M50 Ontos

Overview

M50 Ontos

Forward view of M50 Ontos on the move in Vietnam in 1968.

Source: US Marine Corps - © Public domain

Origin

United States

Type

Tank destroyer

Entered service

1956

Status

Out of service

Development

1952

Developer

United States - Allis-Chalmers

Production

1955 - 1957
M50 production run
1963 - 1965
M50A1 upgrade program

Producer

United States - Allis-Chalmers

Number produced

297 M50 produced
176 converted to M50A1

Designations

Rifle, Multiple 106 mm, Self-propelled, M50
Official US military service designation

Notable users

United States - USMC

Details

Facts M50 Ontos

General

Origin

United States

Type

Tank destroyer

Crew

3 (driver, gunner, loader)

Dimensions

Weight

8.6 t

Length

3.82 m

Width

2.59 m

Height

2.13 m

Main armament

Type

6x 106mm M40A1C recoilless rifle

4x 12.7mm M8C spotting rifle

Ammunition

18 rounds, 6 ready to fire

Elevation

-10 to + 20 degrees

Traverse

40 degrees over frontal arc

Secondary armament

Type

.30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine gun

Automotive

Chassis

Tracked chassis

Suspension

Torsion bar

Ground pressure

0.36 kg/cm^2

Engine

M50: General Motors Model 302 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 145 hp

M50A1: Chrysler HT-361-318 8-cylinder gasoline engine, 180 hp

Mobility

Max speed

48 km/h

Range

185 km

Ground clearance

0.37 m

Wall

0.7 m

Trench

1.35 m

Fording

0.6 m unprepared

1.5 m with preparation

Protection

Armor type

Steel

Armor thickness

13 mm all around