M113

This article describes the armored transport vehicle. For similar names see M 113 .

M113
M113A1
General properties
crew	2 (commander, driver) + 11 infantrymen (standard version)
length	4.863 m
width	2,686 m
height	2.5 m
Dimensions	12.3 t
Armor and armament
Armor	Aluminum 12-38 mm
Main armament	varies depending on the state / type
Secondary armament	varies depending on the state / type
agility
drive	varies by state
suspension	Torsion bar
Top speed	66 km / h
Power / weight	16.44 kW / t
Range	480 km

The M113 is a lightweight armored personnel carriers . The American development is used in dozens of different variants (apart from smaller modifications, the number of which is unmanageable) in more than fifty states. In addition to the original conception as an armored personnel carrier (MTW) he met depending on the variant most diverse functions as Feuerleitpanzer or mobile command post and weapon carriers including as armored personnel carriers , anti-aircraft tank , Raketenjagdpanzer or flamethrower tanks . In addition to military users, American SWAT units, fire departments and sheriffs have also procured the M113 as an emergency vehicle. It can be air-packaged with the C-130 Hercules and, in the basic version, can be parachuted and amphibious .

history

M113A2

The M113 is a further development of the companies Ford and Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Co. from the late 1950s, based on the M59 and M75 . The manufacturer is the Food Machinery Corporation (FMC), now United Defense . In addition, companies in Italy and Belgium manufacture the M113 under license.

The M113 was the first modern armored personnel carrier (nickname Battle Taxi ) and in the standard version has a 12.7 mm machine gun as the main weapon and a 7.62 mm MG as a secondary weapon.

Since its market launch in 1960, over 80,000 vehicles of the M113 family have been built. Today, M113s are still being produced, even if the old models have been upgraded to a new technical standard.

The M113 has proven itself in many locations during the Vietnam War because of its amphibious capabilities. The Viet Cong called the flamethrower variant the green dragon .

technology

drive

Engine in a German M113. At the front, in the middle, is the double equalizing steering gear. Above in the middle are the magnetic relays (designation 1 and 2) of the oil pumps. The container with the designation O-1178 belongs to the power steering. The vehicle is equipped with a steering system and belongs to measure NDV1 .

View of the left universal joint shaft of a German M113 with NDV1. It leads from the angle drive to the drive ring gear. You can also see the electrical connections of the motor and part of the steering linkage.

Right side of the same M113. It shows the new brake disc and the form-fitting curved tooth coupling for torque transmission. Above it with the inscription H-544, the hydraulic tank of the brake system.

M577 command vehicle based on the M113

M901 missile tank destroyer based on the M113

Since the M113A1 model (1964), the vehicles have been powered by a two-stroke diesel engine via a three-stage automatic transmission. The original model, powered by a gasoline engine, is no longer in use. General Motors' water-cooled two-stroke V6 diesel engine (later spun off and renamed Detroit Diesel Corporation , DDC) delivers 156 kW (M113A1 and M113A2) and 202 kW (M113A3), respectively. The gas exchange of these two-stroke diesel engines is made possible by a Roots purge air blower and is not a supercharging, because the engine cannot work without this blower. The only slightly compressed air of a maximum of 0.6 bar flows through 18 inlet slots, which open shortly before the bottom dead center of the piston, from the air chamber in the middle of the cylinder banks into the cylinders and flushes the combustion gases through four exhaust valves into the exhaust manifold.

The engine also has a cold start device (consisting of an ignition coil, spark plug, air pump and solenoid shut-off valve). This enables a cold start in the range of +5 ° C to –32 ° C. With this device, air is mixed with diesel fuel and injected through a nozzle into the air chamber and ignited with the spark plug. The chamber heats up and the purging air is preheated during the subsequent start attempt. This means that the engine can also be started at low temperatures.

The motor is coupled to the transmission gear. This drives the automatic transmission, the generator, the oil pump for the ramp hydraulics, the oil pump for cooling the steering differential and the cooling air fan. In power transmission, the transmission gear is followed by the torque converter with automatic lock-up clutch.

The automatic transmission is connected to the torque converter. The manual transmission 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 light terrain, and finally, gear stage II – III is intended for driving in road traffic, as the transmission then only shifts between second and third gear in order to be able to move smoothly in traffic . Universal joint shafts transmit the 156 kW via angular drives, steering differentials and the side drives to the drive sprockets, which mesh with the crawler belt .

Since the M113 is made of an aluminum alloy (wall thickness max. 44 mm), the relatively low engine power is sufficient. The low weight of the M113 enables a high payload. In the standard version with the old chain (type 213B) and the old braking and steering system, it was buoyant.

landing gear

The chain drive has a front drive wheel, five torsion bar sprung rollers and a rear guide wheel on each side . In the event of overload, individual torsion bars can break, but the M113 remains roadworthy. In order to avoid damage to the roadway, the individual links of the crawler chain wear chain pads . Ten of them per chain can be exchanged for metal snow grippers if the weather permits.

Brakes

Steering brake

All vehicles up to version M113A3 have a steering brake . The driver pulls a brake lever and thereby slows down a chain. If he pulls both levers, the vehicle brakes. Especially on slopes and at high speeds, the brake bands made of mineral fibers tend to overheat and become glazed. If the driver releases the brake at short intervals (so-called "sawing"), oil can cool the belts. The power steering from model series M113A3 eliminates this restriction at the price of indirect and too soft control. The overheating problem is solved by two additional oil pumps that are controlled by a magnetic relay and spray the brake bands with oil. The driver also always has the option of controlling the braking force of the engine by changing the drive level ( engine dust brake ).

Reversing brake (or old emergency brake)

The M113A1 also had two individually hand-operated handbrake levers that are mounted under the driver's angle mirrors. These handbrake levers individually operate a disc brake that acts directly on the front gear rim drive on the left and right. On firm ground, this brake is intended to be "turned around a chain". On soft ground, actuating the reversing brake can cause the drive chain to run down. Unlike other tanks, the M113 cannot turn on the spot by turning the chains in opposite directions. These two brake levers should serve as an emergency brake in the event of the steering brake failure and had to be actuated with great sensitivity in order not to come off the road through uneven braking (see also lower pictures of driver's seat M113 A1 / A2)

Braking device in later versions

The versions newer than A3 also have an emergency brake. To the left of the accelerator pedal is a brake pedal which, when pressed firmly, locks both tracks. For this purpose, a brake disc is installed after the steering differential gear. In this case, the vehicle is braked so hard that the rear and the three rear wheels are lifted into the air. The drive wheel extends to the ground, and the first impeller is compressed so much that it is in line with the second impeller and drive wheel.

cooling

An unusual combination of thermosiphon cooling and forced circulation cooling is used to cool the motor . Radiator, fan and water pump form the first circuit with forced circulation. When the engine is cold, the engine circuit is a short-circuit circuit without circulation. Only when the operating temperature is reached does the thermostat open and the two circuits mix by convection. The new fan concept of the M113A2 model series eliminated overheating problems that had previously existed.

Driving behavior

The M113 can no longer drive with only one damaged wheel, even if the chain is still intact. If a wheel breaks or a chain breaks or comes off, the M113 shows very problematic driving behavior. The driver must immediately shift into neutral and let the vehicle coast down in a long curve. Every attempt to steer or brake will almost inevitably lead to the vehicle rolling over. In the event of a rollover, the M113 has a tendency to catch fire , so it is very important that the driver immediately turns off the engine and flips the main switch.

Model family

American M113 armored transport vehicle on the Autobahn near Frankfurt am Main as part of the REFORGER '85 maneuver (January 1985)

Listed here are models that are or have been used by the United States Armed Forces . The models used by the German Bundeswehr are described below.

M113

The original version of the M113 was a minor revolution in the armored personnel carrier field. It was able to carry eleven infantrymen under the protection of armor through a combat zone, was fast, light, buoyant and could be transported by plane. The vehicle was so successful that model variants were derived from the first version.

Model variants

• M132 flamethrower
• M577 command vehicle
• M106 mortar carrier with a 107mm M30 mortar
• M113 Green Archer radar device for the reconnaissance of mortars and steep-fire howitzers
• M113 ABRA M113 with a radar device for battlefield surveillance

Data

• Year: 1960
• Weight: empty 9212 kg, ready for action 10,668 kg
• Top speed: 60 km / h
• Range: 322 km
• Fuel: gasoline
• Power: 156 kW (209 PS)
• kW per ton : 14.6
• Armor:
  • front 3.8 cm at 45 °
  • laterally 3.8–4.5 cm at 90 °
  • cold-rolled aluminum-magnesium alloy (5083 and 5086 / H32)
• Acceleration from 0 to 32 km / h: 12.0 seconds
• Turning circle: 7 m
• Trench crossing: 1.68 m
• maximum gradient: 60%
• maximum side slope: 30%
• Braking distance: 12.2 m
• Ground pressure of the chain: 5.17 t / m²

M113A1

The A1 improvement of the M113 was essentially limited to the conversion to diesel; the M113A1 received a two-stroke diesel type 6V53 from the American manufacturer Detroit Diesel with a Roots blower and a new gearbox. The already existing M113 and its variants have been converted to the A1 standard. Further variants were added, which expanded the possible uses of the M113A1.

Model variants

M901 Panzerjäger Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV) (1985)

• M548 supply transport tank
• M163 “Vulcan” flak tank with a 20 mm Gatling cannon
• M58 variant with a Wolf smoke generator that forms a smoke curtain for 90 minutes, of which this also protects against IR vision devices for 30 minutes
• M106 107mm mortar carrier with an M30 mortar
• M125 81 mm mortar carrier; like M106, but with M29 mortar
• M132 Armored Flamethrower ; small turret with an M10-8 flamethrower and a coaxial M73 MG
• M474 transport unit for the Pershing 1 (tactical nuclear weapon)
• M730 “Chaparral” FlaRak starter with four Sidewinder guided missiles
• M577 command and radio tank with raised box body and extension tent
• M579 "Fitter", crane armor with a light swing arm crane
• M667 transport vehicle for the short-range ballistic missile with nuclear warhead MGM-52 "Lance"
• M668 replenishment vehicle based on the M548 for the M667
• M727 Transport and launch vehicle for MIM-23 “Hawk” anti-aircraft missiles
• M752 launch vehicle for the MGM-52 "Lance"
• M901 Panzerjäger Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV) with an M220A1 twin launcher frame with 2 × BGM-71-TOW-PAL
• M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FISTV), advanced artillery observation vehicle with a turret similar to the M901
• M1059 "Lynx Smoke Generator Carrier" (SGC); Smoke generator attachment
• M1064 120mm mortar carrier with an M121 mortar
• M1068 Improved variant of the M577

Data

• Year: 1964
• Weight: empty 9740 kg, ready for combat 11,215 kg or with combat load 11,340 kg
• Top speed: 60 km / h on the road and 3.6 km / h in the water (buoyancy only with an old 213B chain and with an old steering and braking system and a folded out wooden surge board that provided additional buoyancy.)
• Range: 483 km
• Engine: six-cylinder V-engine ( two - stroke diesel engine )
• Consumption: 70 l / 100 km on the road, up to 140 l / 100 km off-road
• Power: 156 kW (212 PS)
• Power / weight : 12.65 kW / t
• Acceleration from 0 to 32 km / h: 10.5 seconds
• Turning circle: 4.27 m
• Ground clearance : 0.41 m
• Trench crossing: 1.40 m
• Climbing ability: forward: 0.61 m; backwards: 0.35 m
• maximum gradient: 60%
• maximum side slope: 30%
• Maximum fording depth : 1.20 m at a maximum flow speed of 2 m / s
• Braking distance: 13.9 m
• Ground pressure of the chain: 5.38 t / m²
• MLC class (military load class): 13 (depending on the variation also 12)

M113A2

In 1979 the M113A2 was introduced. It differs from the A1 in that it has improved engine cooling and an improved chassis. Variants were also derived from this model and older models were retrofitted.

Model variants

• M901 TOW steering missile carrier (ITV = Improved TOW Vehicle)
• M981 FISTV = Fire Support Team Vehicle
• M1015 IEW

Data

• Year: 1979
• Weight: empty 9800 kg, ready for action 10,140 kg
• Top speed: 60 km / h
• Range: 480 km
• Fuel: diesel
• Power: 156 kW (212 PS)
• kW per ton: 15.4
• Acceleration from 0 to 32 km / h: 11.0 seconds
• Turning circle: 4.27 m
• Trench crossing: 1.68 m
• maximum gradient: 60%
• maximum side slope: 30%
• Braking distance: 1.92 m
• Chain ground pressure : 0.55 kg / cm²

M113A3

During the Second Gulf War it turned out that the M113A2 had great problems keeping up with the combat groups' M1 Abrams tanks. In comparison, they were underpowered and could not keep the speed of the M1. Therefore, among other modifications, the use of a more powerful engine became necessary.

All existing vehicles of the M113 family will be  upgraded to the M113A3 RISE standard ( Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment ). This includes further improved propulsion, improved vehicle controls, improved brakes, reinforced passenger compartment, external fuel tanks and batteries with increased capacity. The external tanks free up 0.45 m³ of space in the interior and reduce the fire risk for the crew. Brackets for additional modular armor were also attached.

Model variants

• M1069 fog thrower
• M1064 120mm mortar carrier
• M1068 command vehicle (SICPS = Standard Integrated Command Post System)
• OSV "Opposing Forces Surrogate Vehicle": Modeled Russian BMP-2 for training purposes
• M58 Wolf fog thrower

Data

• Year: 1987
• Length: 4864 mm
• Width: 2686 mm
• Height: 2197 mm
• Ground clearance: 406 mm
• Weight
  • ready for action: 12,329 kg
  • maximum: 14,061 kg
  • empty: 10,832 kg
  • ready for air transport: 10,037 kg
• Crew: 2 plus 11 infantrymen
• Fuel tanks: 360 liters
• Ground pressure: 0.60 kg / cm²
• Top speed: 66 km / h
• Swimming speed: 5.8 km / h
• Range: 483 km
• Turning circle: on the spot to infinity
• Slope max. 60%
• Side slope max. 40%
• Trench crossing 168 cm
• Engine:
  • Model: Detroit Diesel 6V53T
  • Displacement : 5.2 liters
  • Fuel: Diesel (DF2)
  • Power: 202 kW (275 PS)
  • 14.86 kW per ton
• Transmission , automatic: Allison X200-4B hydrokinetic
• Steering: hydrostatic power steering
• Brake : multi-disc wet brake
• Landing gear:
  • Suspension: coil springs
  • Wheels: 5 per side with a 61 cm diameter
  • Chain: hinged chain, removable rubber pads
  • Chain segments: 63 left, 64 right
  • Chain segment length: 15.2 cm
  • Width chain: 38 cm
  • Shock absorbers : 3 per side
  • Suspension travel : 22.9 cm
• Alternator : 200 amps (300 amps optional), 24 volts
• Batteries: 4 type 6TL, 120 ampere hours, 12 volts per battery
• Ammunition cal. 50 MG: 2000 rounds
• Armor:
  • Cover: 5083 aluminum
  • Additional armor that can be attached to the outside: steel , reactive armor
  • Mine protection: steel
  • MG shield: steel
  • Splinter protection: composite
• Fire extinguisher: carbon dioxide, 2.3 kg fixed in the engine compartment, 2.3 kg portable in the cabin

New developments

M113s upgraded to the A3 standard are in use in many countries, including Turkey , Israel , Brazil and Taiwan . Among other things, there is a large number of additional armor of various types that can be attached depending on needs and requirement profile in order to increase the basic protection against fire with a caliber of 7.62 mm. The Israeli company Rafael also has reactive armor for the M113 in its range.

MTVL

The MTVL (Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light)  - also called M113A4 - is based on the M113A3. It's 86 centimeters longer and has an extra wheel on each side (six instead of five). The vehicle was developed by the United Defense company. It offers 50% more usable interior space than its predecessor and, thanks to its longer chain line and more powerful engine (400 hp), it is more off-road and faster - and thus able to keep up with many battle tanks when it comes to off-road driving.

ESV

The ESV (Engineering Squad Vehicle) is supposed to transport an eight-person pioneer group along with equipment cheaply and safely across the battlefield. For this purpose, the armor was increased to the strength of the M2 Bradley (M2A2). The volume under armor was increased by 30%, as was the payload, and the off-road capability was increased by 50% to the level of the M1 Abrams or M2 Bradley.

The vehicle can be configured for both defensive and offensive missions using various accessories, such as the Vulcano mine thrower or a mine clearing device. It is planned to procure 332 of these vehicles.

HAZMAT

HAZMAT stands for Hazardous Materials Recovery Vehicle ('vehicle for the recovery of dangerous goods '). Since surplus M113 are available, civil uses or use by other government agencies are being considered. One approach developed by United Defense with the NASA / AMES research center is to equip an extended M577A3 hull with a lightweight bulldozer shovel and a hydraulic manipulator arm. This vehicle, equipped with radiation shields and an environmentally independent life support system due to overpressure, is intended to be used for the recovery of toxic, radiating or biohazardous substances. The vehicle is painted a bright, chemical-resistant paint and offers the full off-road capabilities of the M113. The vehicle will be air transportable with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules so that it can be quickly brought to accident sites.

IFVL

The Infantry Fighting Vehicle Light ('light armored personnel carrier') is based on the MTVL chassis and is equipped with a hydraulically stabilized 25 mm automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted in a turret . Compared to the normal M113A3, the vehicle has a more powerful 6V53TIA diesel engine with an electronically controlled injection system and 400 hp. The gearbox is the normal X200-4B. The vehicle is equipped with brackets for exchangeable or expandable armor in order to adapt the armor to the threat situation and to be able to apply improvements in the field of armor protection more easily. The IFVL can be transported in a C130 without any modifications and enables ten infantrymen to be transported with a crew of two or three soldiers.

Due to a high level of parts conformity with the M113 or MTVL, the IVFL is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and simplifies replenishment logistics.

The M113 in use by the German Armed Forces

Mortar carrier M113 A1 (EFT) GE in firing position

Driver's seat of an M113 A1 / A2 with steering brake lever and old reversing brake in front of the NDV 2

Driver's seat of an M113 with NDV 2

The Bundeswehr procured around 4,000 vehicles up to 1985 and used them in the army with different kits. The first 1132 M113 corresponded to the US model with a carburettor engine and were given the type designation for the troop transport vehicle (MTW) ​​M113. With the conversion to German requirements (German lettering on the vehicle, optics, radio system, armament, smoke  device , connector caterpillar ( Diehl - Type 213 B), lighting system according to StVZO, fire warning and extinguishing system with 5.5 kg halon extinguishing agent, heating and ventilation system from Webasto ) a G for Germany was added to the type designation. From 1965 onwards, all new MTW M113s were delivered with a diesel engine, the 3400 MTWs bought up to then were converted from 1974 onwards. The new Detroit diesel type 6V 53 with 6 cylinders, 5220 cm³, 154 kw (210 hp) made the vehicle 400 kg heavier. The type designation changed to M113 A1 G.

In the years 1969 to 1973 and 1977 to 1978 494 vehicles were converted to tank mortars . The divisions - and brigade staffs received from 1975 220 M577 A1 as mobile command posts. The basis for the type was the M113 A1. Further derivatives were the M688 transport and loading vehicle used in the 1970s and the M752 launch vehicle for the Lance ground-to-ground missile system . In the 1980s, the tank pioneers received the M548 A1 G Skorpion mine launcher , which is based on the chassis of the M113.

The MTW was also subjected to increases in combat value and performance. The main changes at the end of the 1980s were the suction air cooling system of the diesel engine and the addition of two external tanks (EFT) to the rear of the vehicle. Due to the increased total weight by a further 468 kg, the M113 was blocked for swimming. Instead of the now superfluous surge board, a storage basket was installed. These converted vehicles were named M113 A2 G or M113 A2 G (EFT).

At the end of the 1990s, the MTW M113 was taken out of service as a personnel carrier and replaced by the Marder armored personnel carrier and the Fuchs armored personnel carrier . The M752 and M668 were also retired with the Lance missile system. The remaining vehicles with additional equipment showed safety deficiencies in the chassis and braking area due to their combat value increases. The planned changes by the BMVg to a new drive, steering and braking system could not be carried out for financial reasons. As a result, the Flensburg company FFG developed two suggestions for extending the service life (NDV).

The vehicles command radio tank ( FüFuPz ), write radio tank VHF (SchrFuPz), air traffic control tank (FlgtLtPz), directional radio tank Multiplex (RiFuMuxPz), carrier vehicle Green Archer (TrgFz GREEN ARCHER) and observation tank artillery (NDPzArt) were soon or not reached because the service life was not reached was.

Of the 4,000 units at the time, the Bundeswehr still had 555 vehicles in 2008 that are actively used. In the medical service, the last M113 (KrKw) were decommissioned at the end of 2010.

Service life extension 1 and 2

The service life extension 1 (NDV 1) was applied to all M113 still in service with a total weight of less than 12.5 t. The main changes were a two-circuit brake system with a combined service and parking brake, a new driver's cab including control system and a new type 513 chain from Diehl. The first vehicles in lot 1 were converted from 1996 to 1999. The variants fire control armor artillery (FltPzArt), fire control armor mortar (FltPzMrs), ambulance (KrKw), radio transmission tank HF (SchrFuPz), mine launcher vehicle (MiWFz) and driving school tank (Schulpz) were included.

Lot 1 of NDV 2 followed in 2001 for 275 vehicles over 12.5 t total weight. The conversion took place for the tank mortar (PzMrs), command post tank (GefStdPz), carrier vehicle RATAC (TrgFz RATAC) and carrier vehicle computer network artillery (TrgFzRechnVbuArt). The changes included a new MTU 6V 183TC22 diesel engine with 220 kW (300 PS) including cooling system, a new steering gearbox from ZF that enables turning on the vertical axis, new chains from Diehl (type 513) and a redesigned driver's cab. Lot 2 followed in mid-2006 with a further 56 vehicles. A total of 331 M113 thus received the service life extension 2.

Model variants of the Bundeswehr

The status of the model variant is also indicated.

• Armored personnel carriers (Jäger, Panzergrenadier with anti-tank guided missile MILAN ) // retired
• Guided rocket launcher and transport system for the LANCE // system retired
• Anti- tank mortars in the Panzergrenadier Battalions // NDV 2 and retired
• Fire control armored mortar // NDV 1 and retired
• Command post tank // NDV 2
• Air traffic control tank // no NDV and retired
• Fire control armored artillery // NDV 1
• Observation tank artillery (optronics) // no NDV and retired
• Artillery observation radar ABRA or carrier vehicle RATAC // NDV 2
• Device carrier computer network (ADLER) Artillery // NDV 2
• HF // NDV 1
• VHF write radio tank // no NDV and retired
• Artillery reconnaissance radar Green Archer // no NDV and retired
• Command radio tank // no NDV and retired
• Directional radio tank Multiplex // no NDV and retired
• Ambulance // NDV 1 (replaced by GTK Boxer VwuTrsp)
• Driving school tank // NDV 1
• Scorpion mine throwing vehicle // NDV 1

Model variants of the Swiss Army

Spz 63

Spz 63/89

12 cm Pz Mw 64-91

Uem ​​Pz 63 with cable reels 83

• Armored personnel carrier 63 (Spz 63)

Base model based on the M113A1 and armed with a turntable for the M2-12.7mm machine gun. The designation 63 is in relation to the year of the armaments program (RP) in which the procurement of this system was decided. Other designations such as 63/73 refer to the year of modifications to the system. The Pz fleet was procured in four tranches, one of which is series 1 to 4.

• Mine launcher 64/91 (Mw Pz 64) with 12 cm anti-tank mine launcher 64 (120 mm mortar)
• Geniepanzer 63 (G Pz 63) with dozer blade (was removed at a later date) and a slewing ring for the M2-12.7 mm machine gun
• Kranpanzer 63 (Kran Pz 63) with unloading crane for repairs
• Fire control armored vehicle 63 (Flt Pz 63) as a departmental or battery fire control center for mechanized artillery
• Kommandopanzer 63 (Kdo Pz 63) Command execution
• Kommandopanzer 63/97 INTAFF (Kdo Pz 63/97) Command execution for art formations
• Fire control armored car 63/97 INTAFF (Flt Pz 63/97) Fire control center for art formations
• Raupentransportwagen 68 (Rpe Trspw 68) M548 ammunition transport
• Armored personnel carrier 63/73 (Spz 63/73) upgraded variant (1973) with two outer tanks at the rear 1973 instead of the inner tank, relocation of the commander's cupola to the left side and installation of the Hägglunds tank turret from the Pansarbandvagn 302 and an armored Wattshield. The turret was modified so that the 20 mm Hispano Suiza HS.404 automatic cannon could shoot with both 10-round magazines and 200-round belts. There was also a 60 mm lighting mortar for night combat and storage space for Dragon and Panzerfaust 3 anti -tank guided weapons. Thanks to these installations, there was still room for six tank grenadiers and the platoon leader and the crew in the armored personnel carrier.
• Command tank 63/73 (Kdo Pz 63/73)
• Armored personnel carrier 63/89 (Spz 63/89) upgraded variant (1989) based on the Spz 63/73 with additional armor. The stair-shaped perforated sheets of the additional armor widened the armored personnel carrier to over 3 meters and required the installation of a more powerful diesel unit (Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 195 kW (265 PS), Jacobs engine brake) and a modified steering-brake system; the higher combat weight required the modification of the crawler undercarriage with reinforced torsion bars and additional shock absorbers.
• Command tank 63/89 (Kdo Pz 63/89)
• Mirm Pz 63/00 Light mine clearing system based on the Spz 63/89, with clearing flight and electromagnetic field for clearing ballistically laid mines; Armored driver and commander hatch, automatic speed limit (AGB) and video system / IR camera for driver and commander.

With the development step 08/11 of the army different types were decommissioned. In addition, existing Spz types were modified due to the needs of the troops. The following types are currently in use:

• Kdo Pz 63/97
• Flt Pz 63/97
• Kdo Pz 63/07 Partial modification of the Flt Pz 63 type
• Spz 63/07 partial modification of the type Kdo Pz 63
• Sap Pz 63/05 modification of the G Pz 63
• Mirm Pz 63/00
• Rpe Trspw 68/05 Modification by a FLAT system

See also

• List of tank models after 1945

Web links

Commons : M113  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

• M113 Technical Library (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Bundeswehr Plan 2009
2. ↑ End of an Era - The last personnel carrier (MTW) ​​M113 KrKw left the Augustdorf , medical service of the Bundeswehr, 11 January 2011.
3. ↑ europaeische-sicherheit.de on: Roll-out M113 NDV 2 at the FFG ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive ). [June 2006]
4. ↑ Article about M113-G variants of the Bundeswehr.
5. ↑ [1] Lieutenant Colonel Hermann Meyer: Protected medical vehicles - Part 1 , Hardthöhenkurier