Text and Photos by Carl Schulze Edited by James R. Hill Illustrations by Hubert CanceEditor: James R, Hil Copyright © 2004 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO. 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building 1O/F.B1, Tsuen Wan New Territories, Hong Kong www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or ‘transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concord Publications Co. We welcome authors who can help ‘expand our range of books. If you would like to submit material, please feel free to contact us. We are always on the look-out for new, unpublished photos for this series. It you have photos or slides or information you feel may be useful to future volumes, please send them to us for possible future publication, Full photo credits will be given upon publication, ISBN 962-361-677-5 tinted in Hong Kong An degree o standard MiI3.s and the oe 900 first veh operat the Vie Mu Whi the veh ‘manufac Genera engine. 1 extend tered original AL me family which is Fitters V vehicles the MS system, ranspon program fleet of suecessfI ‘The M113 was originally designed as an Armored Personal Carrer {APC) inthe late 1980s, Since the time the series production of the vehicle Stared in 1960, more than 80,000 ML13 and MI13-based vehicles have been bull. The M113's evolution has seen three major upgrading programs, fan the end of is service life is not yet known. By 1990, most nations ‘rginally fielding the MI13 as an APC had abandoned the vehicle in th ‘le and ether replaced the M113 with a new combat vehicle or with an MII S-based vchicle such us the Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV), However, most of these nations stl fielded the M113 during the 1990s in ‘unless variants such as command pest vehicles. mortar carriers, and ant tank weapon platforms, ete. Manufactured by United Defense LP Ground ‘System Division, Santa Clara, California, the M113 is use in more than 40 major variants and is in service with more than 50 nations, This book Focuses on the M113 family of vehicles sed in the 1990s, We decided to «deal with the subjet nation by nation rather than by variants tal History. In 1956, the US. Army Ordnance Tank-Auomvotive Command iniited 44 design program in order to develop a new lightweight, armored, amphibious personne! carrer with the capability tobe ai transported for the US. Army's armored and intantr units. The new vehicle was Wo replace the 'MS9 and M75 armoced personnel carriers then in servie, which had high production costs, weighed 190 much and could not follow the latest U:S, Iain battle tank, the M8, across the hatefeld, Several concepts were studied. One was called T113 and featured an aluminum-constructed hull ‘an! another, called T117, featured a stel-constructed hull. Both concepts reached provlype status and were consequently built for tials by the succesful contender FMC (Food Machinery Company) Aer rials, the aluminum 7113 was chosen because of its higher egeee of ballistic protection, durability snd eos effectiveness. Development Continued with @ modified prototype, the TLI3EI, which later was Standardized hy the US. Army as Carter Personnel, Full Tracked Armored, MUI Series production started in the FMC facility at San Jose, Califoria, an the fist M113 rolled out in June 1960. "The fist US. Army’ order was Fie 900 vehicles, Early members ofthe M13 vehicle family were the M577 ‘command post vehicle and the M106 107mm mortar carrier: Auhough the Fist vehicles were delivered to the U.S. Army, the M113 siw its fist ‘operational service with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in ‘the Vietnam War, where it was deployed from 1962 onwards. MULAAL Series ‘While the MILL3 production was already underway. the development of the vehiele continved. In 1962, the first MII3AL prototype was manufactured, which was called TI13E2, The vehicle was fitted! with a General Motors diesel engine instead of the original Chrysler V8.75M petro ‘engine. The diesel engine was incorporated into the MI13 APC in order to txend the operational range and minimize the risk of engine fires, which happened regularly withthe pewol engine. Together withthe General Motors 5V $3 water-cooled. two-stroke, diesel engine, the Allison TX-100-1 transmission was installed in the MII3A1. By 1968, when the MLI3AT ‘entred production. FMC had already produced 10,000 vehicles of the Crigial M13, The M13 family members were now also delivered with the ‘Al muliieations. The MS77A1 and MIQ6AI also were joined by new family members such as the MI2SA1 Simm mortar erier. the M741 whic is the chassis of the M163 “Vulcan” air defense vehicle, the M579 Finers Vehicle and the MI13 Light Assault Bridge. In addition, a series of Sehicles is hased on the MIL3AL chassis, which ineludes vehicles such as the MS48 tracked cargo carrer, the M730 Chaparral surface-to-air missile system, the M7S2 Lance missile system launcher, and its MOSS teamponterloader vehicle, MULSA2 Series In 1978, the U.S. Army decided to launch a production improvement program inorder to enhance the reliability’ and perfomance ofits existing Fict of over 18,000 MI13 and MII3AT, The decision was made after successful tials with several prototype vehicles, which featured an improved engine cooling system and an improved suspension system. The suspension improvements consisted of high-strength stl torsion bars, improved shock absorbers and a stronger raised rear idler assembly. The improvements ofthe engine cooling system included a new radiator, fan and surge tank, a8 well as a redesign of the sytem in which several elements ‘were moved to different positions. With the newly designed engine cooling system, the fresh outside air was now sucked through the radiator while in ‘the pas it had fist heen sucked in over the engine and then pressed 10 the ‘outside through the radiator. The new cooling system increased cooling lfcieney, minimized oil film, and dust build-up on the radiator and, in addition, achieved a negative engine compartment pressure. which ‘minimized the possibilty that toxic engine fumes might enter the troop ‘compartment. With the MII3A2, the rear-mounted external armored fuel tanks (EFT) were availale a a production option. Since the time production began on the MI13A2 in 1979, many non U.S. orders have required the fiting of rear-mounted external armored fel tank, which provide more intemal space forthe crew and dheir equipment inside the vehicle's hull and reduce the risk offre inside the vehicle. The MLIS vehicle family with the MII3A2 upgrade again welcomed new ‘members, among them the MI0S9 Smoke Generating System, the M98! Fire Support Team Vehicle (FISTV) and the M901 Improved TOW Vehicle ary, [MIAA3 Series Between 1987 and 2001, the U.S. Amy modernized their entice MUL vehicle Meet to the MIVA standard, In US. Army terms, this modernization is known as dhe RISE program (Reliability Improvement of Selected Equipment). The MII3A3 conversion was the result of a future system development program carried out by TARADCOM. (Tank Automotive Research and Development Command) of Warren, Michigan. “The prototype vehicle, which was known as the MII3ALEL, was type classified standard after intensive tials as MII3A3 in L987, Fielding ofthe first modified ML13A3 by the U.S. Army took place in the same year Major improvements of the MLI3A3 were the new turbocharged 5.2-liter 6VS3T diesel engine that develops 27Shp. anew Allison X-200-4A automatic transmission, hydrostaic secring, new driver controls using @ secring whee! an brake pedal, and a new 200 amperes generating system with four {2-volt batteries, The extemal armored fuel tanks became a standard item (éreeing 16 cubic feet of usable space inside the vehicle), a spall suppression Finer was mounted, and al vehicles were prepared to be fited with passive add-on armor, In addition, the M163 "Vulcan" tim vane became standard issue forall MII3A3 series vehicles ‘The conversion of the US. Army MII3AI and MII3A2 to MII3A3 ‘was carted out between 1987 and 1994 by the Red River Anny Depot inthe USA. the Mainz Army Depot in Germany andthe US. Army in Korea. Since 1994, conversions have been done by United Defense LP in the USA. The AJ RISE conversion was also carried out on the MI13 family members such asthe MS77 and the M1059. All vehicles produced by United Defense LP Since 1987 are of A3 standard. From the outside, the MMLISAS, distinguished from the MLI3A2 by the provisions forthe inst ‘add-on armor kit A Tour around the MUI3A3 APC Like its family predecessors, the MII3A3 is fully tacked, light armored personne carne that provides protected transportation and cress- ‘country mobility fr oops and their equipment. lis box-shaped hulls made ‘of aluminum armoe, which provides the crew with protection against the effecs of small arms fire and shell splinters. Inside the M1133, a spall ‘Suppression lining is mounted to the side of and reat. The power tain is situated atthe front right of the vehicle. It consists of the 5 2tter, Detroit Diesel Engine Division of General Motors, water-cooled, twrbo-charped. 6VS3T twosstrokecycle-type diesel engine tht develops 27Shp and the Allison X-200-44 Automatic hyUrokinetc wansmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The new transmission allowed the elimination ofthe nsf case and controled differential used in earlier M13 variants‘The RISE power tran increased the fuel economy, performance and braking capabilities of the vehicle. In addition, it allows the vehicle to Inaintain speed when driving on curves by accelerating the outer track instead of braking the inner rack as in previous variants, AM air intakes and ‘outlets, including the exhaust, are placed under a grill assembly situated on the front right side of the roof. Located under the tim vane mounted onthe Front plate san engine aceess hinge that opens tothe upper font. The diver sits atthe front left in the hull, He enters his postion via a lege one-piece hatch that opens to the rear. The MI9 infrared periscope situated in the driver's hatch was replaced on the MII3A3 with an AN/VVS-2 night viewer system, The MII3A3 has a steering yoke that combines all stcering controls in pace ofthe steering laterals of earlicr variants. The diver has afoot pel for braking. Other controls situated at the driver's postion include accelerator pedal, transmission contol, ramp contol lever, and warting Tight panel. The driver can also operate an engine compartment fie extinguishing system, ‘The postion of the vehicle commander is situated inthe center of the ‘MUS. behind the driver and power iain. The roof-mounted commander’ ‘cupola, which can be traversed 360°, features five ML7 periscopes, as well as a single-piece hatch that opens 0 the rear. Alo belonging 10 the commander's cupola is & pintle mount for the 12.7mm M2 HB heavy ‘machine gun. While the machine gun is the only armament of the basic courier. most MII3A3- variants are sso fiued with a pair of smoke dischargers mounted om the left and right ofthe vehicle's front plate. Each side Feaures a pack of four smoke discharger tubes The MII fanily of vehicles has a running gear consisting of Five road wheels a rear idler and a front drive sprocket on either sie. Torsion bar suspension supported by shock absorbers on the is, second and fifth road wheel is another feature of the MI13A3. Earlier MII3 models used shock absorbers only om the Fist and last rod! shee! on each side. The troop compartment ofthe MIIRA3 is situated i the rear of the vehicle, and there is space within for up to eleven soldiers and their kt. The soldiers enter and cave the vehicle via lange poweroperated rear ramp. When the ramp is closed. the troops can also use a door in the ramp. Inside the t:o0p ‘compartaen, the soldiers sit facing inwards on detachable henches located along the let and right side. ln the oof above the troop compartment ther is lage one-piece hatch that opens to the rear, When opened, this allows the roops inside wo fie over hoard other vehicle, hut his means the soldiers" upper bodies ar exposed to-enemy fire. The external armored fuel tanks are outside the ul tothe left an Fight of the rear ramp. Each tank contains 180 liters (47.5 gallons) of ise fuel: Like its earlier versions, the M113A3 is fully amphibious. When ‘operated in water, the vehicle is driven and steered by its rack, the same as itis on land, For amphibious operation, the trim vane is erected, which ‘rma is folded back agains! the front plate, Tw bilge pumps tke care of ingressing water, ‘MIS in Foreign Service Virtually since the time series production started in 1960, the M113 has been sold 0 other user nations. Inthe 1990s, the MII and its variants were fn service with the armed forces of the following. nations: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosoia and Herzegovina, Brazil Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Denmark, Ecuador. Egypt Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, lan, Img, Isacl, aly, Jordan, South Kores, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Moroeco, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Spuin, Sudan, Switverand, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey. Uruguay. ‘Viena, and Yemen. While the M113 has mostly been replaced in is role as armored personnel earir, i is use by these nations in various roles. ‘Mest ofthese user nations have modified the oxiginally delivered ML13s 1 their own requirements. ta addition, several users have built their own variants fused om the MILA chassis and hull. In Germany, for example Henschel Wehvrelnik, formerly known as Thyssen Henschel and toy belonging to Krauss-Matfai Wegmann, developed an aillery observation ost vehicle forthe Bundeswehr based on the M113, Not all M113s were produced at the San Jose facility in the USA by FMC, which today belongs to United Defense LP. Otobreda eared out Hicense produedion in Italy and built several thousand: MIT3s there. In addition, M13 kits were sent to foreign users and then assembied in ‘country, example, in Pakisian. M1136 were also produced in Turkey by ‘Aiken, Stel Production Division, and FMC-Nurol. The huge numberof user counties and variants make it searly impossible to list the operational ‘deployments ofthe M113 vehicle family. However, you can say that since ‘the early 1960, dhe MIL13 and its variants have taken parti every’ major conflict fought on this planet. The M13 was widely used by the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces during the View War, with Israch forces inthe 1967 Six-Day Was, duting the civil war in Lebanon in 1975, inthe Yor Kippur War of 1973, and with U.S, and Coalition forces in the Gulf War of 1991. From 1992 onwards, vehicles of the MI13 family have seen action “with various nations inthe former Yugoslavia. ML3s have belonged tothe inventory ofthe U.N. Forces operating in Bosnia and Croatia since 1992, of the IFOR and SFOR troops since 1995, and KFOR troops since 1999. The MILB also saw aetion in Somalia with U.N, Frees i 1992, Rwanda i 199 ‘and East Timor in 2000, Abbreviations ACAV ‘Armored Cavalry Assault Vehiele APC ‘Armored Personnel Cater APCLE ‘Armored Persoanel Cartier Life Extension ARVN ‘Army ofthe Republic of Vietnam AMFIL) ACE (Allied Command Europe) Mobile Force (Land) cme Combat Mancuver Training Center DAREOD Damaged Airfield Reconnaissance Explosive Ordnance Disposal EFT External Puel Tank OD. Explosive Ondnance Disposal FUR Forward Looking Infrared EMC Food Machinery Company FF Identiication Friend Foe IFOR Implementation Force FV Infantry Fighting Vehicle FISTB. Fire Support Team Bradley FISTV Fire Support Team Vehicle ISAF International Security Assistance Force iv Improved TOW Vehicle KFOR Kosovo Foree MNB(S) Moltinationa Brigade (South) MNB(W) Multinational Brigade (West) Mob Ministry of Defense MIVL Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light NATO ‘North Atlantic Treaty Organization REFORGER Return of Forces ta Germany SAM Surfice-t-Ait Missile SFOR Stabilization Force SHORAD Short Range Air Defense sicps Standard Inegrated Command Post System TOW Tube:launched, Optcal-tracked, Wire-guided sn-tank missile ‘TARADCOM “Tank Automotive Rescarch and Development Command Tua “TOW Under Armor UN United Nations LUNPROFOR, United Nations Protection Force USA, United States of America ‘Acknowledgements First I would like to thank my wife for her patience and supp while | was working on this book. Many thanks also goto Michael Jrchel, Ralph Zoilling, Yves Dobay, Peter Blume, and Walther Bohm for providing additional pictures. { would also like 10 thank JP Morgan and Clemens Niesner fo addtional suppor. 1 would also like to thank Freddie Leung for teusting me that [would he able wo deal with the subject. V hope iis up to ‘the required standard.Vehicle Variant Series productions Crew: Combat weight: Net weight: Length: With Height to ‘commander's cupola: Maximum speed on land: Maximum speed amphibious: ‘Track width: Suspension type: Engine: ‘Transmission: ‘Armor of asi hull: Cruising range: Fuel capacity: Slope: Side slope: Vertical obstacle crossing: ‘Trench erossing: Ground clearance: Batteries: Alternator: Acceleration 0-20mph: Average cross ‘country speed: Technical Data of the M113 Basic Vehicle Mu3 since 1960 2+ 10258ke 8960kg 486m 2.69m 222m 64krvh S.8kiwh 038m ‘Torsion bar and two shock absorbers on each side at the first and fith road wheel 5.9-liter Chrysler V-8 75M water-cooled petrol engine of four-stroke eycle type developing 209hp Allison TX-200 ‘Automatic transmission with six forward gears and one reverse gear. 5083 Aluminum 321km 302 liters 0% 30% tem 1.68m 043m 2x12 Volt 100 Amperes 12.0 seconds Data not available MU3AI since 1964 2+u 10750kg 9702kg 4.86m, 269m, 67km/h S.8knvh 0.38m Torsion bar and two shock absorbers on each Side at the first and fifth road wheel 2-liter Detroit Diesel gine Division Gene! Motors water-cooled diesel engine 6V 53 of two-stroke cycle type Allison TX-100-1 Automatic transmission With three forward gears and one reverse g¢ Ir 5083 Aluminum 480km 360 liters 60% 30% tem 1.68m 043m 2x12 Volt 100 Amperes 10.5 seconds ata not available MII3A2, since 1979 24H H34ikg 9926kg 4.86m 2.69m 222m ‘67knvh S.8kmv/h 038m Torsion bar and thre shock absorbers on each side atthe first, second and fifth road whee! 5.2liter Detroit Diese Engine Division General Motors water-cooled diesel engine 6V 53 of two-stroke cycle type developing 215hp Allison TX-100-1 ‘Automatic transmission ‘with three forward gears and one reverse gear. 5083 Aluminum 880km 360 liters 0% 30% 61cm 168m 048m 2x12 Volt 100 Amperes 11.7 seconds 16.8 mph MII3A3, since 1987 2+ 12247kg 10832ks 53m 269m, 6kiwh .8knvh, 038m Torsion bar and three shock absorbers on each side at the first, second and fifth road wheel 5.2-liter Detroit Diesel Engine Division General Motors water-cooled turbo-charged diese] engine 6VS3T of two- stroke cycle type developing 275hp Allison X-200-44 Automatic hydrokinetic transmission with four forward gears and two reverse gears. 5083 Aluminum 483km 360 liters 60% 30% 61em osm 043m, 4x12 Volt 200 Amperes 8.1 seconds 22 mphThis MS77A2 command post vehicle has its tim vane lowered and is engine access hatch opened fr m The vehicle belongs tothe Sth Batiaon, 17th Feld Artifery Regiment ofthe 210th Field Arilery Brigade. In 1990, when the picture was taken, the unit ‘belonged to the corps artilory ofthe Vith Corps and was equipped with the 110 seltpropelled howitzer. In arlery unis, the MS77A2 operales as 2 ‘command post, butt also s09s use as 4 fre-irction center vehicle ye This picture shows an MIOIS carrer for containerized equipment lihich is based on the MS4BA\. In total, 252 vehicles saw service wi ihe US. Army betwoen 1962 and 1996. This vehicle of the 22nd Mitary Inteligence Battalion ofthe 2nd Armored Division, which i taking part inthe REFOAGER 90 exorcise “Conturion Shield” carries an ANTSQ 114 TTalblazer radio communications intercept and direction finder system, Omer a. Sr os i us = The pictured M163A1 Vulcan belongs tothe Sh Batialon, rd Ai Defense Artilery Regiment ofthe &th Infantry Dnvsion. The vehicle chassis, which is signatod as M741, is basicaly an M17SAY fied with a suspension locking system, buoyant pods on ether si ‘daionalhaich on the vehicle's root Mounted in the center ofthe roo s the the power-operated one-man tet wi 3 the hula buoyant trim vane. and an the 20mm M68 Vulcan gun (MichaelFor several years, the MT69AT Vulcan formed the clase air defense capabity of the US. Army. Together with the M730 Chaparral it was operated the Air Defense Arilery Regiments ofthe combat avsions. These battalions were equipped wih 24 places of each system. Other nations’ miltary that uso the MY6A1 are the armed forces of Israel, Portugal, Jordan, Morocco, Thailand, Sudan. and Yemen. (Michael Jerche! The main weapon system of the MI63A1 Vulcan s the 20mm M68 Vulcan Gun. The gun can be fred either with a cadence of 1000 rounds per minute when lused against ground forces or with 3000 rounds a minute when used ln the ait defense role. Maximum combat range against fying targets s 1200m (1912 yards). Under ne lft cover next fo the gun i situated the EMTECH AN/VPS-2 I-band pulse ‘Seen in 1993, this MS77A2 belongs fo the medica platoon of Doppler radar. adktion to the 2Onm gun system inside the vehicle, wo Singer 3rd Squadron, Ath Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division ‘SA and a shoulder launcher ar also cared. (Michael Jerche!) (Raton Zwiling)cation Kits to upgrade the Army’ inventory "carr onto which the MI57 smoke generator et engine to produce the smoke In addon tothe new M1S7A2 goneraars Pi ino now vehicles were ced MI0S9A3s The Mis7| “aa ‘Note the buoyant ne necassary with all M1 13A3 vari ‘The MB4BAI isa racked cargo carrer based on the M1 1341. T M548 entered the U.S. Army's inventory in 1966, From 1984 onwar vehicles were modernized tothe MS48A1 standard, and a further upgrade am was caried out beginning in 1993, bringing the vehicle to the IMS4BA3 standard. The diferent improv ariad out on the US. Army's MI 13s. The photograph show red Dwi somewhere in belong o Bataion of 1st Arm MS4BAI isa tracked the cargo bay has a dimension of 3.3m (10.8 m (7.8 1). The tly amphibious vehicle shares many tchrical detals with the MI ‘engine, arbor and running ear ‘which bot arto ppany ofthe generator is orage box that the crewIn the US. Army, the forward observation officer teams of the atilery 12 M9B1A3 FISTV. The vehico entered service in early 1985. Since 1907, when the production of tho M7 Fre Support Team Brace (FISTB) started, the days have been numbered forthe M9BIAS FISTVs, bul ‘estimated thatthe vehicle wil slay in service wel info the frst decade ofthe 2st century. The pictured vehicle belongs tothe dsion arly of the Tst ‘Armored Division and is altached 10 the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavaly Regiment. ‘An MS77A2 dung the 1996 IFOR deployment of U.S. forces to Bosnia, [Note the IFF panels and the raised antenna mast.ed to Bosnia as 57 Smoke Generator Ses, which of an hour using the fog of sd with an ACAV commanders up- dis front shield can be seen on the rear roo! ofthe veicle, ‘An Moog Ft ‘Support Team Vehicle) of {st Battalion, 79 Fis y Regiment. This ear view shows 10 advantage the EFTs that were mounted 1 all M113 of the US. Army under the A3 RISE upgrade program. The vehicle's turret is lowered into the traveling positon,eeay 7 ‘Mechanics have removed the sembly and the 5.2liter1:35 M-113"When US troops began the invasion of Faq In March 2003, hey sll had a large number of M1T3sin thelr inventory. This drawing shows on M1133 of the HG company of a unknown mechanized infantry Battalion of the 3ed infantry Division on its way to the raqi border, Note the IFF panel on the side of the vehicle side ond the way the crew's equipment i sored.The US. Army deploys the 139" Volcano Vehicle Launched Scatterable Mine ‘System (VLSMS),. which is based on an MS4BAY. The M199 Volcano multiple delivery imine system makes it possible y 860 mines at 2 density of tepersonnel mines can be Used, and 2 fpical M67 Minecanister mix includes one BLU-828 anti-personnel mine ‘and five BLU-918 antitank mines. (Ralph Zwilig) The MS4841 fted with the M139 Volcano Vohicie- Launched. Scatterable Mine ‘System (VLSMS) belongs to ihe 9h Engineer Battalion of the 1st Infanty Division and was photagraphed during the Units CMTC rotation in 200}. (Ralph Zwiling) ‘ "— aN Se =e Pe oa Nee fear Anew OM? TT MT LAS eI saci St BH! Saar ene ee ee ee ee een BE eee ee enetnr ecmientp mesic urcecemmrey eat yl a esha eer IC pale crete gep a demerit iam Sas eae oe pe a Fea a iepeso si of sank oF an bo a7 sank This photograph of an M1243 ambulance of the 1st Battalon, 77th 'e running gear. The running gear othe M113 family of vehicles consists of five road wheels, a rear ier and [M113 has torsion bar suspension 8 ont drive sprocket on either Supported by shock absorbers on the first, second and With road wheel. he 13 ‘An MS77A2 bolonging tothe ist Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment on jmtha | exereise in contal Germany in 2002. The vehicle has one of ts <'Note | masts mounted on the roo, while other antennas are closet ton the raised art of the root ‘Another picture of an 113A armored ambulance. This belongs 10 the 2nd Battalion, th Infantry Regiment, which is part ofthe Tst ‘Armored Division. Photographed during an exerise inthe autumn of 2001, the vehicle shows the mouning points forthe bolts ofthe add-on side armor, which made up part ofthe RISE program modifications. Note the layout the root of the M1143; the drivers hatch i stated 1 the font lft, while the commanders hatch is situated in the center The engine ar intake louvers and exhaust are visible atthe toot right ‘AnMS77A2, which balongs tothe 1st Squadron, ist Cavaly Regiment, takes part in a field training exoraise in 2002, The vehice features the ‘standard NATO three-color eamouflage patton. The history of the M577 n with the building of th fst prototypes in 1962. These were simple, ans of M138 with their hulls raised over the troop compartmont. ‘Series production started the same year. More than 7000 vehices were ‘manufactured in the basic, A1. A2 and A3 versions and they are in service With forces al over the word. From 1982 onwards, the U.S. Army modiiod their fleet of M778 tothe M068A3 Carrer Standard Integrated Command Fost Sysiom (SICPS) ry‘of 1st Squacron, 1st Cavalry Regiment takes a break dunng a fel traning exercise In the summer of 2002. In the cavalry unt, two MI064A3s are located with each of the three ground troops of the squadron. In the armored and mechanized infantry units the [106443 1s located n the mortar platoon of the HHC. Note the EFTs and the open door n the rear ramp. There are more than 1000 Mi064A3 mortar carers in service wit the us. Aimy. Each armored battalion, mechanized Infanty battalon and cavalry equacron is equipped with six M106443s, Note the Dase pate on the fight vehicle side, which allows for using tho mortar outside the vehicle in a ‘emounted role. The pictured MI064A3 belongs fo Ist Battalon, 7h ‘Armor Regiment. The MIO64A3 has a crew of four consisting of the aver, ‘commander, gunner, and loader. As many as 69 120mm mortar bombs can be stored within the vehicle. An M9@1A3. FISTV supports the 1st Squadron, Ist Cavalry Regiment of the {st Armored Division during an exercise in 2002. The MGB1A3 is the upgraded version of the MOBTAT FISTY, whic in tur is quite similar fo the MQOTAT ITV fank ker However, instead of being ited with the TOW Imissie. the turet of the Vehicle, which is in the raised postion, is equipped wth sophisticated observation ‘and sunellance equipment Such asthe “AN/TAS-4 thermal sight and the AN TV. GWLLD sighting system. Also fied 19 the [Maat FISTV is an extended ‘ado pack, as well as a vehicle navigation system Soldiers belonging to the mortar platoon of st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment use a 120mm mortar uring a fre mission. Prviously known a the M106, the vehicle was designated as M1064A3 following the introduction ofthe 120mm mortar. cs bol MI MI Ms MI MI Un For tu ca Mi sha vel ow MI