A US Army M113A3 in the ambulance role.
Source: US Army (Sgt. 1st Class Johancharles Van Boers) -
© public domain
The M113 is an armored personnel carrier of US origin. It was developed in the late 1950's as a replacement for the M75 and M59 armored personnel carriers. The M75 was well armored and expensive while the M59 was highly mobile but lack protection and reliability. The M113 is one of the most numerous combat vehicles ever produced and served as a chassis for a wide variety specialist versions, some of which are described in an article of their own.
The M113 has the same layout as the earlier M75 and M59 in being an armored box on a tracked chassis. The engine and driver are located at the front. The troop compartment is located at the rear and is accessed trough a large ramp at the rear. The commander is seated behind the engine in the middle and has access to a low profile cupola which usually mounts a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.
The M113 is armed with a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on a ring mount that is usually fitted with a gun shield and all round armored plates. The Vietnam era ACAV modification added a 7.62mm M60 machine gun behind a gun shield on each side. The M113 chassis has been used for many weapon platforms such as tank destroyers with the 106mm M40 recoilless rifles or TOW missiles and mortar carriers with a 81mm, 107mm or 120mm mortar.
The M113 has aluminum armor that protects against small arms fire and shell splinters all around. Several improvement kits exist to increase protection against larger caliber rounds and slat armor can be fitted to reduce the effect of anti-tank missiles. An NBC system is standard and smoke grenade dischargers are optional.
The tracked chassis gives the M113 a very good cross country mobility. Originally a 209 hp petrol engine was fitted, but this was changed to a diesel engine in all subsequent production models. The maximum of 68 km/h is adequate but does not allow it to keep up with the M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley. The M113 is fully amphibious and propels itself in the water using its tracks.
The main operator of the M113 was the US army, but many have been exported to US allies with most being NATO members. With the introduction of the better armed and armored M2 Bradley and the faster Stryker the use of the M113 in US service has been reduced significantly. Many US M113's have been exported as well. In foreign service M113's have often been upgraded with various armor kits and weapon stations not found in US service.
A M113A2 during a training excersize in the desert.
Source: US Army (unknown photographer) -
© public domain
The M113 is an armored personnel carrier and serves as the baseline vehicle of the M113 family. There are four major versions of the M113. In foreign service with a myriad of upgrades and variants arose.
During the Vietnam war the ARVN improved its M113's with additional protection for the main turret and additional machine guns. The US army adopted this idea and developed the ACAV kit, which stands for Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle. The ACAV kit adds all round protection for the existing M2HB position and adds two 7.62mm M60 machine guns with gun shields. Both the M113 and M113A1 were fitted with the ACAV kit, but since the Vietnam war the M60 mounts have no longer been used.
The M113 Command & Reconnaissance is based on the M113. It has a shorter chassis and lower roofline to reduce its silhouette.
The M577 is an armored command post vehicle based on the M113 chassis. It features a higher roofline.
American tank destroyer fitted with a retractable launcher with two BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles ready to fire.
The M106 is a self-propelled mortar with the 4.2-inch (107mm) M30 mortar firing through large roof hatches.
The M1064A3 self-propelled mortar is an updated version of the M106A2. It combines the 120mm Soltam K6 mortar with the automotive improvements of the M113A3.
Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on M113 chassis. Armed with 20mm M168 Vulcan.
Israeli modification of the M163 Vulcan, features ability to launch FIM-92 Stinger.
Italian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on modified M113A2 chassis. Armed with four 25mm KBA autocannon.
The M2HB heavy machine gun is the main armament of the M113 armored personnel carrier.
The M60 is used on the ACAV variant of the M113. On both sides of the rear roof hatch a gun shield with M60 is fitted.
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