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The M113A1 is a lightly armoured full tracked air transportable
personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo.
The M113-family was developed from M59 and M75 by Ford and Kaiser Aluminium
and Chemical Co. in the late 1950´s. The vehicle is capable of:
amphibious operations in streams and lakes; extended cross country travel
over rough terrain; and high speed operation on improved roads and highways.
The M113 Family includes approximately 12 variants of light armored tracked
vehicles used in a variety of combat and combat support roles. Total density
exceeds 28,000. Today's M113 Family of Vehicles is composed of a mix of
derivative systems consisting of the A1, A2, and A3 configurations. The
current fleet includes: M113A2; M113A3; M106A2; M1064; M1064A3; M548A1;
M548A3; M577A2; M577A3; M730A2; M901A1; M981; M1068; M1068A3; M1059; and
M1059A3. Over the next 10-15 years, the majority of these systems will
be converted to the A3 configuration.
Since their initial introduction in 1960, M113-based systems have entered
service in more than 50 countries. The systems have been modified into
more than 40 identified specific variants, with many times that number
of minor field modifications. Many of these modifications have been developed
by foreign governments to meet their specific national requirements. While
some older M113 derivatives are being retired and removed from selected
inventories, other FOV members are being upgraded, reconfigured, and introduced
as entirely new systems.
More than 80,000 M113 Family of Vehicle (FOV) systems
have been produced. New M113 FOV systems are being built while existing
chassis are being upgraded to modern configurations.
The M113 APC was the first modern "battle taxi";
developed to transport infantry forces on the mechanized battlefield.
It is fitted with a 2 stroke six cylinder Detroit diesel providing power
through a 3 speed automatic gearbox and steering differential. The main
armament is a single .50 Cal heavy barrel machine gun, and the secondary
armament is a single .30 Cal machine gun. The M113 is built of aircraft
quality aluminum which allows it to possess some of the same strengths
as steel at a much lighter weight. This distinct weight advantage allows
the M113 to utilize a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, as
well as carry a large payload cross-country. The vehicle is capable of
"swimming" bodies of water.
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