, the fire control system automatically corrects for range, turret slew (motion) rate, crosswind, and tank axial tilt (cant). In addition, the gunnermanually enters ammunition or weapon type, air and ammunition temperatures, barometric pressure, and gun tube wear, while range is instantly calculated by aNd:YAG (Neodymium doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) near infrared laser rangefinder. Lastly, the gunner can compensate for gun tube deformation (caused eitherby heat generated from firing the cannon or atmospheric changes) through the use of a muzzle reference system, which allows for a rapid realignment of the cannonand the gunner's primary sight.

The Chobham armor built into the M1 represents a veritable leap in armor technology. Composed of layers of metal, ceramics, and spaces, this new armor is farsuperior to RHA (Rolled Homogeneous Armor) in defeating kinetic and chemical energy weapons. To increase crew safety and survivability, all of the M1'sammunition is stored in armored compartments which are designed vent dangerous gasses and fragments away from the crew in the event of an ammunitionexplosion. The crew and engine compartments are equipped with an automatic fire suppression system, utilizing numerous fire detection sensors and pressurizedHalon gas, which can react to and suppress a compartment fire in less than 250 ms.

To survive on the NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) battlefield the M1 is also equipped with both an over pressurization and air sterilization system which willprotect the crew from these hazards and allow them to continue combat operations without having to wear protective overgarments and masks while buttoned upinside the vehicle.

Lastly, the M1 was the first land combat vehicle to utilize a gas turbine multi fuel engine, which offers a higher power to weight ratio than any other contemporarytank power plant and gives the Abrams unparalleled tactical mobility and cross country speed. The M1 retains the M68 105mm rifled cannon used on the M60 seriestanks, which was originally based on the British M7 105mm cannon design, and is capable of firing both rifled and fin stabilized ammunition. In addition, the M1 isequipped with two M240 7.62mm machine guns; one mounted coaxially with the main gun and fired by gunner, and the other mounted at the loader's station. TheCommanders Weapon Station (CWS) is equipped with an M2 heavy barrel Caliber .50 machine gun. The CWS can be reconfigured to fire the M240 machine gun as asubstitute.) The M1 is equipped with a pair of M250 red phosphorus smoke grenade launchers and is capable of generating smoke by injecting diesel fuel into theengine exhaust.

Originally designated the XM1, the first production model was designated the M1, of which 2,374 were built between 1982 and 1985. In 1984 the M1IP (ImprovedProduct) was introduced, which was outwardly identical to the M1, but which incorporated a number of internal automotive, electronic and armor improvements.Production of the M1IP was halted at 84 tanks in 1986, when the Lima and Detroit tank plants were reconfigured to produce the up-gunned 120mm M1A1. In 1992 astudy was conducted evaluating the feasibility of upgrading the Army's fleet of M1s to M1A2 SEP (Standard Equipment Package) standard and low rate productionwas approved in 1994. Since then the Army had agreed to convert 547 M1s to the M1A2 SEP standard.

Description

The M1 has a very angular appearance, reflecting the modular nature of its armor components, with the turret mounted centrally on the hull. The M1 has a crew offour. The driver sits centered in the hull and forward of the turret, while the loader, gunner and tank commander occupy the turret, with the loader situated to the leftof the main gun and the gunner and tank commander sitting in tandem on the right side. The driver's hatch has three periscope vision blocks which provide forforward vision. The center vision block may be removed and replaced with an AN/TVS-2 low-light periscope. The engine is mounted in the rear of the vehicle with theexhaust coming out from a louvered grill centrally mounted in the rear of the hull.

The M1 utilizes a torsion bar suspension with seven pairs of cast aluminum road wheels and two return rollers. The drive sprocket is to the rear, an idlercompensation wheel is located forward, and there is a gap between the first and second pair of road wheels. The M1 has armored skirts running the full length of thetrack. M1 track is made up of vulcanized rubber blocks (M156 variety) or removable rubber pads (M158.) The turret is also angular in appearance, with the main gunmounted in an exposed mantlet in the center of the turret face.

The M68 rifled cannon is equipped with a metal thermal shroud, a bore gas evacuator located two-thirds of the way down on the barrel, and is equipped with aMuzzle Reference System collimator on the muzzle itself. The M240 coaxial (COAX) machine gun is located to the right of the main gun, with the flash tube extendingthrough the main gun mantlet. The Gunner's Auxiliary Sight (GAS) aperture is located below the COAX flash tube on the right side of the main gun.

The M1 has two turret access hatched, mounted side by side, in the middle of the turret roof. The loader's hatch, located on the left side, is equipped with a pintlemounted M240 7.62mm machine gun. The hatch itself is equipped with a single vision periscope on a rotating base. When not in use, the drivers AN/TVS-2 sight maybe used in the loader's hatch vision block. The tank commander's hatch is ringed by vision periscopes and the Commander's Weapon Station cupola is equippedwith an M2 HB caliber .50 machine gun.

The M2 may be fired while the commander is "buttoned up" but the commander must be exposed to reload the weapon. The CWS can be reconfigured to fire anM240 as a replacement weapon. The Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS) is located forward of the commander's cupola. The GPS is housed in an armored box with hinged

doors shielding the optics when not in use. The GPS is divided into two halves; a clear glass window for normal daylight viewing and an IR transparent Germaniumcoated window for the thermal imaging sight.

The Laser Range Finder (LRF) is fired through the daylight window. There are individual sponson boxes located on either side of the turret for equipment storage.


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M1A2 Tank

Approved for production in 1990, the M1A2 represents a technological improvement of the basic M1A1 design.

History


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History

Approved for production in 1990, the M1A2 represents a technological improvement of the basic M1A1 design. Outwardly similar inappearance to the M1A1, the most notable exterior changes on the M1A2 are the redesigned Commander's Weapon Station (CWS)and the addition of a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer) on the left side of the turret forward of the loader's hatch. Internally,however, the M1A2 has been radically redesigned to take advantage of newer technology. Most notable of these improvements isthe addition of the Inter-Vehicle Information System (IVIS.) The IVIS system allows for the automatic and continual exchange ofinformation between vehicles. By incorporating information provided by an on board Position/Navigation (POSNAV) system, unitcommander's can track the location and progress of subordinate elements automatically, without tasking vehicle crews. In additionenemy positions can be identified, plotted and disseminated, while reports and artillery requests can be automatically formatted,

transmitted, and processed. Lastly, map graphic control measures and operational orders can be rapidly distributed via the IVISsystem. To ensure information security, all IVIS data transmissions are routed through the M1A2's SINCGARS radio system.Improving on the "hunter-killer" tank commander-gunner target hand off method pioneered on the German Leopard II, the M1A2takes this a step further by providing the Tank Commander with an independent thermal sight. This CITV sight allows the commanderto independently scan for targets in all weather conditions and through battlefield obscurants. In addition to IVIS and the CITV, theM1A2 incorporates a number of additional electronic upgrades. Power distribution throughout the tank has been improved, relying onmultiple bus paths so that in the event one conduit is damaged, power may still be delivered to a component via an alternate path.The driver's instrument display has been upgraded to a more detailed digital display and the Gunner's Primary Sight has beenstabilized in two axes for increased accuracy.

Approved for implementation in 1995, the M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) is a technology upgrade and standardizationprogram, whereby the Army's fleet of M1s and M1A2s will all be brought to a common standard. Most notable among the

modifications will be the introduction of a standard under armor auxiliary power unit and the addition a crew compartment airconditioning and cooling unit. Other modifications within the vehicle will include upgrades to the IVIS system (color display, full sizekeyboard, digital mapping and graphics generation capability, and voice recognition capabilities), upgrades to the Gunner's PrimarySight assembly, and improvement in the tank's intercom and radio communications systems. Production of the M1A2 was haltedafter the initial run of 627 vehicles. As part of the fleet upgrade program, 547 of the Army's current inventory of M1s are beingupgraded to M1A2 SEP standards, which will require the complete remanufacturing of the turret, while the current fleet of M1A2s willundergo a retrofit to bring them up to SEP standards.The M1A2 is currently available for export, albeit with a different armor composition and communications package. Saudi Arabia haspurchased 312 M1A2s, equipped with British Jaguar radios, and Kuwait has purchased 218 similarly equipped M1A2s.

Description

The M1A2 is externally very similar in appearance to the M1A1 with the exception of the redesigned Commander's Weapon Station(CWS) and the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV.) The powered cupola has been replaced with a manually operatedanti aircraft pintle mount, which cannot be fired while the commander is "buttoned up." In addition, the hatch has been enlarged andthe vision blocks have been enlarged, improving visibility. The CITV is mounted in an armored rotating cylinder on the turret accessplate forward of the Loader's station. The CITV is tall enough to limit the effectiveness of the loader's M240 machine gun through itsforward arc of fire.

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