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M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle



Overview


M728 CEV

M728 CEV with A-frame in forward position and M9 doze blade at the front.
Source: US DoD - © Public domain

Origin
United States
Type
Combat engineer vehicle
Entered service
Mid 1960's
Status
Limited service
Development
Early 1960's
Developer
United States
Production
1965 - 1972 (M728)
1982 - 1987 (M728A1)
Producer
United States - Detroit Tank Arsenal
Number produced
312 M728 and M728A1
Designations
CEV / Combat Engineer Vehicle
Notable users
United States

Description


Introduction

The M728 CEV is a Cold War era combat engineer vehicle of US origin. It was developed in the early 1960’s to support armored formations. Its role is to remove obstacles, breach minefields and support pioneer operations. The first production run was based on newly built chassis. The M728A1 is the second production run, which consisted of converting several M60A2 Starship that were removed from service.

Layout

The M728 is based on the chassis of the M60 Patton main battle tank. The turret is modified to fit a license produced of the British 165mm L9A1 demolition gun. A dozer blade or mine plough is fitted at the front. An A-frame crane is fitted to the turret. This is used for lifting obstacles.

Firepower

The main armament of the M728 is the 165mm M135 demolition gun. A total of 30 shells are carried. The demolition gun is for use against obstacles. Effective range is about 900 meters. In a secondary role it can be used against enemy fortifications or vehicles. A 7.62mm M240 machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon. The large commander’s cupole mounts a 12.7mm M85 heavy machine gun.

Mobility

The chassis of the M60 Patton main battle tanks provides good all terrain mobility. It allows the M728 to keep up with the formations it is to support. The Continental V12 diesel engine provides up to 750 hp. This allows for a maximum road speed of 48 km/h.

Protection

Armor protection is of a similar level as the M60 Patton main battle tank. This means it is resistant to autocannon fire and some older tank guns and rocket launchers. An NBC system is present, but smoke grenade launchers are not.

Users

The main user of the M728 was the US Army. Over 300 vehicles have been produced. The M728 was used in several conflicts. Most notably the Vietnam war and the 1991 Operation Desert Storm. It was removed from active US service in the late 1990’s without replacement by a newer system. The vehicles kept in reserve are to be replaced by the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle. Various nations with ties to the US acquired small quantities of M728.

Media


Details


Facts M728 CEV
General
Origin
United States
Type
Armored engineer vehicle
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
47.4 t combat load for M728
48.3 t combat load for M728A1
Length
8.83 m
Width
3.66 m chassis
3.71 m over dozer blade
Height
3.3 m
Main armament
Type
165mm M135 demolition gun
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
30 shells
Elevation
-9° to +20° at 4°/s
Traverse
360° at 9°/s
Range
925 m
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm M73 or M219 or M240 machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.000 rounds
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm M85 heavy machine gun
Mount
Commander's cupola
Ammunition
600 rounds
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Chassis layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Suspension
Torsion bar
Tread
2.9 m
Track width
0.71 m
Length on ground
4.23 m
Ground pressure
0.86 kg/cm²
Automotive
Engine model
Continental AVDS-1790-2DR
Engine type
V12 air-cooled twin turbo diesel
Power output
750 hp
Transmission
CD-850-6A
Gears
2 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
1.460 L
Mobility
Speed
48 km/h
Range
450 km
Power to weight ratio
15.8 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.46 m
Wall
0.8 m
Trench
2.5 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
1.2 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
10.9 cm hull front
36 to 74 mm hull sides
130 mm mantlet
254 mm turret front
140 mm turret sides
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
None
Engineer equipment
Front mount
D7 mine plough
M9 Dozer Blade Assembly
Winch capacity
11 t single line
23 t double line
A-frame capacity
7.9 t single line
16 t double line

Related articles


M60 Patton

The M728 CEV is a member of the M60 Patton series of main battle tanks.

M85

The 12.7mm M85 heavy machine gun is mounted in the commander's cupola on the turret roof of the M728 CEV.