M548

M548
M548
General properties
crew	4th
length	4.863 m
width	2,686 m
height	?
Dimensions	12.8 t (including 5 t payload)
Armor and armament
Armor	aluminum
Main armament	12.7 mm Browning 50
agility
drive	GM Detroit 6V 53 Diesel two-stroke 5220 cm³ 150 kW (204 PS) (like M113 armored personnel carrier)
suspension	Torsion bar
Top speed	61 km / h
Power / weight
Range	480 km

The M548 is a tank replenishment vehicle . It is based on the M113 infantry fighting vehicle and was built by FMC Corp in San José , USA .

technology

M548 front

drive

The power of the engine drives the intermediate drive, generator and oil pumps for the ramp hydraulics and the cooling of the steering gear. The intermediate drive can be used as a disconnect clutch when towing the vehicle and is used to reduce the engine speed. In the power transmission, the intermediate drive is followed by the torque converter with automatic lock-up clutch.

The gearbox is connected to the converter. The automatic gearbox has three forward gears and one reverse gear. The driver can select four speed levels. Stage I only uses first gear to take advantage of the engine brake on a downhill slope. Levels I – II choose between first and second gear in order to start off on hilly terrain and move forward easily without using first gear alone. The third gear stage I – III shifts back and forth between all three gears. This gear stage is suitable for moderate to easy terrain, and finally, gear stage II-III is intended for driving in road traffic, as the transmission only selects between second and third gear in order to avoid any hindrance in flowing traffic. Universal joint shafts transmit the 156 kW via angular drives, double compensating steering gears and side gears to the drive sprockets, which are constructed like gears and mesh with the chain.

landing gear

The chassis is a torsion bar sprung 7-roller drive. It consists of five rollers, a guide wheel at the rear and the front drive wheel. Support rollers are not necessary because of the taut and relatively light chain. In order to avoid damage to the roadway, the individual chain links carry chain pads . Ten of them per chain can be exchanged for metal snow grippers if the weather permits. When driving off-road, the driver must ensure that the chain tension is kept constant. When crossing pointed peaks, the driver has to take the gas off, otherwise individual torsion bars can overload and break. Even with a fancy torsion bar, the M548 is still roadworthy.

Model variants of the Swiss Army

Rear M548

• Raupentransportwagen 68 (Rpe Trspw 68) M548 ammunition transporter
• Tracked Transport Car 88 . The model 88 (M + 75829 to M + 75882) was procured from 1986 to 1988 in a total of 54 pieces. Compared to the previous model, the model features 68 camouflage paintwork, improved diesel heating and an improved chassis.

The M548 were mainly used as ammunition transporters in the self- propelled howitzer batteries equipped with the M109 self -propelled howitzer. However, also employed at the tank and weapon mechanics recruit schools 282 and at the anti-tank mine launcher company 16/5. The usual load consists of 10 pallets with 8 floors 155 mm including loads and detonators. The handling takes place with an electric pulley.

An M548 is in the Swiss Military Museum Full .

See also

• List of tank models after 1945

Web links

Commons : M548  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files