FMC Armored IFV USA

Ml 13 APC

When mentioning the Ml 13 series of APCs it is difficult to avoid superlatives, for the type has become the most widely-produced and utilised APC of the Western World, Since production by FMC (now United Defense) commenced in 1960 weU over 32,000 Ml 13 s and its derivatives have been received by the US Army alone and the overall production total in 1992 had reached nearly 75,000 of all types; production seems set to continue both in the USA and with several licence-producers elsewhere,

Yet despite the huge number of variants and sub-variants, the base Ml 13 APC remains a welded aluminium box-shaped hull set on an uncomplicated tracked chassis.

Over the years the size and weight of the vehicle has grown and numerous components have been altered to accommodate that growth but the basic outline has remained the same - the latest production model is the Ml 13A3 with a longer hull, more armour, a more powerful engine, and a revised layout of items such as the fuel cells which are moved to the hull rear, either side of the main entry ramp.

On nearly all models the main armament has been a single 12.7 mm MG on a pintle over the commander's cupola; sometimes this station is set behind a shield or small open turret but variations abound, as indeed they do for the entire Ml 13 series.

Derivatives are legion, ranging from command posts (M577) to anti-tank vehicles armed with TOW ATGW turrets (M901), There are also mortar carriers (M125 for 81 mm, M1064 for 120 mm), smoke screen producing vehicles (Ml059), numerous air defence missile and gun carriers, combat engineer vehicles, ambulances, recovery and repair vehicles, etc.

Many user nations have added their own variations and modifications, as have licence producers such as Belgium and Italy The list could continue but would fill this book.

Ml 13s and variants are used by at least 48 countries.

Specification

(M113A3) Crew: 2 Seating: 11

Weight: (combat) 12,150 kg

Length: 5.3 m

Width: 2.686m Height: (hull top) 1.85m

Ground clearance: 0.43 m

Track: 2.159m Max speed: (road) 66 km/h Fuel capacity: 360 litres Range: 480 km Fording: amphibious

Vertical obstacle: 0.61 m

Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V-53T V-6 diesel Power output: 275 hp Suspension: torsion bar Armament: 1 x 12.7 mm MG Variants: Many - see text

An Australian Army Ml 13 APC, one of the many users of the most ubiquitous APC in the West.