Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

M203 grenade launcher

2008-06-16T06:53:19Z

222.254.82.92: /* Users */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Launcher, Grenade, 40mm, M203
|image= [[Image:M203.jpg|300px|]]
|caption= (dismounted)
|origin={{flagcountry|United States}}
|type= Grenade Launcher

|is_ranged= yes
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
|is_UK=

|service=
|used_by= See ''Users''
|wars= [[Vietnam War]] and later

|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=US$601 <ref>[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m203.htm M203 40mm Grenade Launcher]</ref>
|production_date=
|number=
|variants= See text

|weight= 3 lb (1.36 kg) (unloaded)
|length= 15 in (380mm)
|part_length= 12 in (305mm)
|width=
|height=
|crew=

|cartridge= 40x46 mm grenade
|caliber= 40mm
|action= Single shot
|rate= 5 to 7 round/min
|velocity= 250 ft/s (76 m/s)
|range= 160 yd (150 m)
|max_range= 1,312 ft (400 m)
|feed=
|sights= Quadrant sight or ladder sight on rifle

|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=

|blade_type=
|hilt_type=
|sheath_type=
|head_type=
|haft_type=

|diameter=
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=

|armour=
|primary_armament=
|secondary_armament=
|engine=
|engine_power=
|pw_ratio=
|suspension=
|speed=
}}

'''M203''' is a single shot [[40 mm grenade|40 mm]] [[grenade launcher]] that attaches to the [[M16 rifle|M16]] [[assault rifle]] or the [[M4 carbine|M4 Carbine]] used by the [[military of the United States]]. Stand-alone variants exist as do versions capable of being used on many other rifles. The device attaches under the [[barrel (firearms)|barrel]] and forward of the [[magazine (firearm)|magazine]], the trigger being just forward of the rifle magazine. The rifle magazine functions as a hand grip when firing the M203. A separate sighting system is added to rifles fitted with the M203, as the rifle's standard sights are not matched to the launcher. The M203 can fire [[high-explosive]], smoke, illuminating, [[Shotgun shell#Buckshot|buckshot]] direct fire, High Explosive Dual Purpose, [[CS gas]], and training grenades.

==History==
The M203 was the only part of the army's [[SPIW|flechette rifle]] project to go into production. The M203 has been in service since [[1969]] <ref>[http://www.hk-usa.com/le_xm320_general.html H&K USA.com website]</ref> and was introduced to [[U.S. military]] forces during the early [[1970s]]. Replacing the older [[M79 grenade launcher]] and conceptually similar [[XM148 grenade launcher|Colt XM148]] design. However, while the M79 was a separate weapon entirely, the M203 was designed as a rifle attachment in order to increase the efficiency at which a soldier could alternate between [[bullet]] fire and HE grenade fire.

It is sometimes thought that the M203 was a poor replacement for the M79, as while the M79 was quick to [[reload]] and more or less accurate under adverse conditions, such as in the [[Vietnam War]], the M203 was more difficult and awkward to operate, and could be sent off-target more easily by variables such as a [[wind|gust]] of wind.

A new grenade launcher in development, the [[XM320]], will likely replace the 203 in United States service eventually. The XM320 is lighter than the M203, and has other benefits such as an unobstructed side-loading breech. <ref name="ARMYMAG_01">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/KHYL-6L7MAD|title=XM320 Grenade Launcher Module And XM26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System - Army Magazine}}</ref>

The 40 mm grenades used in the M203 (40 x 46 mm) are not the same as in the [[Mk 19 grenade launcher]] (40 x 53 mm), which are fired at a higher velocity.

==Components==
The M203 Grenade launcher system comes with a variety of components, usually including the launcher, [[adaptor]]s for attachment to assault rifles, and leaf sights (which can be used with the rifle's front sight post). M203s can also come with quadrant sights, mounting to a MIL-STD 1913 Rail, or to the carrying handle of an M16 rifle.

==Variants==
[[Image:Loading M203.JPEG|right|thumb|Loading an M203 attached on an [[M16 rifle|M16A1]] rifle. The grenade's blue tip and white body shell indicate it is a practice round.]]
[[Image:M203 171.jpg|right|thumb|[[United States Army]] soldier ejects a spent M203 cartridge.]]

There are numerous variants of the M203 manufactured in the U.S., and throughout the world, for various applications. These vary chiefly in the length of the barrel, attachment type, and quick detach (QD) capability.

The ''standard M203'' is intended for permanent (armorer level) attachment to the [[M16 rifle|M16A1]], [[M16 rifle|M16A2]] and [[M16 rifle|M16A3]] rifles, and utilizes a 12" rifled barrel. These can also be attached to [[M4 carbine|M4]] and [[M4 carbine#M4A1|M4A1]] carbines, using a different front attachment point forward of the front sight block, but the SOPMOD kit uses M203A1 grenade launchers.

The American '''M203A1''' is intended for use with the [[M4 carbine|M4]] and [[M4 carbine|M4A1]] Carbine. The barrel is shortened to 9", and principally the M203A1 QD is able to quickly detach from the rifle, and be replaced by a Knight's Armament Company M4 RAS lower handguard. An advantage of using a 40 mm grenade launcher on an assault rifle equipped with MIL-STD 1913 Rails is the attachment of various range-finding optics.

The Canadian '''M203A1''' by Diemaco (now Colt Canada) was a similar design with a different mounting system that did not require mounting points of the same profile as the M16A1 rifle's<ref name="M203">[http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-army-m203-grenade.htm Diemaco M203A1.] Retrieved on January 5, 2008.</ref>. The weapon's 9" barrel slides forward further than the standard American models to allow longer rounds to be loaded<ref name="M203">[http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-army-m203-grenade.htm Diemaco M203A1.] Retrieved on January 5, 2008.</ref>. This model is identifiable by the increased distance between the grenade launcher's barrel axis and the rifle's<ref name="M203">[http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-army-m203-grenade.htm Diemaco M203A1.] Retrieved on January 5, 2008.</ref>. This weapon may no longer be in production.

The '''M203A2''' is intended for use with the M16A4 MWS (Modular weapon system). Using standard 12" barrels, the grenade launcher is intended for use in concert with the Knight's Armament Company M5 RAS. Again, an advantage of this system is the attachment of range-finding optics makes precision targeting easier.

The '''M203 PI''' system is used for attachment of the M203 to other rifles, including but not limited to the [[Steyr AUG]], [[Heckler & Koch G3|H&K G3]] and other rifles, and even the [[Heckler & Koch MP5|MP5 submachine gun]]. Most of these other companies have since devised 40 mm grenade launchers custom integrated with the weapon.

The M203 and M203A1 are currently manufactured by Airtronic USA, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, [[Illinois]] for the U.S. Department of Defense under contract numbers W52H09-06-D-0200 and W52H09-06-D-0225. Each contract is for up to 12,000 units. Each unit is shipped with hand guard, leaf sight and quadrant range sight. The contracts unit prices vary from $840 to $1,050 each. The production rate is 1,500 units per month. The M203A1 was revised to use a standard 12 inch barrel due to accuracy requirements.
The M203 PI is manufactured for both U.S. Department of Defense and for commercial sales (to Law Enforcement agencies both in the [[USA]] and abroad, and for foreign military sales) by [http://www.rm-equipment.com RM-Equipment Inc.] of [[Miami]], [[Florida]].

==Users==
The M203 has proved vastly popular worldwide and inevitably has been fitted to a number of weapon systems other than the [[M16 rifle|M16 rifle/M4 carbine]] for which it was designed. These include:


*{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Austeyr F88 rifle|F88 Austeyr rifle]] in [[Australian Defence Force|Australian]] service.
*{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Steyr AUG]] in [[Austrian Defence Force|Austrian]] service

[[Image:M16a2m203 afmil.jpg|thumb|right|[[M16 rifle|M16A2]] with an M203]]

*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Colt Canada C7 rifle|C7]] In [[Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian]] service.
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[SIG SG 550]] and [[IMI Galil|Galil SAR]] in [[Military of Chile|Chilean]] service and special forces (Fuerzas Especiales).
*{{flagicon|Colombia}} [[IMI Galil]] in [[Colombia]]n service.
*{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[MISR (firearm)|Maadi]] which is an Egyptian variant of the Kalashnikov.
*{{flagicon|France}} [[FAMAS]] in [[French Army|French]] service.
*{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Steyr AUG]] in [[Irish Defense Forces|Irish]] service.
*{{flagicon|Israel}} [[IMI Galil|Galil SAR]], and [[IMI Tavor TAR-21|Tavor TAR-21]] in [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli]] service.

[[Image:M4andM203.jpg|thumb|right|[[M4A1]] with an M203]]

[[Image:Marines M203 Training.JPG|thumb|right|[[USMC|U.S. Marines]] practice with the M203.]]

*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[IMI Galil|Bernardelli VB/VB-SR]] in [[Italy|Italian]] service (limited to [[Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza]]); [[Beretta]] AR-70/90 rifles for standard Armed Forces use.
*{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Austeyr F88 rifle|F88 Austeyr rifle]] in [[New Zealand Army|New Zealander]] service.
*{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Heckler & Koch G3]] in [[Portuguese Armed Forces|Portuguese]] service.
*{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[SAR-21]] in [[Singapore Armed Forces|Singaporean]] service.
*{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Ak 4]]/[[Ak 5]] in [[Swedish Armed Forces|Swedish]] service.
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkish Armed Forces]] uses a model modified for use with the [[Heckler & Koch G3|G3]].
*{{VIE}}

==Civilian ownership==
In the United States, M203 grenade launcher attachments are classified as "Destructive Devices" under the [[National Firearms Act]] part 26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11<ref>[http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/nfa/nfa_handbook/chapter2.pdf ATF NFA Handbook, Chapter 2]</ref>, because they are a "non-sporting" firearm with a bore greater than one-half inch in diameter.  M203s are relatively common on the civilian NFA market. New M203s sell for approximately $1,750 to $2,000 USD plus $200 transfer tax, and new manufacture 40mm training ammunition is available for $8 to $10 USD per cartridge, as of March 2008. High explosive 40mm grenades, however, are exceedingly rare on the civilian market, and each grenade must be individually registered with the Federal government with a $200 tax. [[37 mm flare]]s are legal for civilian use without an NFA stamp, and 37 mm flare launchers have been built along near identical lines to the M203 launchers.

==Data==
[[Image:M203 Shooting.jpg|thumb|right|Range qualification with a M203.]]

*'''Launcher:''' 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
*'''Rifle (M16A2):''' 8.79 pounds (3.99 kg)
*'''Total weight (including 30 rounds):''' 11.79 pounds (5.35 kg)
*'''Bore diameter:''' 40 mm
*'''Maximum effective range:'''
**'''Area target:''' 1148 feet (350 meters)
**'''Point target:''' 492 feet (150 meters)
*'''Maximum range:''' 1312 feet (400 meters)
*'''Minimum safe range:'''
**'''Non-Direct Fire:''' 115 feet (35 meters)
**'''Training:''' 427 feet (130 meters)
**'''Combat:''' 102 feet (31 meters)
*'''Unit Replacement Cost:''' $601 ([[USD]]) (2005)

'''Note:''' some data differs for versions that attach to the [[M4 carbine|M4 Carbine]].

 

== See also ==
* [[Grenade]]
* [[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
* [[Rifle grenade]]
* [[KAC Masterkey]]
* [[AG36]] of the [[German Army]]
* [[XM26 Lightweight Shotgun System|XM26 LSS]]
* [[M16 rifle]]
* [[M4 carbine]]
* [[XM320]]
* [[MEI HELLHOUND]] round
* [[BG-15]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons|M203}}
*[http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/factfile.nsf/0/d50a120f00de543d8525627b006b1fec?OpenDocument U.S. Marine Fact File]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-22-31/index.html U.S. Army Field Manual 3-22.31]
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m433.htm M433 40mm Cartridge High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round specs]
*[http://www.martin-electronics.com/ Martin Electronics, Inc. Home Page] - 40 mm Ammunition
*[http://www.gun-world.net/usa/m16/m203/m203.htm Gun World] - M203

{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}

[[Category:Grenade launchers]]

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[[fr:M203]]
[[ko:M203 유탄발사기]]
[[id:M203]]
[[it:M203]]
[[he:מטול רימונים M-203]]
[[ms:Pelancar bom tangan M203]]
[[nl:M203 (granaatwerper)]]
[[ja:M203 グレネードランチャー]]
[[pl:Granatnik M203]]
[[ru:M-203]]
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[[sv:M203]]
[[zh:M203榴彈發射器]]

Uzi

2008-06-16T06:50:34Z

222.254.82.92: /* Users */

{{Redirect|Uzi}}
{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Uzi
|image=[[Image:Uzi 1.jpg|300px]]
|caption=The Uzi
|origin={{flag|Israel}}
|type=[[Submachine gun]]

|is_ranged=yes

|service=
|used_by=See ''[[Uzi submachine gun#Users|Users]]''
|wars=[[Six-Day War]], [[Yom Kippur War]], [[Sri Lankan Civil War]], [[Portuguese Colonial War]], [[South African Border War]], [[Rhodesian Bush War]], anti-guerrilla operations in Colombia and the Philippines

|designer=[[Uziel Gal]]
|design_date=1948
|manufacturer=[[Israel Military Industries]], [[FN Herstal]], [[Norinco]], [[Lyttleton Engineering Works]] (under Vector Arms), [[RH-ALAN]], Ka Pa Sa State Factories
|production_date=
|number=
|variants= See [[Uzi submachine gun#Variants|Variants]]

|weight={{kg to lb|3.5|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes}}
|length={{mm to in|650|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes}} stock extended, {{convert|470|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock collapsed
|part_length={{convert|260|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|crew=

|cartridge=[[9x19mm Parabellum]], [[.22 LR]], [[.45 ACP]], [[.41 Action Express|.41 AE]]
|caliber=
|action=[[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]]
|rate=600 rounds/min
|velocity=~{{convert|400|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=10 (.22 and .41 AE), 16 (.45 ACP) 20, 32, 40 and 50-round box [[magazine (firearm)|magazines]]
|sights=[[Iron sight]]s
}}

The '''Uzi''' ({{lang-he|'''עוזי'''}}) is a family of [[gun]]s that started with a compact, boxy, and lightweight [[submachine gun]]. Smaller and newer variants are considered [[machine pistol]]s. The first Uzi submachine gun was designed by [[Uziel Gal]] in the late 1940s. It was manufactured by [[Israel Military Industries]], [[FN Herstal]], and others.

==Design==
===Overview===
The Uzi uses an [[Open bolt|open-bolt]], [[blowback (arms)|blowback]]-operated design. It and the [[CZ Model 25|Czechoslovakian series 23 to 26]] were the first weapons to use a [[Telescoping bolt|"telescoping" ("overhung") bolt]] design, in which the bolt wraps around the breech end of the barrel (Hogg 1979:157-158). This allows the barrel to be moved far back into the [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] and the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, allowing for a heavier, slower-firing bolt in a shorter, better-balanced weapon.

It is made mostly of stamped sheet metal and has relatively few parts, making it easy to strip for maintenance and making it less expensive per unit to manufacture than an equivalent design machined from forgings. The magazine being housed within the pistol grip allows for intuitive and easy reloading in dark or difficult conditions, as the operator simply brings his hands together; but the high grip also makes the gun awkward to fire when prone.

It has a [[grip safety]], making it difficult to fire accidentally.

When the gun is decocked, the ejector port closes, preventing entry of dust and dirt. Though the Uzi's receiver is equipped with pressed reinforcing ridges to accept accumulated dirt and sand, the weapon may jam with heavy accumulations of sand in desert combat conditions when not cleaned regularly.

The Uzi is generally a highly effective weapon, and has been found especially useful for mechanized troops needing a compact weapon, and for infantry units clearing [[bunker]]s and other confined spaces.

===Drawbacks===
The Uzi has been criticized for its [[Open_bolt|open-bolt]] design. Firstly, it reduces the accuracy of the weapon, because as the trigger is pulled, the bolt slides forward and hits the breech, thus interfering with the aim acquired by the shooter. Even though this particular SMG was designed to break the primer prior to the impact, this didn't address the problem entirely. Instead, a lighter bolt could be used, reducing total weight of the weapon. In addition, because during automatic operation slide spends most of its time in the rearward position, receiver is more susceptible to contamination. In reality this gun was not meant to be accurate; instead it's meant for close quarters combat.

Nevertheless, recent models of Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi (full-size Uzis are no longer manufactured) are fitted with the closed-type bolts.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://books.google.ru/books?id=z7nW8LpDOBoC&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=Uzi+manufactures+closed-bolt&source=web&ots=fYtGhC3sTN&sig=ewv6r1Cmnw_fYYv9fMm3CbQV6xg&hl=ru |title= Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi specifications |publisher=Twenty-First Century's Small Arms, MBI Publishing |accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref>

===Cartridge and magazine options===
The most common variant fires the [[9x19mm Parabellum]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]], though some fire [[.22 LR]], [[.41 Action Express|.41 AE]], or [[.45 ACP]]. Caliber conversions exist in [[.40 S&W]] and [[10 mm auto]] [http://files.uzitalk.com/reference/pages/caliberconversions.htm].

Available magazines include 20-, 25-, 32-, 40-, and 50-round magazines ([[9x19mm Parabellum]]), 10-round magazines (.41 and .22 LR), and 16-round magazines (.45 ACP). All of the above are manufactured by IMI. Other high-capacity magazines exist (e.g. 50-round magazines and 100-round drums in 9 mm) which are manufactured by companies such as ''Vector Arms''.

The grip-mounted magazine gives the Uzi a highly distinctive, instantly-recognizable profile, and it is often seen in TV shows, movies, and video games. In such portrayals, it is often fired one-handed (especially the Mini- and Micro-Uzis) and in some cases as two guns, one in each hand.

==History==
The weapon was designed by Major (Captain at the time) [[Uziel Gal]] of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] following the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]]. The Uzi submachine gun was submitted to the Israeli army for evaluation and won out over more conventional designs due to its simplicity and economy of manufacture. Gal did not want the weapon to be named after him, but his request was ignored.

The initial model was accepted in 1951 and was first used in battle in 1956 and gained huge success. It was soon developed into a number of better engineered variants.

The Uzi submachine gun was used as a personal defense weapon by rear-echelon troops, officers, artillery troops and tankers, as well as a frontline weapon by elite light infantry assault forces. The Uzi's compact size and firepower proved instrumental in clearing Syrian bunkers and Jordanian defensive positions during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]]. Advanced and smaller Uzi variations were used by the Israeli [[special forces]] until recently, when in December 2003, the Israeli military announced that it was completely phasing the Uzi out of use by its forces but would continue to manufacture the weapon for both domestic use and export.

Total sales of the weapon to date (end 2001) has netted IMI over $2 billion (US), with over 90 countries using the weapons either for their armed forces or in law enforcement.
* The [[German Bundeswehr]] used the Uzi since 1959 under the name MP2 (especially for tank crews) and is now changing to the [[Heckler & Koch MP7]].
* The Irish [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]] [[Emergency Response Unit (ERU)]] are replacing the Uzi with the HK MP7.
* In [[Rhodesia]] in the late 1970s the Uzi was produced under license, from Israeli-supplied, and later made in Rhodesia, components. It was commonly called the "Rhuzi" (although the title was also applied to some indigenous [[submachine gun]] designs).
* [[Sri Lanka]] ordered a few thousand Mini Uzi and Uzi Carbines in 1990s. Currently those are deployed with [[Sri Lanka Army]] special forces regiment and Sri Lanka Police [[Special Task Force]] as their primary weapon when providing security for [[Very Important Person|VIP]]s.
* The [[United States Secret Service]], the agency that guards the President of the United States, have used the Uzi to provide covering fire while agents evacuated the President out of an area. When President [[Ronald Reagan]] was shot on March 30, 1981 outside of the [[Washington Hilton]] Hotel by [[John Hinckley Jr.]], a Secret Service Special Agent pulled an Uzi out of a briefcase and covered the rear of the presidential limousine as it sped to safety with the wounded president inside.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

==Variants==
<gallery>
Image:Uzi-p1030098.jpg|An Uzi pistol
Image:Imi uzi b22.jpg|An Uzi submachine gun
Image:Uzi 2.jpg|A Mini-Uzi
</gallery>
There are several smaller variants of the Uzi SMG:

* '''Mini Uzi''', Basically a scaled-down version of the Uzi, first introduced in 1980. The Mini Uzi is 600 mm (23.62 inches) long or 360 mm (14.17 inches) long with the stock folded. Its barrel length is 197 mm (7.76 inches) and its muzzle velocity is 375 m/s (1230 f/s).
* '''Carbine''', with a longer 450mm (18 inch) barrel to meet minimum legal rifle overall length requirements for civilian sales in the United States when the stock is folded.
* '''Micro Uzi''', An even further scaled down version of the uzi, introduced in the 1990's. The Micro Uzi is 436 mm (19.13 inches) long or 240 mm (9.45 inches) long with the stock folded its barrel length is 134 mm (5.28 inches) and its muzzle velocity is 350 m/s (1148 f/s).
* '''Micro Uzi Para '''
* '''Micro Uzi Pro '''

==Users==
*{{flag|Bangladesh}} - Used by [[Rapid Action Battalion|RAB]].
*{{flag|Belgium}} - Made under license by [[Fabrique Nationale]]. Phased-out by the federal police. Still in use by the navy, but replacement planned.
*{{flag|Bulgaria}}
*{{flag|Chile}} - Used by [[Carabineros de Chile]] (Chilean Police Forces).
*{{flag|Croatia}}
*{{flag|Colombia}}
*{{flag|Cuba}}
*{{flag|China}} - Clones produced by [[Norinco]] as the '''Norinco 320'''.
*{{flag|El Salvador}} - Was used by military police during the [[El Salvador Civil War]].
*{{flag|Estonia}} - Uses the Mini Uzi variant.<ref>[http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=uzi Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Püstolkuulipilduja Mini UZI]</ref>
*{{flag|France}}
*{{flag|Germany}} - Being phased out by the [[Heckler & Koch MP7]].
*{{flag|Greece}} - Police, navy.
*{{flag|Guatemala}}
*{{flag|Haiti}}
*{{flag|India}}
*{{flag|Indonesia}} - Used by [[Kopassus]] and [[Tontaipur]].
*{{flag|Ireland}} - Used by the [[Garda Síochána]] [[ERU]] and [[Special Branch]]. To be replaced by the Heckler & Koch MP7.
*{{flag|Israel}} - Production ceased; still produces parts.
*{{flag|Mexico}}- Used by police against drug cartels and drug transporters.
*{{flag|Myanmar}} - Built under license by Ka Pa Sa factories as the '''BA-94'''.
*{{flag|Paraguay}}
*{{flag|Peru}} - Micro Uzi used by the army, air force, navy, and special forces.
*{{flag|Portugal}} - [[Portuguese Army]], formely used by [[Polícia de Segurança Pública]] during [[Portuguese Colonial War]]
*{{flag|Philippines}}
*{{flag|Rhodesia}}
*{{flag|Rwanda}}
*{{flag|South Africa}}
*{{flag|Sri Lanka}}
*{{flag|Sudan}}
*{{flag|Suriname}}
*{{flag|Taiwan}} - Used by ROCMC Special Service Company units.
*{{flag|Thailand}}
*{{flag|Turkey}} - Special forces, police.
*{{flag|Uganda}}
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*{{flag|United States}}
*{{flag|Uruguay}}
*{{flag|Venezuela}}
*{{flag|Vietnam}}

==References==
{{cite book
| last = Hogg
| first = Ian V.
| authorlink = Ian V. Hogg
| title = Guns and How They Work
| publisher = Everest House
|date=1979
| location = New York
| pages = pp. 157-158
| id = ISBN 0-89696-023-4 }}
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{Commons|Uzi}}
*[[List of submachine guns]]
*[[FMK-3 submachine gun]]
*[[Vigneron (submachine gun)]]
*[[Ruger MP9]]
*[[MAC-10]]

==External links==
* [http://www.israel-weapon.com/default.asp?catid=%7B961053C3-242F-42C0-90DA-7E3FE7754685%7D Israel Weapon Industries (I.W.I.): Mini Uzi & Micro Uzi]
* [http://www.uzi.com/ The Official Uzi Website]
* [http://www.uzitalk.com Uzi History, Parts, Discussion Forum]
* [http://www.bimbel.de/artikel/artikel-13.html Uzi in Parts] (in German)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aax35iZsBU Video of suppressed Uzi being fired]

[[Category:Submachine guns]]
[[Category:Personal weapons]]
[[Category:Uzigrip rifles and submachine guns]]
[[Category:Cold War weapons]]
[[Category:Modern weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Israel]]
[[Category:Telescoping bolt submachineguns]]
[[Category:Machine pistols]]

[[cs:Uzi]]
[[da:Uzi]]
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[[es:Uzi]]
[[fa:یوزی]]
[[fr:Uzi]]
[[ko:우지 기관단총]]
[[he:עוזי]]
[[it:Mitragliatore Uzi]]
[[nl:Uzi-pistoolmitrailleur]]
[[ja:ウージー]]
[[no:Uzi]]
[[nn:Uzi]]
[[pl:Pistolet maszynowy Uzi]]
[[pt:Uzi]]
[[ru:Узи (оружие)]]
[[sk:Uzi]]
[[fi:Uzi]]
[[sv:Uzi]]
[[tr:Uzi]]
[[simple:Uzi]]
[[zh:烏茲衝鋒槍]]

Uzi

2008-06-16T06:49:29Z

222.254.82.92: /* Users */

{{Redirect|Uzi}}
{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Uzi
|image=[[Image:Uzi 1.jpg|300px]]
|caption=The Uzi
|origin={{flag|Israel}}
|type=[[Submachine gun]]

|is_ranged=yes

|service=
|used_by=See ''[[Uzi submachine gun#Users|Users]]''
|wars=[[Six-Day War]], [[Yom Kippur War]], [[Sri Lankan Civil War]], [[Portuguese Colonial War]], [[South African Border War]], [[Rhodesian Bush War]], anti-guerrilla operations in Colombia and the Philippines

|designer=[[Uziel Gal]]
|design_date=1948
|manufacturer=[[Israel Military Industries]], [[FN Herstal]], [[Norinco]], [[Lyttleton Engineering Works]] (under Vector Arms), [[RH-ALAN]], Ka Pa Sa State Factories
|production_date=
|number=
|variants= See [[Uzi submachine gun#Variants|Variants]]

|weight={{kg to lb|3.5|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes}}
|length={{mm to in|650|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes}} stock extended, {{convert|470|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock collapsed
|part_length={{convert|260|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|crew=

|cartridge=[[9x19mm Parabellum]], [[.22 LR]], [[.45 ACP]], [[.41 Action Express|.41 AE]]
|caliber=
|action=[[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]]
|rate=600 rounds/min
|velocity=~{{convert|400|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=10 (.22 and .41 AE), 16 (.45 ACP) 20, 32, 40 and 50-round box [[magazine (firearm)|magazines]]
|sights=[[Iron sight]]s
}}

The '''Uzi''' ({{lang-he|'''עוזי'''}}) is a family of [[gun]]s that started with a compact, boxy, and lightweight [[submachine gun]]. Smaller and newer variants are considered [[machine pistol]]s. The first Uzi submachine gun was designed by [[Uziel Gal]] in the late 1940s. It was manufactured by [[Israel Military Industries]], [[FN Herstal]], and others.

==Design==
===Overview===
The Uzi uses an [[Open bolt|open-bolt]], [[blowback (arms)|blowback]]-operated design. It and the [[CZ Model 25|Czechoslovakian series 23 to 26]] were the first weapons to use a [[Telescoping bolt|"telescoping" ("overhung") bolt]] design, in which the bolt wraps around the breech end of the barrel (Hogg 1979:157-158). This allows the barrel to be moved far back into the [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] and the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, allowing for a heavier, slower-firing bolt in a shorter, better-balanced weapon.

It is made mostly of stamped sheet metal and has relatively few parts, making it easy to strip for maintenance and making it less expensive per unit to manufacture than an equivalent design machined from forgings. The magazine being housed within the pistol grip allows for intuitive and easy reloading in dark or difficult conditions, as the operator simply brings his hands together; but the high grip also makes the gun awkward to fire when prone.

It has a [[grip safety]], making it difficult to fire accidentally.

When the gun is decocked, the ejector port closes, preventing entry of dust and dirt. Though the Uzi's receiver is equipped with pressed reinforcing ridges to accept accumulated dirt and sand, the weapon may jam with heavy accumulations of sand in desert combat conditions when not cleaned regularly.

The Uzi is generally a highly effective weapon, and has been found especially useful for mechanized troops needing a compact weapon, and for infantry units clearing [[bunker]]s and other confined spaces.

===Drawbacks===
The Uzi has been criticized for its [[Open_bolt|open-bolt]] design. Firstly, it reduces the accuracy of the weapon, because as the trigger is pulled, the bolt slides forward and hits the breech, thus interfering with the aim acquired by the shooter. Even though this particular SMG was designed to break the primer prior to the impact, this didn't address the problem entirely. Instead, a lighter bolt could be used, reducing total weight of the weapon. In addition, because during automatic operation slide spends most of its time in the rearward position, receiver is more susceptible to contamination. In reality this gun was not meant to be accurate; instead it's meant for close quarters combat.

Nevertheless, recent models of Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi (full-size Uzis are no longer manufactured) are fitted with the closed-type bolts.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://books.google.ru/books?id=z7nW8LpDOBoC&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=Uzi+manufactures+closed-bolt&source=web&ots=fYtGhC3sTN&sig=ewv6r1Cmnw_fYYv9fMm3CbQV6xg&hl=ru |title= Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi specifications |publisher=Twenty-First Century's Small Arms, MBI Publishing |accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref>

===Cartridge and magazine options===
The most common variant fires the [[9x19mm Parabellum]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]], though some fire [[.22 LR]], [[.41 Action Express|.41 AE]], or [[.45 ACP]]. Caliber conversions exist in [[.40 S&W]] and [[10 mm auto]] [http://files.uzitalk.com/reference/pages/caliberconversions.htm].

Available magazines include 20-, 25-, 32-, 40-, and 50-round magazines ([[9x19mm Parabellum]]), 10-round magazines (.41 and .22 LR), and 16-round magazines (.45 ACP). All of the above are manufactured by IMI. Other high-capacity magazines exist (e.g. 50-round magazines and 100-round drums in 9 mm) which are manufactured by companies such as ''Vector Arms''.

The grip-mounted magazine gives the Uzi a highly distinctive, instantly-recognizable profile, and it is often seen in TV shows, movies, and video games. In such portrayals, it is often fired one-handed (especially the Mini- and Micro-Uzis) and in some cases as two guns, one in each hand.

==History==
The weapon was designed by Major (Captain at the time) [[Uziel Gal]] of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] following the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]]. The Uzi submachine gun was submitted to the Israeli army for evaluation and won out over more conventional designs due to its simplicity and economy of manufacture. Gal did not want the weapon to be named after him, but his request was ignored.

The initial model was accepted in 1951 and was first used in battle in 1956 and gained huge success. It was soon developed into a number of better engineered variants.

The Uzi submachine gun was used as a personal defense weapon by rear-echelon troops, officers, artillery troops and tankers, as well as a frontline weapon by elite light infantry assault forces. The Uzi's compact size and firepower proved instrumental in clearing Syrian bunkers and Jordanian defensive positions during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]]. Advanced and smaller Uzi variations were used by the Israeli [[special forces]] until recently, when in December 2003, the Israeli military announced that it was completely phasing the Uzi out of use by its forces but would continue to manufacture the weapon for both domestic use and export.

Total sales of the weapon to date (end 2001) has netted IMI over $2 billion (US), with over 90 countries using the weapons either for their armed forces or in law enforcement.
* The [[German Bundeswehr]] used the Uzi since 1959 under the name MP2 (especially for tank crews) and is now changing to the [[Heckler & Koch MP7]].
* The Irish [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]] [[Emergency Response Unit (ERU)]] are replacing the Uzi with the HK MP7.
* In [[Rhodesia]] in the late 1970s the Uzi was produced under license, from Israeli-supplied, and later made in Rhodesia, components. It was commonly called the "Rhuzi" (although the title was also applied to some indigenous [[submachine gun]] designs).
* [[Sri Lanka]] ordered a few thousand Mini Uzi and Uzi Carbines in 1990s. Currently those are deployed with [[Sri Lanka Army]] special forces regiment and Sri Lanka Police [[Special Task Force]] as their primary weapon when providing security for [[Very Important Person|VIP]]s.
* The [[United States Secret Service]], the agency that guards the President of the United States, have used the Uzi to provide covering fire while agents evacuated the President out of an area. When President [[Ronald Reagan]] was shot on March 30, 1981 outside of the [[Washington Hilton]] Hotel by [[John Hinckley Jr.]], a Secret Service Special Agent pulled an Uzi out of a briefcase and covered the rear of the presidential limousine as it sped to safety with the wounded president inside.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

==Variants==
<gallery>
Image:Uzi-p1030098.jpg|An Uzi pistol
Image:Imi uzi b22.jpg|An Uzi submachine gun
Image:Uzi 2.jpg|A Mini-Uzi
</gallery>
There are several smaller variants of the Uzi SMG:

* '''Mini Uzi''', Basically a scaled-down version of the Uzi, first introduced in 1980. The Mini Uzi is 600 mm (23.62 inches) long or 360 mm (14.17 inches) long with the stock folded. Its barrel length is 197 mm (7.76 inches) and its muzzle velocity is 375 m/s (1230 f/s).
* '''Carbine''', with a longer 450mm (18 inch) barrel to meet minimum legal rifle overall length requirements for civilian sales in the United States when the stock is folded.
* '''Micro Uzi''', An even further scaled down version of the uzi, introduced in the 1990's. The Micro Uzi is 436 mm (19.13 inches) long or 240 mm (9.45 inches) long with the stock folded its barrel length is 134 mm (5.28 inches) and its muzzle velocity is 350 m/s (1148 f/s).
* '''Micro Uzi Para '''
* '''Micro Uzi Pro '''

==Users==
*{{flag|Bangladesh}} - Used by [[Rapid Action Battalion|RAB]].
*{{flag|Belgium}} - Made under license by [[Fabrique Nationale]]. Phased-out by the federal police. Still in use by the navy, but replacement planned.
*{{flag|Bulgaria}}
*{{flag|Chile}} - Used by [[Carabineros de Chile]] (Chilean Police Forces).
*{{flag|Croatia}}
*{{flag|Colombia}}
*{{flag|Cuba}}
*{{flag|China}} - Clones produced by [[Norinco]] as the '''Norinco 320'''.
*{{flag|El Salvador}} - Was used by military police during the [[El Salvador Civil War]].
*{{flag|Estonia}} - Uses the Mini Uzi variant.<ref>[http://www.mil.ee/?menu=tehnika1&sisu=uzi Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Püstolkuulipilduja Mini UZI]</ref>
*{{flag|France}}
*{{flag|Germany}} - Being phased out by the [[Heckler & Koch MP7]].
*{{flag|Greece}} - Police, navy.
*{{flag|Guatemala}}
*{{flag|Haiti}}
*{{flag|India}}
*{{flag|Indonesia}} - Used by [[Kopassus]] and [[Tontaipur]].
*{{flag|Ireland}} - Used by the [[Garda Síochána]] [[ERU]] and [[Special Branch]]. To be replaced by the Heckler & Koch MP7.
*{{flag|Israel}} - Production ceased; still produces parts.
*{{flag|Mexico}}- Used by police against drug cartels and drug transporters.
*{{flag|Myanmar}} - Built under license by Ka Pa Sa factories as the '''BA-94'''.
*{{flag|Paraguay}}
*{{flag|Peru}} - Micro Uzi used by the army, air force, navy, and special forces.
*{{flag|Portugal}} - [[Portuguese Army]], formely used by [[Polícia de Segurança Pública]] during [[Portuguese Colonial War]]
*{{flag|Philippines}}
*{{flag|Rhodesia}}
*{{flag|Rwanda}}
*{{flag|South Africa}}
*{{flag|Sri Lanka}}
*{{flag|Sudan}}
*{{flag|Suriname}}
*{{flag|Taiwan}} - Used by ROCMC Special Service Company units.
*{{flag|Thailand}}
*{{flag|Turkey}} - Special forces, police.
*{{flag|Uganda}}
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*{{flag|United States}}
*{{flag|Uruguay}}
*{{flag|Venezuela}}
*{{flag|Vietnam}} - Used by police.

==References==
{{cite book
| last = Hogg
| first = Ian V.
| authorlink = Ian V. Hogg
| title = Guns and How They Work
| publisher = Everest House
|date=1979
| location = New York
| pages = pp. 157-158
| id = ISBN 0-89696-023-4 }}
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{Commons|Uzi}}
*[[List of submachine guns]]
*[[FMK-3 submachine gun]]
*[[Vigneron (submachine gun)]]
*[[Ruger MP9]]
*[[MAC-10]]

==External links==
* [http://www.israel-weapon.com/default.asp?catid=%7B961053C3-242F-42C0-90DA-7E3FE7754685%7D Israel Weapon Industries (I.W.I.): Mini Uzi & Micro Uzi]
* [http://www.uzi.com/ The Official Uzi Website]
* [http://www.uzitalk.com Uzi History, Parts, Discussion Forum]
* [http://www.bimbel.de/artikel/artikel-13.html Uzi in Parts] (in German)
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aax35iZsBU Video of suppressed Uzi being fired]

[[Category:Submachine guns]]
[[Category:Personal weapons]]
[[Category:Uzigrip rifles and submachine guns]]
[[Category:Cold War weapons]]
[[Category:Modern weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Israel]]
[[Category:Telescoping bolt submachineguns]]
[[Category:Machine pistols]]

[[cs:Uzi]]
[[da:Uzi]]
[[de:Uzi]]
[[es:Uzi]]
[[fa:یوزی]]
[[fr:Uzi]]
[[ko:우지 기관단총]]
[[he:עוזי]]
[[it:Mitragliatore Uzi]]
[[nl:Uzi-pistoolmitrailleur]]
[[ja:ウージー]]
[[no:Uzi]]
[[nn:Uzi]]
[[pl:Pistolet maszynowy Uzi]]
[[pt:Uzi]]
[[ru:Узи (оружие)]]
[[sk:Uzi]]
[[fi:Uzi]]
[[sv:Uzi]]
[[tr:Uzi]]
[[simple:Uzi]]
[[zh:烏茲衝鋒槍]]

M113 armored personnel carrier

2008-06-16T06:43:35Z

222.254.82.92: /* Operators */

{{redirect2|M113|M-113}}
{{Infobox Weapon
|name=M113A3
|image=[[Image:M113A3 side.gif|300px]]
|caption=
|origin={{USA}}
|type=[[Armored personnel carrier]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|service= 1960 -
|used_by= Numerous nations, see text
|wars= [[Vietnam War]], others
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number= ~80,000 (all variants)
|variants= Numerous, see text
|length=4.863 m
|width=2.686 m
|height=2.5 m
|weight=12.3 tonnes
|suspension=torsion bar, 5 road wheels
|speed= 66 km/h (41 mph)
|vehicle_range=~480 km (~300 miles)
|primary_armament=[[M2 Browning machine gun]]
|secondary_armament=varies (see text)
|armour=[[aluminium]] 12-38 mm
|engine=Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 6-cylinder [[diesel]] engine
|crew=2 + 11 passengers
|engine_power=275 hp (205 kW)
|transmission=
|fuel_capacity=
|clearance=
|pw_ratio=22.36 hp/tonne
}}

The '''M113 ''' is an [[armored personnel carrier]] family of vehicles in use with the US military and many other nations.

It is a fully tracked vehicle capable of limited amphibious operation in lakes and streams, extended cross-country travel over rough terrain, and high speed operation on improved roads. The M113 family has many variants and modifications that are used in a variety of combat and combat support roles. Approximately 80,000 units of all types have been produced worldwide making it one of the most widely used [[armored fighting vehicle]] of all time. <ref>[http://www.uniteddefense.com/prod/m113.htm BAE Systems]</ref> Although not a [[tank]], or even designed as a fighting vehicle, the M113 was the most utilized armored vehicle of the [[Vietnam War]]{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. It inspired newer generations of more heavily armored and armed [[infantry fighting vehicle]]s. Yet it remains in front-line service and production in the 21st century, and the M113 was recently declared the best in a television comparison of "top 10" armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.<ref>[http://military.discovery.com/convergence/topten/afv/slideshow/slideshow_10.html Top 10 Military Channel program]</ref>

==Origins==
The M113 was first introduced in 1960 and in 1962 was fielded in Vietnam, but without the added ACAV sets, which consisted of gun shields and belly armor. The M113 was developed from the [[M59 (armored personnel carrier)|M59]] and [[M75 Armored Personnel Carrier]] which were designed by [[FMC Corp.|Food Machinery Corp.]] and [[Kaiser Aluminium and Chemical Co.]] in the late 1950s. The M113 was originally developed and manufactured by FMC of [[San Jose, California]] to fulfill the requirement to be an "Airborne Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Family" (AAM-PVF) <ref>Simon Dunstan, The M113 Series, page 5, Osprey Publishing, London, 1983</ref> of all-purpose, all-terrain armored fighting vehicles.

Two vehicles were initially considered, the T113 and T117. The '''T113''', effectively the prototype of the M113, was chosen because it was marginally lighter than the T117. This was a product of the T113 being made of aluminum rather than steel. This difference on construction material was the major difference between the two vehicles. The T113 design was improved upon as the '''T113E1''', and adopted by the US Army in 1960 as the M113. A diesel prototype '''T113E2''' was put into production in 1964 as the M113A1. The M113A1 quickly supplanted the gasoline engined M113 in service.<ref>Tunbridge, 1978. p. 4</ref>

==Design and development==
[[Image:DA-ST-85-12848.jpg|right|thumb|US Army infantrymen, from the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|1st Infantry Division (Mechanized)]], armed with M16A1 rifles dismount from an M113 armored personnel carrier during a training exercise.]]
The M113 first entered service with the U.S. Army in 1960. It was developed to provide a highly mobile, survivable, and reliable tracked-vehicle platform that is able to keep pace with the current armored vehicles and tanks of the day. It requires only two crewmen, a driver and a commander, and carries eleven passengers inside the vehicle. Its main armament is a single .50 cal (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun]] operated by the commander.

The M113 was designed to transport troops, protected against small arms fire and shell fragments, to the front line where they would disembark. During early engagements in the Vietnam War, when [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] (ARVN) troops were pinned down by fire, they found that they could not simply return fire from within and overwhelm opposing forces. The exposed .50 caliber machinegunner's position made the gunner vulnerable to enemy small arms fire, even if the opposing force lacked the firepower to stop their lightly armored M113s. They soon fitted makeshift shields for the vulnerable machine gun.

The predecessor to the standardized Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (or ACAV) variant was introduced by the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] during the early 1960s. During the M113's initial fielding in Vietnam in 1962, it was found that the commander and cargo hatch positions were extremely exposed and the vehicle's armament was in many ways lacking. The ARVNs had modified the M113s to function as "[[Amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[Light tank#Light tank|light tanks]]"<ref>Zumbro, 1998. p. 470</ref> and not as battle taxis as US designers had intended. Instead of an armored personnel carrier, the ARVN utilized the carried infantry as extra "dismountable soldiers" in an "an over-sized tank crew."<ref>Zumbro, 1998. p. 470 </ref> These "ACAV" sets were eventually adapted to US Army M113s, with the arrival of the US Army's conventional forces in 1965. The vehicles continued to operate in the role of a light tank and reconnaissance vehicle, and did not operate as designed in theatre. Still, the M113 could carry 11 infantrymen inside, with two crewmen operating the M113.

The US Army, after berating the Vietnamese for flouting battle doctrine, came out with their own ACAV version. This more or less standardized ACAV kit included shields and a circular turret for the .50 caliber [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 machine gun]] in the [[Track Commander]] [[(TC)]] position, and 2 additional M60 machine guns with shields for the left and right rear positions, and "belly armor", which consisted of a sheet of steel, bolted from the front bottom extending 1/2 to 2/3 way towards the bottom rear of the M113. The two rear machine gunners could fire their weapons while standing inside the open cargo hatch, which was rectangular in shape. This transformed the M113 into a fighting vehicle, but the vehicle in such a role still suffered from its lightly armored configuration, having never been designed for such a role. A number of prototypes with factory-installed firing ports on each side of the APC were constructed, and at least one of these '''XM734''' was deployed to Vietnam for testing. Reports from the field were reportedly not enthusiastic.

Modified versions of the Vietnam War ACAV sets have been deployed to Iraq (Formally referred to as [[Southwest Asia]] within the US military) for installation on the current M113 series vehicles in use. An improved circular shield turret deployed to Iraq, and such vehicles have been utilized without the 2 rear stations. However, they reportedly are modified with armor to protect the Track Commander (TC) position and are NOT employing the two rear left and right machine gun stations.
[[Image:070319-A-5144A-002.jpg|right|thumb|US Army soldiers stage for a reconnaissance mission on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, March 19, 2007, next to an M113. The Soldiers are from C Company, [[509th Infantry Regiment|3-509th Infantry]], 4th Brigade Combat Team, [[25th Infantry Division (Light)]].]]
The M113 is built of aircraft quality aluminum which gives it some of the same strength as steel at a slightly reduced weight (the vehicle weighs approximately 10.5 tons), as the greater thickness allows structural stiffness. Its weight allows the use of a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, a Detroit 2-stroke six cylinder [[diesel engine|diesel]], as well as allowing the vehicle to carry a large payload cross-country and to be transported by fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. It can also swim without deploying any flotation curtains, powered by tracks, which was of tactical importance in battlefields like Vietnam which required crossing a multitude of terrain features; such as jungles, swamps, muddy dirt roads, forests, and rice fields.

The current M113A3 has a 480 km range and a maximum speed of 64 km/h. The upgraded M113A3 has added spall suppression liners, armored external fuel tanks, a more powerful engine and transmission, and mounting plates for the option of bolt-on titanium, aluminum, ceramic, or high-hardness steel appliqué armor. Band tracks and hybrid-electric drive features can make the M113 stealthy and travel faster than 60 mph on roads while doubling range from 300 to 600 miles on one load of fuel, but these features have not be added to operational vehicles.{{Verify source|date=May 2007}}
[[Image:M113 Interior.jpg|left|thumb|Interior of an M113 at the American Armored Foundation Museum in Danville, Virginia, July 2006.]]
Today’s M113 fleet includes a mix of these A2 variants together with other derivatives equipped with the most recent A3 RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package. The standard RISE package includes an upgraded propulsion system (turbocharged engine and new transmission), greatly improved driver controls (new power brakes and conventional steering controls), external fuel tanks, and 200 AMP alternator with 4 batteries. Additional A3 improvements include incorporation of spall liners and provisions for mounting external armor.

The future M113A3 fleet will include a number of vehicles that will have high speed digital networks and data transfer systems. The M113A3 digitization program includes applying appliqué hardware, software, and installation kits and hosting them in the M113 FOV.

==History==

[[Image:M113.jpg|right|thumb|[[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|ARVN]] M113 during the Vietnam War]]

===Vietnam===
The Vietnam War was the first combat opportunity for "Mechanized" Infantry, a technically new type of infantry with its roots in the Armored Infantry of [[World War II]], now using the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. In addition, Armored Cavalry Squadrons in Vietnam consisted largely of M113s after replacing the intended M114 in a variety of roles, and Armor battalions contained M113s within their headquarters companies, such as the maintenance section, medical section, vehicle recovery section, mortar section, and the scout (reconnaissance) section.

M113s were instrumental for escorting convoys through contested territory in Vietnam, and are commonly seen in combat photos, sometimes with [[Patton Tank|M48]] or [[M551 Sheridan|M551]] tanks for added firepower. Some M113s with improved/modified main gun shields similar to or directly modified from existing ACAV equipment have been deployed to Iraq for similar duties.

The USAF used M113 and M113A1 ACAV vehicles in USAF Security Police Squadrons providing air base ground defense support in Vietnam. M113s were also supplied to the South Vietnam ARVN forces. They were also supplied to the Cambodian government army, equipped with a turret for the machine gun and a recoilless rifle mounted on the roof.

Australia operated the M113 in Vietnam. After initial experience showed the crew commander was too vulnerable to fire the Australian army tried a number of different guns shields and turrets, eventually standardising on the Cadillac-Cage T-50 turret fitted with two .30 cal browning machine guns or a single .30/Single .50 combination. Other turrets were triedas were various gun shields, the main design of which was similar to the gun shield used on US M113 ACAV version.

In addition Australia operated an M113 variant fitted with a [[Alvis Saladin|Saladin]] armored car turret with a 76mm gun as a fire support vehicle or FSV for infantry fire support.

Subsequent to Vietnam all Australian M113 troop carrier version are fitted with the T50 turret. The FSV was eventually phased out and replaced with a modernized version known as the MRV (medium reconnaissance vehicle). The MRV featured a [[FV101 Scorpion|Scorpion]] turret with 76mm gun, improved fire control and passive night vision equipment.

=== Law Enforcement===
M113s have been adopted by some law enforement agencies. Photos show an M113 marked "Midland County Sherrif" was used in the 2008 raid of the [[Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] compound.

===Nicknames===
The M113 has never received an official name, but has received a variety of nicknames over the years. The [[National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam|NLF]] called it the "Green Dragon"; the Swiss referred to it as the "Elefantenrollschuh" or elephants' roller-skate; the Germans called it the "Schweinewürfel" or pig cube.<ref name = "glosec01">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m113.htm |title=M113 Armored Personnel Carrier |accessdate=2007-02-26 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |format= |work=GlobalSecurity.org |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=51094 |title= Nicknames of army vehicles in your country |accessdate=2007-02-26 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |format= |work=MilitaryPhotos |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> U.S. troops tended to refer to the M113 simply as a "track". Some sources have referred to the M113 as the "Gavin" in an allusion to Gen. Gavin, but U.S. forces have never used the name.<ref name = "glosec01"/> The [[Israel]]i official name for the M113 is "Bardelas" ([[Cheetah]]) but the troops call it "Zelda" (another nickname is "Zippo" after the brand of lighters, as the M113 tends to combust when hit by anti-tank weapons). The Australian Army refers to its M113A1s as "Buckets", and the modified M113A1 fitted with 76mm turrets as "Beasts". In the Norwegian army it is commonly referred to as the "Vietnam Dumpster". Spanish army called TOA (transporte oruga acorazado) as official name.

===Modifications for Iraq===
[[Image:USAF M113 APC at Camp Bucca, Iraq.jpg|right|thumb|[[USAF]] M113 at the Theater Internment Facility at [[Camp Bucca]], Iraq, 10 Feb 2008. The vehicle is assigned to the [[886 Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron|886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron]]'s quick response force and equipped with [[M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine|claymore mines]].]]

The M113 has relatively light armor, but is being augmented with [[Reactive armour|reactive armor]], add-on plates, and RPG standoff cages ("[[slat armor]]"). [[Transparent Armor Gun Shield|Windowed gunshields]] developed by an armorer in [[Iraq]] are reminiscent of ACAV vehicle modifications so effective in [[Southeast Asia]] ([[Vietnam War]]). Band tracks to replace the high maintenance, road damaging steel tracks are in use by Canadian and other forces.

Most of the M113s which are still in service have been upgraded. However, they are still lightly protected compared to modern APCs or [[IFV]]s such as the [[M2 Bradley]] or [[IDF Achzarit]]. Those larger vehicles cannot be transported in a [[C-130]] plane so it may be argued that their capability to be air-deployed provides an advantage over more heavily armored vehicles. A fervent pro-M113 community has developed due to the versatility of the platform.

The M113 has also been adopted to replace the aging fleet of visually modified ([[vismod]]) [[M551]]s being used to simulate Russian-made combat vehicles at the US Army's [[National Training Center]] in Fort Irwin, [[California]]. These M113s, like the M551s they replace, have also been modified to resemble enemy tanks and APCs, such as the [[T-80]] and [[BMP-2]]. One of the advantages of the M113 being used to simulate the latter is that the infantry squad can now ride inside the simulated BMP instead of in a truck accompanying a tank masquerading as one, as was often the case with the M551s.

===Weapons===
The basic M113 armored personnel carrier can itself be fitted with a number of weapon systems. The most common weapon fit is a single .50 caliber [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2]] machine gun. However, the mount can also be fitted with a 40mm [[Mk 19 grenade launcher|Mk 19]] automatic grenade launcher. A number of anti-tank weapons could be fitted to the standard variant. Mechanized Infantry and Cavalry units in Vietnam often removed jeep mounted [[M40 recoilless rifle|M40]] 106mm recoilless rifles fitting them to their M113s instead. The US Army also developed kits that allowed the [[M47 Dragon]] and [[BGM-71 TOW]] anti-tank missile systems to be mounted. In the case of the M47, the system mated to the existing machine gun mount, without having to remove the machine gun. This allowed the commander to use the weapon, as well as the machine gun.

==Basic variants==
;M113A1
*1964 diesel replaces [[gasoline]] engine

;M113A2
*1979, cooling and suspension improvements

;M113A3
*1987, further improvements for "enhanced (battlefield) survival"
Yoke for steering instead of laterals. More powerful engine. External fuel tanks.

;M113 Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV)
[[Image:Armored cavalry assault vehicle.jpg|right|thumb|M113 ACAV in Vietnam, 1966.]]
The ''"Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle"'' or ''"ACAV"'', was introduced in the Vietnam war after it was found that the commander and cargo hatch positions were extremely exposed and the vehicle's armament was in many ways lacking. Initially field expedient shields and mounts were used, then a kit was produced on Okinawa for the .50 cal. machine gun. Finally, the full ACAV kit, manufactured in the U.S., was introduced. The kit included shields and circular turret armor for the commander's Browning M-2 .50 caliber machine gun, and two additional 7.62mm M60 machine guns, again with shields, fitted on either side of the top cargo hatch. This kit could be retrofitted to any M113. ACAV kits were also sometimes fitted to the M106 mortar carrier, but the different rear hatch found on this vehicle required the left M60 machine gun to be fitted to the extreme rear instead of the side. Many kits were added in the field, but at least in the case of the [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]], the vehicles were modified in the U.S. before the unit left [[Ft. Meade]], [[Maryland]] for Vietnam. Additional armor in the form of a mine protective kit under the hull was also frequently fitted.

;Other

{{main|M113 Armored Personnel Carrier variants}}
A huge number of M113 Armored Personnel Carrier variants have been created, ranging from infantry carriers to nuclear missile carriers. The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier has become one of the most prolific armored vehicles of the second half of the 20th century, and continues to serve with armies around the world into the 21st century. Not without its faults, the otherwise versatile chassis of the M113 has been used to create almost every type of vehicle imaginable. Few vehicles ever created can claim the application to such a wide range of roles.

==Operators==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*{{AFG}} 63
* {{flag|Albania}}: 46 former Italian
* {{flag|Argentina}}: 450
* {{flag|Australia}} ([[Australian Army]]): 700
* {{flag|Bangladesh}} ([[Bangladesh Army]]}: on lease, For UN Peace Keeping Operations
* {{flag|Belgium}} ([[Belgian Army]]): 500
* {{flag|Benin}}: 16 former Belgian
* {{flag|Bolivia}}: ([[Bolivian Army]]): 50
* {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}: 80 <ref>[http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=42 DEFENCE BALANCE IN WESTERN BALKANS] Research Institute for European and American Studies</ref>
* {{flag|Brazil}}:[[Brazilian Army]]: 580; [[Brazilian Marine Corps]]: 29
* {{flag|Cambodia}} (Forces Armées Nationales Khmères (FANK), (Khmer Rouge), (Royal Cambodian Army): 210.."only 20 are know to be fully operational"
* {{flag|Canada}}: 1,200
* {{flag|Chile}} ([[Chilean Army]]): 427
* {{flag|Colombia}}: 120
* {{flag|Cyprus}} (One captured example "239943"): 8
*{{COD}} -
* {{flag|Denmark}}: 632
* {{flag|Egypt}}: 2,650
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}: 110
* {{flag|Germany}}: 4,000 (being phased out and replaced by the [[ATF Dingo]]<ref>[http://www.kmweg.de/pressenews_detail.php?id=41 kmweg.de: Neue DINGO-Variante für die Bundeswehr] (German) - Published 17 November 2005, Checked 23 May 2007</ref> and [[Boxer MRAV]]<ref>[http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLd4w39bQESUGYpvqRaGKGbn4IsSB9b31fj_zcVP0A_YLc0IhyR0dFALNCMzY!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfQV9HVTU!?yw_contentURL=/C1256EF4002AED30/W269HEWT902INFODE/content.jsp bundeswehr.de: Neue Waffensysteme] (German) - Checked 23 May 2007</ref>)
* {{flag|Greece}}: 1,670
* {{flag|Iraq}} ([[New Iraqi Army]]): 233
* {{flag|Iran}} (Imperial Iranian Army), (Islamic Iranian Army (IIA): 5,000{{Fact|2008-06-03|date=June 2008}}
* {{flag|Israel}} ([[Israeli Defence Forces]]): 5,500
* {{flag|Italy}} ([[Italian Army]]): +3,000
* {{flag|Jordan}}: 300
* {{flag|South Korea}} ([[Republic of Korea Army|South Korean Army]]): 540
* {{flag|Kuwait}}: 80
* {{flag|Lebanon}} ([[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]]) 1100+<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/moyen_orient/Liban/Liban_index_materiel.htm Index of military equipment Lebanese Army of Lebanon Index des équipements militaires armée libanaise du Liban]</ref>
{{col-break}}
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: 90
* {{flag|Morocco}}: 550
* {{flag|Macedonia}}: 30
* {{flag|Netherlands}} ([[Royal Netherlands Army]]), ([[Royal Marechaussee]]): replaced with [[YPR-765]]
* {{flag|New Zealand}} ([[New Zealand Army]]): 120 (Replaced with [[NZLAV lll]])
* {{flag|Norway}} ([[Norwegian Army]]): 900
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: 2,000
* {{flag|Peru}}: 245
* {{flag|Philippines}}: 100+
* {{flag|Poland}} ([[Polish Land Forces]]): 35<ref>[http://www.militarium.net/wojsko_polskie/uzbrojenie.php List of armaments of the Polish Army as of June 2005]</ref>
* {{flag|Portugal}} ([[Portuguese Army]]): 150
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} ([[Saudi Arabian Army]]), ([[Saudi National Guard]]): 1,750
* {{flag|Singapore}}: 1,200 (being replaced by [[Bionix AFV]]s)
* {{flag|Spain}}: 860 (being replaced by the [[ASCOD AFV|Pizarro IFV]])
* {{flag|Switzerland}}: 400
* {{flag|South Vietnam}} (Republic of Vietnam Army (ARVN)), (Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN))
* {{flag|Taiwan}} ([[Republic of China Army]]): 675 <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm Army Equipment - Taiwan]</ref>
* {{flag|Thailand}}: 385
* {{flag|Turkey}}: +3,000
* {{flag|United States}}: +10,000
**The M113 is also used by [[NASA]] for emergency evacuation of [[astronaut]]s during a launch pad emergency, as well as some police [[SWAT]] units, like the [[Phoenix, Arizona]] police department.
* {{flag|Uruguay}}: 15
* {{VIE}}: 750
* {{flag|Yemen}}: 670
{{col-end}}

==See also==
*[[FV432]] - a contemporary British vehicle
*[[Pbv 302]] - Swedish APC
*[[Boxer MRAV]] - Germany's replacement for the M113
*[[AIFV]] - FMC's "Product Improved M113A1"

==References==
{{reflist}}
* Dunstan, Simon. ''The M113 Series'' London, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1983. ISBN 0-85045-495-6.
* Nolan, Keith W. ''Into Laos: Dewey Canyon II/Lam Son 719.'' Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1986. ISBN 0-89141-247-6.
* Tunbridge, Stephen. ''M113 in Action''. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc, 1978. ISBN 0-89747-050-8.
* Zumbro, Ralph. ''The Iron Cavalry.'' 1998, New York, New York, Pocket Books. ISBN 0-671-01390-4

== External links ==
{{commons|M113}}
*[http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/m113/ Army Fact File for M113]
*[http://www.uniteddefense.com/www.m113.com/m113_vehicles.html United Defence]
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m113.htm FAS.org]
*[http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/M113.html Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide]
*[http://images.ksc.nasa.gov/photos/2000/captions/KSC-00PP-1135.html NASA Kennedy Space Center site]
*[http://www.tenix.com/Main.asp?ID=437&ListID=15 Tenix - LAND 106 M113 Upgrade Project]
*[http://www.exile.ru/2004-April-29/war_nerd.html M113 performance vs. RPG-7]
*[http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/armored_personnel_carriers/m-113/M-113.htm M113 at Israeli Weapons]
*[http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=58 Canadian Forces Official Website]
*[http://www.vhpamuseum.org/11thcav/11thcav.shtml M113 ACAV Operations with 11th ACR in Vietnam]
*[http://www.cavaleriemuseum.nl Dutch Cavalry Museum] has an M113 C&V (M113 ACAV) in its exposition.
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/lsp/M113_Upgrade.cfm Australian DoD M113 Upgrade Project]

[[Category:Tracked vehicles]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of the post-Cold War period]]
[[Category:Amphibious vehicles]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Republic of China]]

{{Link FA|sl}}
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Cadillac Gage Commando

2008-06-16T06:40:26Z

222.254.82.92: /* Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=LAV-100, LAV-150 Commando (Armoured Fighting Vehicle)
|image=[[Image:XM706E2 USAF.JPG|300px]]
|caption=[[Cadillac Gage]] XM706E2
|origin=[[United States of America]]
|type=Light Armoured Vehicle

|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_missile=
|is_UK=

|service=1963-Present
|used_by=
|wars=

|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=[[Cadillac Gage]]
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=See text

|weight=9,888 kg.
|length=5.69 m
|part_length=
|width=2.26 m
|height=2.54 m (turret roof), 1.98 m (hull top)
|diameter=
|crew=3+2

|cartridge=
|caliber=
|action=
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights=

|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=

|blade_type=
|hilt_type=
|sheath_type=
|head_type=
|haft_type=

|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=

|armour=classified
|primary_armament=1 x 20 mm, 1 x 7.62 mm Machinegun
|secondary_armament=2x6 40 mm Smoke Dischargers
|engine=V-504 V8 diesel turbo charged engine
|engine_power=202 bhp
|pw_ratio=18.75 bhp/ton
|suspension=
|vehicle_range=643 km
|speed=88 km/h (road), 5 km/h (water)
|guidance=
}}
The '''Cadillac Gage Commando''' is an [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[armored personnel carrier|APC]] built by [[Cadillac Gage]]. The 4x4 version is no longer produced, although Cadillac Gage states that production may resume if needed. The vehicle could be outfitted for many roles, including [[armored personnel carrier]], [[ambulance]], [[Fire apparatus]], anti-tank vehicle, mortar carrier, etc. The [[M1117 Armored Security Vehicle]] is a modern derivative still in production.

==Design and development==
The V-100 series of vehicles was developed in the early 1960s by the Terra-Space division of the Cadillac Gage company. By 1962 a patent was filed and received by Terra-Space for a vehicle then only known as the '''Commando'''.<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 4-5</ref> The first prototype emerged in 1963, and the production variants entered service in 1964.

The vehicle is equipped with [[four-wheel drive]] and uses axles similar to the ones used in the M34 series of trucks. The engine is a gasoline-powered 360 cubic inch [[Chrysler B engine|Chrysler V8]], same as in the early gas models of the M113 armored personnel carriers. Its 5-speed [[manual transmission]] allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain. The M706 has a road speed of 62 mph, and can travel across water at 3 mph. The armor consists of high hardness alloy steel called Cadaloy, which protects against projectiles up to [[7.62 x 51 mm NATO|7.62 x 51 mm]]. Partly because of its armor, the M706 has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons. As a result, a common problem with the vehicle is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight.
[[Image:Xm706m1.jpg|thumb|left|V-100 (XM706) Armored Car advertisement showing a turret featuring a minigun]]
The V-100 was available in turret and open-top models. Factory prototype turret options included the T-60, T-70, and T-90. The T-60 featured a combination of two .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns, or one of each, and had manual traverse. The specific .30 caliber machine gun options were extremely varied, with from factory configurations including the [[M1919 Browning machine gun#M1919A4.2FA4E1|M1919A4E1]], [[M1919 Browning machine gun#M37|M37]], [[M73 Machine gun|M73]], [[M73 Machine gun|M219]], and [[MG42]]. Later the [[M60 machine gun|M60]] and [[FN MAG]] were also added to the list of options.<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 10</ref> The Cadillac Gage company also intended to use the solenoid trigger equipped fixed machine gun version of the [[Stoner 63]] weapon system, but this was dropped after tests showed the smaller caliber cartridge to be unsuited to this role.<ref>''Mongo's Stoner 63A Page''. 2005. [http://home.comcast.net/~sfischer397/stoner/fixed.htm Stoner 63A Fixed MG]. Access Date: 14 February 2008</ref>

The T-90 featured a single 20mm cannon with power traverse. The T-70, developed for police use, featured 4 tear gas launchers, vision blocks all around the turret for 360 degree vision, and no other weapons. The T-70 and T-90 were not put into mass production with a modified T-60, with the guns mounted together in the center, instead of on the outer edges, becoming the standard. A variant of this turret featuring the 7.62mm General Electric [[Minigun]] was also developed.<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 9-10</ref>

In addition an open topped variant with a central parapet was developed. The intended usage of this variant was to be a mortar [[portee]], but a total of four machine gun mounts could also be fitted. A enclosed raised superstructure "pod" was also developed for converting the V-100 into either a command vehicle or for police use. The variants for police work featured special elongated firing ports for better angles of fire for tear gas grenade launchers.<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 10, 42</ref>

==Operational use==
[[Image:Without wheel.jpg|thumb|left|Image of retired [[Malaysian Army]] V-150 (without wheels and in elder [[Malaysian Army]] livery) in display at [[Malaysian Army Museum]], Port Dickson]]

The Commando was used in [[Vietnam war|Vietnam]] by the [[United States Army|US Army]], [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] and US-allied forces including the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|ARVN]]. It was introduced in Vietnam as the XM706 Commando first to the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] who loaned the first examples to the US Army in 1967. By the end of 1968, the US Army had purchased its own version of the armored car, the XM706E1, later standardized as the M706. Within the US Army it was affectionately known as ''the Duck'', or ''the V''.

The main differences between the XM706 and XM706E1/M706 were in the design of the gas tank fill port covers, side windows, front vision blocks, and most importantly in the weaponry. The XM706 featured two [[.30-06 Springfield|.30-06-caliber]] [[M1919 Browning machine gun#M37|M37]] machine guns, while the XM706E1/M706 for the US Army featured two [[7.62×51 NATO|7.62 mm NATO]] [[M73 Machine gun|M73 machine guns]] for better ammunition commonality with existing weapons. The ARVN, on the other hand, were still using a variety of weapons in the .30-06 caliber, and had relevant ammunition in their supply train.

In practice, the ARVN found the standard two-gun armament to be lacking and often mounted an additional [[M1919 Browning machine gun#M1919A4/A4E1|M1919A4]] machine gun on a standard tripod mount at the rear radio operator's hatch.<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 17</ref> A number of their V-100s were also refitted with the combination turret armament of one M37 and one [[.50 BMG]]-caliber [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB machine gun]].<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 15</ref> The V-100 in with the ARVN mainly saw service in armored car elements of armored cavalry units, but also as part of the mechanized platoons of the Regional Forces.<ref>United States, 1971. p. I-8</ref> Compared to the American counterparts [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|ARVN]] V-100 units had larger crews, including a commander riding shotgun, and a radio operator outside the rear hatch.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

Another model, the XM706E2, was supplied to the US Air Force for base protection purposes, post-attack reconnaissance against munitions and [[EOD]] use. The XM706E2 featured no turret and an open topped center parapet. In practice a variety of weapons were mounted on USAF XM706E2s, but the most common configuration was one [[.50 BMG]]-caliber [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB machine gun]] and one 7.62mm NATO [[M60 machine gun]]. Other equipment included the [[40mm grenade launcher|XM174 40 mm grenade launcher]] and searchlights.


The V-100 carries a maximum crew of 12. In road patrol, convoy duty and base defense use by the [[US Army]]'s [[United States Army Military Police Corps|Military Police Corps]], it usually had a crew of two: driver and gunner. Additional armament often included two or three top-mounted [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 machine gun]] or [[M60 machine gun]]s. Other weapons such as [[Minigun|M134 Miniguns]] were also sometimes used. Passengers could also use their personal weapons to fire through the vehicle's various gun ports.

On the modern battlefield, the V-100 is now largely obsolete, as up-armoured [[HMMWV]]s have been used as armoured cars. However, it remains in service with various smaller forces, such as [[Vietnam People's Army]], [[Royal Thai Army]], [[Republic of China Military Police]], the [[Philippine Army]], [[Philippine Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], and [[Philippine National Police|Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police]], the [[Army of Venezuela]] and the [[Jamaican Defence Force]]. It was used by [[Malaysian Army]] in [[Second Malayan Emergency]] (now retired) and [[Royal Malaysian Police]] ([[GOF]]- Pasukan Gerakan Am) until now. The vehicle is also used by many [[SWAT]] units in the US and [[gendarmerie]] forces overseas. The V-100 would be the starting point for the [[M1117 Armored Security Vehicle]] which is being used by the U.S. Army for convoy protection and other duties in Iraq.

For many years the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] (LAPD) had used V-100's and have had entire squads of them for SWAT ops. They pioneered the first SWAT teams and were the first to use the V-100 as a police vehicle. Typically a court issued warrant is required to use them however the LAPD has deployed them outside of that requirement. On a moments notice the LAPD Metropolitan Division can have a V-100 in the field for shooting scenarios as well as officer assistance calls. Instead of outfitting these "Tanks" with guns the LAPD would attach a 10-foot battering ram. In modern day some SWAT teams around the nation have had similar V-100's. LAPD has somewhat phased out the V-100. On the A&E TV show "Detroit SWAT" a V-100 with a battering ram is often seen being used by the Detroit SWAT team. Most SWAT ops now are more updated with better equipped APC and Armoured vans however when needed the V-100 continues to be a valuable tool for making a tactical entrance on a building, residence,etc.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

[[Image:V100.jpg|thumb|Another image of retired [[Malaysian Army]] V-150 (in newer livery) in display at [[Malaysian Army Museum]], Port Dickson]]
The V-150 was a hybrid variant which actually came after the V-200 and was based on the V-200 but had some V-100 features. It could be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines and most were produced for the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]]. Their version was called the V-150S.

==Subsequent variants==
Cadillac Gage's basic V-100 vehicle spawned an entire series of vehicles. This development was continued even after the production and further development of the system was passed to Marine and Land Division of the [[Textron]] company. The include updated 4x4 vehicles, but also expanded 6x6 vehicles utilizing a similar design and some basic components.

===V-150===
[[Image:Saudi V-150 Commando.jpg|thumb|A Saudi Arabian National Guard V-150 in 1991]]
The V-150 was a hybrid variant which actually came after the V-200 and was based on the V-200 but had some V-100 features. It could be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines and most were produced for the [[Saudi Arabian National Guard]]. Their version was called the V-150S.

In the 1980s Portugal developed a series of clones called the [[Bravia Chaimite|Chaimite]], which included a version with a 90mm turret ([[Bravia Chaimite|V-400 Chaimite]]), but the [[Portuguese Army]] chose to buy 15 examples of the US-made V-150 Commando.<ref>''Areamilitar''. [http://areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=98 Chaimite V-400 - BRAVIA]. Access Date: 12 January 2008</ref><ref>''Areamilitar''. [http://areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=99 LAV-150 - Textron Marine & Land/Portugal]. Access Date: 12 January 2008</ref>

===V-200===
The V-200 was a much enlarged version of the V-100 and utilized many components of the US Army's 5 ton trucks. Its major customer was Singapore. Singapore Technologies Kinetics upgraded the Singaporean fleet of V-200 vehicles in the 2002-2003 time frame. Upgrades included fully electric turret drive system by Moog and upgrades on both the engine and transmission systems. These Singapore V-200s were withdrawn from Army service and used as air-defence systems, equipped with Swedish RBS-70 missiles and FN MAG GPMG guns.

===V-300===
{{main|LAV-300}}
The V-300 is a 6x6 variant originally designed for a heavy weapons support role.

===LAV-600===
The V-600 is a much heavier version of the V-300 and was intended to fulfill heavier weapons support. The primary version is equipped with a 105 mm turret.

==Operators==
''Information from Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando, 1960-1971''<ref>Lathrop and McDonald, 2002. p. 13, 41-3</ref>
* {{BOL}}
* {{BOT}}
* {{CMR}}
* {{CAN}}
* {{GUA}}
* {{HAI}}
* {{IDN}}
* {{JAM}}
* {{LBN}}
* {{MYS}}
* {{MEX}}
* {{OMN}}
* {{PAN}}
* {{PHI}}
* {{POR}}
* {{SAU}}
* {{SIN}}
* {{SOM}}
* {{flag|South Vietnam}}
* {{SDN}}
* {{ROC}}{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
* {{THA}}
* {{TUR}}
* {{USA}}
* {{VEN}}
* {{VIE}}
* {{flag|West Germany}}

''Please note, this list is not complete.''

==Similar vehicles==
* [[M1117 Armored Security Vehicle]] - a Commando derived vehicle for the [[United States Army Military Police Corps]]
* [[Bravia Chaimite]] - a Portuguese vehicle similar to the Commando.
* [[Dragoon AFV]] - a Vehicle produced by [[General Dynamics|Arrowpointe Corporation]] (now General Dynamics Land Division).
* The "Hari-Digma" was a contender in the competition for a new wheeled armoured personnel carrier for the [[Philippine Armed Forces]]. It lost out to the [[Simba (APC)|Simba]] which won the competition. There were two Hari-Digma prototypes which differed in the location of the turret.
* The French "[[VXB]]" which was built in small numbers for the [[Gendarmerie Nationale (France)|Gendarmerie]] and for [[Gabon]]
*[[BOV APC|BOV]], a [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] manufactured vehicle, it was later supplanted by the [[LOV]] in former Yugoslav countries.
*Armadillo, The [[Armadillo]] is based on a commercial truck chassis. [[Guatemala]] had to develop this armoured car by itself because they couldn't purchase US-made equipment. The design was obviously inspired by the Commando series. Only 18 were produced.
*DN Caballo - The DN-III (or DN-3) was the first vehicle of the Mexican DN-series that actually entered service (in 1979). The vehicle is probably based on the base of a US-made Dodge 4x4 truck and is also known as [[SEDENA]] 1000. The basic vehicle was armed with only a 7.62 mm machine gun [[FN MAG]] on top of a [[MOWAG]]-type of turret. The [[Mexican army]] has 24 vehicles in service.
* [[BRDM-2]], a [[Soviet]] scout car.

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
* Lathrop, Richard and John McDonald. ''Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando, 1960-1971'''. London, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-415-9
* United States. Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Civilian Operations and Rural Development Support. ''RF/PF Advisors Handbook.'' Saigon, Vietnam: RF and PF Division, Territorial Security Directorate, Civilian Operations and Rural Development Support, Headquarters Military Assistance Command Vietnam, 1971

==External links==
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/v-100.htm Global Security - M706 / V-100 Commando]

{{Modern IFV and APC}}

[[Category:Infantry fighting vehicles]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Philippines]]

[[de:M706]]
[[it:V-100/300 Commando]]
[[no:Cadillac Gage Commando]]
[[ru:Кадиллак Коммандо]]

M24 Chaffee

2008-06-16T06:39:37Z

222.254.82.92: /* Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Light Tank M24
|image=[[Image:M24-Chaffee-latrun-1.jpg|300px]]
|caption=
|origin={{flagcountry|United States}}
|type=Light tank
|is_vehicle=yes
|service=
|used_by=
|wars=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|production_date=1944–August 1945
|number=
|variants=
|weight=18.4 tonnes (40,500 lb)
|length=5.56 m (18.24 ft) ''(w/ gun)'' 5.03 m (16.5 ft) ''(w/o gun)''
|width=3 m (9.84 ft)
|height=2.77 m (9.08 ft)
|crew=5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver)
|armour=9.5–25 mm (0.37–1.49 in)
|primary_armament=1 × [[75 mm US tank gun#M6|75 mm Gun M6]] 48 rounds
|secondary_armament= 1 × [[.50 BMG|.50 cal]] [[M2 Browning machine gun|Browning M2HB]] machine gun 440 rounds 2 × [[.30-06 Springfield|.30-06]] [[M1919 Browning machine gun|Browning M1919A4]] machine gun 3,750 rounds
|engine=2 × [[Cadillac]] Series 44T24, 16 Cylinder
|engine_power=300/220 hp (220/164 kW)
|transmission=
|fuel_capacity=
|pw_ratio= 16.09 hp/tonne
|suspension=[[Torsion beam suspension|Torsion Bar]]
|vehicle_range=161 km (100 mi)
|speed=56 km/h (37 mi/h) (road) 40 km/h (25 mi/h) (off-road)
}}

The '''Light Tank M24''' was an [[United States|American]] [[Tank classification#Light tank|light tank]] used during [[World War II]] and in postwar conflicts including the [[Korean War]]. In British service it was given the service name '''Chaffee''', after the [[United States Army]] [[General]] [[Adna R. Chaffee, Jr.]], who helped develop the use of tanks in the [[Military of the United States|United States armed forces]].

==Development and production history==
Combat experience indicated several shortcomings of the [[Stuart tank|Light Tank M3/M5]], the most important of them being weak armament. The T7 design, which was initially seen as a replacement, evolved into a mediocre Medium Tank M7 and was eventually rejected in March 1943, which prompted the Ordnance Committee to issue a specification for a new light tank, with the same powertrain as the M5A1 but armed with a 75 mm gun.

In April 1943 the Ordnance together with Cadillac division of [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] started work on the new project, designated '''Light Tank T24'''. Every effort was made to keep the weight of the vehicle under 20 tons. The [[vehicle armour|armor]] was kept light, with the glacis plate only 25 mm thick (but [[sloped armour|sloped]] at 60 degrees from the vertical). A new lightweight 75 mm gun was developed, a derivative of the gun used in the [[B-25_Mitchell#Variants|B-25H Mitchell bomber]]. The gun had the same ballistics as the [[75 mm US tank gun#M3|M3]], but used a thin wall barrel and different recoil mechanism. The design also featured wider (16 inch) tracks and [[torsion bar]] suspension. It had relatively low silhouette and a three-man turret.

On October 15, 1943 the first pilot vehicle was delivered and production began in 1944 under the designation '''Light Tank M24'''. It was produced at two sites; from April at [[Cadillac]] and from July at [[Massey-Harris]]. By the time production was stopped in August 1945, 4,731 M24s had left the [[assembly lines]]. Some of them were supplied to the British forces.

==Combat history==
The first M24s reached Europe in December 1944 (actually, the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized) received thirty-four M-24 Chaffee's in November 1944 while in France, 17 each being issued to F Company, 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion, and F Company, 42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion, all of which were rushed to the southern sector of the [[Battle of the Bulge]] in December). Two of them took part in the Battle of the Bulge with the 740th Tank [[Battalion]] of the [[First United States Army|U.S. First Army]]. The M24s were intended to replace the [[M5 light tank|Light Tank M5]] which were used entirely for scouting and screening along the flanks of the main armored forces. They were slow in reaching the front line combat units, and by the end of the war many armored divisions were still mainly equipped with the M5. Some armored divisions did not receive their first M24s until after the end of the war. Reports from the armored divisions that received them prior to the end of hostilities were generally positive. Crews liked the improved off-road performance and reliability, but were most appreciative of the 75 mm main gun, as a vast improvement over the 37 mm. The M24 was not up to the challenge of fighting German tanks, but the bigger gun at least gave its crews a chance to fight back when it was required. The M24's light armor made it vulnerable to virtually all of the German tanks, anti-tank guns, and hand-held anti-tank weapons. The contribution of the M24 to winning the war in Europe was insignificant, as they arrived too late and in too few numbers to replace the worn out M5s of the armored divisions.

In the [[Korean War]], M24s were the first U.S. tanks to see combat against the [[North Korea]]n [[T-34|T-34-85s]]. The M24 fared poorly against these much better-armed and armored medium tanks. M24s were more successful later in the war in their reconnaissance role, when they were supported by heavier tanks such as the [[Sherman tank|M4]], [[Pershing tank|M26]], and [[M46 Patton|M46]].

Like other successful [[World War II]] designs, the M24 was supplied to many armies around the globe and was used in local conflicts long after it had been replaced in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] by the [[M41 Walker Bulldog]]. [[France]] employed its M24s in [[Indochina|Indo-China]] in infantry support missions, with good results. They employed ten M24s in the [[Battle of Dien Bien Phu]]. In December [[1953]] ten disassembled Chaffees were transported by air to provide fire support to the garrison. They fired about 15,000 shells in the long siege that followed before the [[Viet Minh]] forces eventually conquered the camp in May 1954. [[France]] deployed also the M 24 in Algeria. The last known time the aging tank saw action was in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], where some 66 [[Pakistan]]i Chaffees stationed in [[Bangladesh]] were easy prey for the [[Indian Army]] [[T-55]]s, [[PT-76]]s and anti-tank teams. Although both [[Iran]] and [[Iraq]] had M24s prior to the [[Iran-Iraq War]], there is no account of their use in that conflict.

In the mid-70s [[Norway]] upgraded some of their M24s, installing a 90-mm French gun, modern fire controls and a diesel engine. These vehicles, known as NM-116, served in the [[Norwegian Army]] until 1992–93.

Similarly, the [[Chilean Army]] upgunned the tank during the mid-80s to the IMI-OTO 60mm Hyper Velocity Medium Support (HVMS) gun, with comparable performance to a standard 90mm gun. [[Chile]] operated this version until 1999.

[[Uruguay]] continues to use the M24.<ref>[http://www.saorbats.com.ar/ORBAT%20-%20Uruguay%20-%20ENU.htm EJERCITO NACIONAL URUGUAYO - ORBAT]</ref> These Uruguayan Chaffees have been modernized with new engines and 76mm guns which can fire [[Kinetic energy penetrator|APFSDS]] rounds, according to one web site.<ref>[http://www.defesanet.com.br/noticia/blindadosuruguay/ "Las Fuerzas Blindadas del Ejército Uruguayo"], DEFESA@NET, [[22 November]] [[2003]].</ref>

==In Popular Culture==

Chaffees were employed in the 1965 film [[Battle of the Bulge (film)|''Battle of the Bulge'']] to portray American M-4 Sherman tanks. They are also featured in the movie [[Bridge at Remagen]] (where their portrayal is historically accurate) and [[Castle Keep]] to portray German Tanks. In addition to war movies, Italian Army variants are featured in the science fiction [[20,000,000 Miles to Earth]] and there is an American one in [[The Day the Earth Stood Still]]. The animated tank in the opening credits of [[Jonny Quest]] (from "The Robot Spy" episode) also appears to represent an M24. Also, Chaffee tanks appeared in several of the Japanese [[Godzilla]] movies as part of the Japanese army.

== Variants ==
[[Image:155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M41 1.JPG|right|thumb|M41 in the [[United States Army Ordnance Museum|US Army Ordnance Museum]].]]
[[Image:M37 SPH.jpg|thumb|right|[[Spanish Army]] M37 105mm Howitzer]]
*'''Light Tank T24''' - prototype, was standardized as '''Light Tank M24'''.
*'''Light Tank T24E1''' - prototype with Continental R-975-C4 engine and Spicer torque converter transmission. One vehicle was converted from the original T24 prototype and tested in October 1944. The vehicle had superior performance compared to the M24, but suffered from transmission reliability problems.
*'''M19 Gun Motor Carriage'''
:Engine moved to the center of hull, twin 40 mm M2 AA mounted at hull rear (336 rounds). 904 were ordered in August 1944, but only 285 were delivered.
*'''M37 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage'''
:Carried a [[M101 howitzer|105 mm howitzer M4]] (126 rounds). Was intended to replace the [[M7 Priest|105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7]]. 448 ordered, 316 delivered.
*'''M41 155 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage''' (''Gorilla'')
:Engine moved to the center of hull, [[M114 155 mm howitzer|155 mm howitzer M1]] mounted at rear. 250 ordered, 60 delivered.
*'''T77 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage'''.
:Had 6 0.5" [[machine gun]]s mounted in a new designed turret.
*'''T9, T13 Utility vehicles'''.
*'''T22E1, T23E1, T33 Cargo carriers'''.
*'''T42, T43 Cargo tractors'''.
:Based on the T33, the T42 had itorque converter transmission from the [[M18 Hellcat]]. The M43 was a lightened version of the T42.
*'''T9'''.
:Had bulldozer kit installed.
*'''T6E1 Tank recovery vehicle'''.
*'''NM-116'''
:Norwegian upgrade from 1974-75.
*In mid-1950s, in an attempt to improve the anti-tank performance of the vehicle, some French M24s had their turrets replaced with those of the [[AMX-13]] light tank. Interestingly, AMX-13 variant with Chaffee turret also existed.
* The [[M38 Wolfhound]] prototype [[Armored car (military)|armoured car]] was experimentally fitted with an M24 turret.

''Additional Equipment''
*'''M4'''
:Earth Moving Tank Mounting Bulldozer. Bulldozer kit for the M24 series.

== Operators ==
*{{flag|Austria}}
*{{BEL}}
*{{flag|Chile}}
*{{flag|Denmark}}
*{{flag|Ethiopia}}
*{{flag|France}}
*{{flag|Greece}}
*{{flag|Iran}}
*{{flag|Iraq}}
*{{flag|Italy}}
*{{JPN}}
*{{flag|Laos}}
*{{flag|Norway}}
*{{flag|Pakistan}}
*{{PHL}}
*{{flag|Portugal}}
*{{ROC}}
*{{ROK}}
*{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
*{{flag|South Vietnam}}
*{{flag|Spain}}
*{{flag|Thailand}}
*{{flag|Turkey}}
*{{UK}}
*{{flag|Uruguay}}
*{{USA}}
*{{VIE}}

==See also==
*[[List of "M" series military vehicles]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>[[Image:Chaffee light tank cfb borden 2.jpg|M24 at CFB Borden.
Image:Chaffee light tank cfb borden 3.jpg|M24 at CFB Borden.
Image:Chaffee light tank cfb borden 4.jpg|M24 at CFB Borden.
Image:M24-Chaffee-latrun-3.jpg|M24 in Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel.
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
* Hunnicutt, R. P. ''Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank''. Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1992. ISBN 0-89141-462-2.
* Zaloga, Steven, and Jim Laurier. ''M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943–85'' (New Vanguard 77). Botley, England: Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-540-6.

==External links==
{{Commons|M24 Chaffee}}
*[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m24chaffee.html AFV Database]
*[http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fltm24.htm OnWar]
*[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/tanks-light/m24.asp WWIIVehicles]
*[http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks/usa/ligh/m24/m24.htm M24 variants photo galleries at ww2photo.mimerswell.com]
* [http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/m24_chaffee.htm M24 Chaffee Photos and Walk Arounds on Prime Portal]
*[http://144.99.215.51/Data/tmp/objYAsFmXks3WgmXh9DXXTYBjpHeRrj0ioxWE8a0JMNWzYH_8CvgJEc_ekmea1oRDrW6LTdwgiSO_02qY3TKacB3VzJtx4NFM.pdf TM 9-729 Light Tank M24, 6 February 1951 (PDF)]
*[http://www.cavaleriemuseum.nl Dutch Cavalry Museum] has a Chaffee tank in the exposition.
*[http://www.thetankmaster.com/ENGLISH/AFV/CHAFFEE.asp M24 - CHAFFEE - American light tank armed with 75mm – Walk around photos]

{{WWIIAmericanAFVs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaffee, M24}}
[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Light tanks]]
[[Category:World War II tanks of the United States]]

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[[zh:M24霞飛坦克]]

M41 Walker Bulldog

2008-06-16T06:38:38Z

222.254.82.92: /* Current and Former Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
| name=M41 Walker Bulldog
| image=[[Image:M41-walker-bulldog-tank.jpg|300px|M41 Walker Bulldog]]
| caption=
|origin={{flagcountry|United States}}
|type=[[Tank classification|Light tank]]
|is_vehicle=yes
| length= 27 ft (8.2 m)
| width=10.5 ft (3.2 m)
| height= 8.9 ft (2.71 m)
| weight=23.5 t
| suspension=[[torsion bar]]
| speed=45 mph (72 km/h)
| vehicle_range=100 miles (161 km)
| primary_armament=1 x 76 mm M32 gun
| secondary_armament=1 x .50 cal MG, 1 x .30 cal MG
| armour=up to 1.5 inches (38 mm)
| engine=Continental AOS 895-3 6-cylinder [[gasoline engine|gasoline]]
| engine_power=500 hp (373 kW)
| pw_ratio=21.3 hp/tonne
| crew=4
}}

The '''M41 Walker Bulldog''' was an [[USA|American]] [[light tank]] developed to replace the [[M24 Chaffee]]. It was named for General [[Walton Walker]] who was killed in a [[jeep]] accident in [[Korea]].

==History==
While the [[M24 Chaffee]] was a successful design, its main gun was not effective enough against well armored opponents. Although the primary mission of [[light tank]] was scouting, [[Armored Force]] wanted one with more powerful armament. The development of the new tank, T37, began in 1947. The vehicle was designed to be air-transportable, and the desired [[anti-tank]] capabilities were provided by installing a long 76 mm gun with an advanced rangefinder. In 1949, with the adoption of a less ambitious rangefinder, project changed its designation to M41. Production started in 1951 at Cadillac's Cleveland Tank Plant, and by 1953 the new tank completely replaced the M24 in the [[US Army]]. Initially it was nicknamed "Little Bulldog", then renamed to "Walker Bulldog" after General [[Walton Walker]], who was killed in a jeep accident in [[Korea]] in 1950.

The M41 was an agile and well armed vehicle. On the other hand, it was noisy, fuel-hungry and heavy enough to cause problems with air transport. In 1952 work began on lighter designs (T71, [[T92 Light Tank|T92]]), but those projects came to naught and were eventually abandoned.

The Walker Bulldog saw limited combat with the [[US Army]] during the [[Korean War]], but for the most part, the conflict served as a testing ground to work out the tank's deficiencies, especially with its rangefinder. At the time, it was designated as the T-41, and was rushed to the battlefield even before its first test run.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} This was due to the fact that the North Koreans were supplied with Soviet [[T-34]] tanks, which were superior to the [[M24 Chaffee|M-24]]. By 1961, one hundred fifty were delivered to the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]] to supplement their [[Type 61]] [[medium tank]]s. Furthermore, in 1965 a number of vehicles were supplied to [[South Vietnam]]. The M41 went on to form the bulk of the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|ARVN]] Armored Force, and played a significant role in the [[Vietnam War]]. Being too lightly armored for most battlefield tasks, the tank was used mostly for internal security missions. On several occasions when the tank encountered [[People's Army of Vietnam|North Vietnamese]] armor its gun was reportedly effective against enemy tanks, up until first encounters with the [[T-54]] in 1971, when M41 was found inadequate and had to be gradually replaced with [[M48 Patton|M48s]].

The M41 has been also exported to [[Brazil]] (300), [[Chile]] (60), [[Dominican Republic]] (12), [[Guatemala]] (10), [[New Zealand]] (10), [[Somalia]] (10), [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] (675), [[Thailand]] (200), [[Tunisia]] (10) and other countries. Many of these tanks were upgraded to prolong their life. Some are still in service.
Thai M41s were used in the [[2006 Thailand coup d'état|Thailand coup d'état]] in September, 2006.

==Legacy==
The M41 was replaced in the US Army by the advanced, but troublesome [[M551 Sheridan]] [[light tank]] which had a gun/missile which could destroy any [[heavy tank]], could swim and was air drop capable. The chassis of the M41 was used for the [[M42 Duster]], which mounted two 40 mm anti-aircraft guns. It was also built up into the [[M75 Armored Personnel Carrier]], one of the first enclosed box-shaped personnel carriers. The [[M75]] would be the pattern for the [[M113]] [[APC]] which would become the most widely produced US armoured combat vehicle.

==Variants==
[[Image:M41A3-Walker-Bulldog-latrun-2.jpg|250px|right|thumb|M41A3.]]
*'''M41''' (1951).
*'''M41A1''' (1953) - [[Hydraulic]] [[turret]] traverse instead of the [[electrical]] one. The more compact system allowed to increase 76 mm ammunition stowage from 57 to 65 rounds.
*'''M41A2''' (1956) - [[Cummins]] VTA-903T diesel was installed.
*'''M41A3''' - M41/M41A1 with engine replaced by Cummins VTA-903T [[diesel]].
*'''M41 DK-1''' - Danish upgrade. New engine, thermal sights, [[NBC (weapon)|NBC]] protection, side skirts.
*'''M41D''' - Taiwanese upgrade. New locally produced gun, new targeting systems, Detroit Diesel 8V-71T diesel engine, [[reactive armor]].<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m41.htm M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank]</ref>

*'''[[M42 Duster]]''' (1952) - Self propelled anti-aircraft defense weapon system based on the M41 chassis. Two [[Bofors 40 mm gun]]s were mounted in the turret.

Also Brazilian, German, Spanish, Uruguayan upgraded variants. Another upgrade package for the M41 was developed by the Nimda Group, Israel, solely for export.

==Current and Former Operators==

* {{AUS}}
* {{AUT}} - 42 M-41 (1960 - 1979)
* {{BEL}} - 135 M-41 (1958 - 1974)
* {{BRA}} - 286 M-41B and M-41C
* {{DEN}} - 56 M-41DK (1953-1998)
* {{DOM}}
* {{GUA}}
* {{JPN}}
* {{LBN}}
* {{NZL}}
* {{PHL}} - 67 M-41C
* {{SOM}}
* {{VIE}} - 30 M-41
* {{flag|South Vietnam}}
* {{ESP}}
* {{ROC}} ([[Taiwan]]) - 675 M-41 and M-41D [[Republic of China Marine Corps]] and [[Republic of China Army]] <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm Army Equipment - Taiwan]</ref>
*{{THA}}
* {{TUN}}
* {{URY}} - 22 M41UR. Modifications include a 90 mm Cockerill cannon and a Scania DS-14 diesel engine
* {{USA}}
* {{FRG}}

==See also==
*[[List of "M" series military vehicles]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|M41 Walker Bulldog}}
*[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m41bulldog.html AFV Database]
*[http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/M41.html Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide]
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m41.htm Globalsecurity.org]
*[http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m41.php3 M41 Photos at Olive-Drab]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker Bulldog, M41}}
[[Category:Light tanks]]
[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Republic of China]]

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[[ru:M41 Уокер Бульдог]]
[[fi:M41 Walker Bulldog]]

M48 Patton

2008-06-16T06:37:29Z

222.254.82.92: /* Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=M48 Patton
|image=[[Image:M48A1-Patton-tank.jpg|300px]]
|caption=
|origin=[[United States]]
|type=[[Main battle tank]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|service= 1950s - 1990s (USA)
|used_by=
|wars= [[Vietnam War]], [[Six Day War]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], [[Iran-Iraq War]]
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer= M48: [[Chrysler]], [[Fisher Tank Arsenal]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date= M48: 1952 - 1959
|number= M48: ~12,000
|variants= Many, see [[M48 Patton#Variants|the variants section]]
|weight=M48: 45 [[tonne]]s (44.2 tons) combat ready
|length=9.3 m (30.22')
|width=3.65 m (11.86')
|height=3.1 m (10.07')
|crew=4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
|armour=120 mm (4.89")
|primary_armament= [[90 mm gun]] T54; M48A5 and later variants: 105 mm [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68]] gun
|secondary_armament=.50 in (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 Machine gun]] .3 in (7.62 mm) [[M73 Machine gun]]
|engine= [[Continental Motors|Continental]] [[Continental AV1790|AVDS-1790-5B]] [[V12]] aircooled, twin turbocharged gas engine (early M48s) 810 hp (604 kW)
Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12 air cooled, twin turbocharged diesel
|engine_power=750 hp
|transmission=General Motors CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
|fuel_capacity=757 litres (200 gals)
|pw_ratio=16.6 hp/tonne
|suspension=torsion bar
|clearance=
|vehicle_range=463 km (287 miles)
|speed=48 km/h (29.8 mph)
}}

The '''M48 Patton''' was one of the [[United States Army|U.S army]]'s principal [[main battle tank]]s of the [[Cold War]], with models in service from the early 1950s to the 1990s. The M48 was the U.S. Army and Marine Corps primary tank during the Vietnam War. It was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, especially other NATO countries. The tank belongs to the [[Patton tank|Patton family]] of tanks, named after [[General]] [[George S. Patton]], commander of the U.S. Third Army during [[World War II]] and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the [[M47 Patton]] tank.

The M48 Patton tank was designed to replace the previous M47 Pattons and [[M4 Sherman]]s. Although largely resembling the M47, the M48 Patton was a completely new tank design despite a rough similarity from a distance. Some M48A5 models served well into the 80s. Internationally, many various M48 Patton models remain in service. The M48 was the last American tank to mount the 90mm tank gun, and in fact later models were upgraded to carry the new standard weapon of 105mm.

==History==
[[Image:M48-marines-vietnam.gif|250px|thumb|left|
Marines of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M48A3 tank, Vietnam, 1966.]]
A year after the M47 entered service, the US Army decided to replace it by yet another product of the evolution of the Pershing/Patton line, the '''M48''', still dubbed Patton. A deeper modernization than the M46 and the M47, the M48 featured a new turret, new redesigned hull and an improved suspension. The hull machine gunner position was removed, reducing the crew to 4. Essentially, it was a new tank altogether.

Nearly 12,000 M48s were built from 1952 to 1959. The early designs were powered by gasoline engines which gave the tank a short operating range and were prone to catching fire when hit. This version was considered unreliable but numerous examples saw combat use in various Arab-Israeli conflicts. They also were prone to fire when the turret was penetrated and the hydraulic lines ruptured spewing "cherry juice" (the nickname for the red fluid) at high pressure into the crew compartment resulting in a fireball. The flashpoint was too low at less than 300 F, causing many burn injuries and deaths to crew members. In 1959, American M48s were upgraded to the M48A3 model which featured a diesel power plant. However, in 1975, M48's with gas engines were still in use by many West German Army units including the 124th Panzer Battalion.

===M48A5===
In the mid-1970s, the M48A5 upgrade was developed to allow the vehicle to carry the heavier 105mm gun. This was designed to bring the M48s up to speed with the [[M60 Patton|M60]] tanks then in regular use. Most of the M48s were placed into service with reserve units by this time.

By the mid-1990s, the M48s were phased out of U.S. service. However, many foreign countries continued to use the M48 models.

==Combat service==
=== Vietnam ===
[[Image:M48tank-USMarines-Vietnam.jpg|thumb|300px|left|U.S. Marines riding atop an M48 tank, Vietnam, April 1968.]]
The M48s saw action during the [[Vietnam War]]. Some were assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units, arriving in Vietnam in 1965. Others were in three U.S. Army battalions, the 1/77th Armor near the DMZ, the 1/69th Armor in the Central Highlands, and the 2/34th Armor near the Mekong Delta. Each battalion consisted of approximately fifty seven tanks. M48s were also used by armored cavalry squadrons in Vietnam, until replaced by [[M551]] Sheridan tanks. The M67A1 [[flamethrower]] tank (nicknamed the [[Zippo]]) was an M48 variant used in Vietnam.

The M48s performed admirably{{Fact|date=November 2007}} in Vietnam in the infantry-support role. There were few actual tank versus tank battles. One was between the 1/69th Armor and [[Vietnam People's Army|NVA]] [[PT-76]] tanks near Ben Het in 1969. The M48s provided adequate protection for its crew from small arms, mines, and [[rocket-propelled grenade|RPGs]].

M48s were the only vehicles in Vietnam that could reasonably protect their crews from land mines. They were often used for minesweeping operations along Highway 19 in the [[Central Highlands]], a two lane paved road between [[An Khe]] and [[Pleiku]]. Daily convoys moved both ways along Highway 19. These convoys were held up each morning while the road was swept for mines. At that time, minesweeping was done by soldiers walking slowly over the dirt shoulders of the highway with hand-held mine detectors. During this slow process, convoys would build up to a dangerously inviting target for the enemy. As a result a faster method was improvised. One M48 lined up on each side of the road, with one track on the dirt shoulder and the other track on the asphalt; then they raced to a designated position miles away. If M48s made it without striking a mine, the road was clear and the convoys could proceed. In most cases, an M48 that struck a land mine in these operations only lost a road wheel or two in the explosion; seldom was there any hull damage which would be considered "totaling" the tank.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

=== Indo-Pakistani Wars ===
M47s and M48s were again used in tank warfare by the [[Pakistan Army]] against [[Indian Army]]'s [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] and M4 Sherman tanks in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] with some good results. In the [[Rann of Kutch]] the tanks proved surprisingly nimble in marshy terrain, and Pakistani forces drove back Indian incursions. In [[Kashmir]] and [[Punjab region|Punjab]], the tank had its first real test. During ''Operation Grandslam'', Pakistani tank forces broke through the Indian lines very quickly, and defeated armored counterattacks. The Pakistanis used approximately a division worth of tanks though not all were Pattons. The Patton failed to live up to expectations in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]], where elements of the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division attacked an entrenched Indian position, and many Pattons were destroyed and captured. The Pattons had a better outing in the [[Battle of Chawinda]] where they destroyed many Indian tanks. They were used with success by 25th Cavalry during its famous stand on the first day of that battle.<ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/index.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>

The Patton was later used by Pakistan in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], with mixed results. In a repetition of 1965, Pattons spearheaded the Pakistani advance through Chamb, and the Patton was the main Pakistani tank at Shakarghar. In the latter battle, a brigade of tanks (the Changez Force) successfully resisted the Indian advance, in a repeat of Chawinda. However, in what became known as Pakistan's [[Charge of the Light Brigade]], a counterattack led by 13th Lancers and 31st Cavalry was mauled by the Indian 54th Division around [[Battle of Barapind].However, the objectives set were achieved.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of the Pakistan Army |last=Cloughy |first=Brian |isbn=970-0-19-547334-6 }}</ref> India set up a war memorial named "''Patton Nagar''" ("Patton Town") in [[Khemkaran]] District, where the captured Pakistani Patton tanks are displayed.

Analyzing their performance, the Pakistani Army held that the Patton was held in unreasonably high esteem by both sides and that tactics were to blame for the debacle at Asal Uttar and Basantar. <ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/tanks/patton.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>. However, a U.S. study of the battles in South Asia concluded that the Patton's armor could in fact be penetrated by the 84mm [[Ordnance QF 20 pounder|20 pounder gun]] of the Centurion and the 75mm gun of the [[AMX-13]].

===Middle East===

M48s were also used with mixed results during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]]. On the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] front, [[Israel]]i M48s were used with stunning success against [[Egypt]]ian [[T-54]]s and [[T-34]]s supplied by the [[Soviet Union]]. However, on the [[West Bank]] front, [[Jordan]]ian M48s were regularly defeated by Israeli WWII-era M4 Shermans (upgunned with 105mm guns), the result of superior Israeli tactics and crews. In pure technical terms the Jordanian Pattons were far superior to the Israeli Shermans, with Israeli shots at more than 1,000 meters simply glancing off the M48s' armor. Other reasons for the Jordanian Pattons' failure on the West Bank were Israeli [[air superiority]] and a distinct lack of aggressive handling by the Jordanian crews. The Israeli Army captured about 100 Jordanian M48 and M48A1 tanks and pressed them into service in their own units after the war.

M48s were used by the [[Lebanese Army]] and the Christian [[Lebanese Forces]] militia in the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. The Lebanese Army still operates about 100 M48s. In 2007, during the [[2007 North Lebanon conflict]] Lebanese Army M48s shelled militant outposts in a refugee camp. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3402989,00.html]

M48s were used, along with M47s, in the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] in July and August 1974.

==Variants==
===U.S. variants===
[[Image:M48 Patton Tank on display.jpg|thumb|right|200px|M48 Patton]]
*'''M48''' - Differed from the M47 in having yet another new turret design and a redesigned hull, doing away with the bow machine gun position, featuring the M41 90 mm gun. These turrets give the M48 its distinctive non-M26 style look. Originally the gun featured a Y-shape muzzle brake, but this was changed to the more characteristic T-shape.
**'''M48C''' - Over a hundred original production hulls were found to be lacking correct ballistic protection and were relegated to training as the M48C.
*'''M48A1''' - New driver hatch and M1 commander's cupola, allowing the M2HB .50 caliber machine gun to be operated and reloaded from within the vehicle.
*'''M48A2''' - improved powerpack and transmission, redesigned rear plate, an improved turret control.
**'''M48A2C''' - M48A2s with an improved rangefinder, M17, new ballistic drive and bore evacuator for the main gun, and the auxiliary tensioning wheels were deleted.
*'''M48A3''' - Refit of M48A1s with diesel engines and a new fire control system.
**'''M48A3 Mod. B''' - Additional armor on the exhausts and tail lights, and a raised commanders cupola.
*'''M48A4''' - Proposed refit of M48A3s with M60 turrets, scrapped with the need of these previous "surplus" turrets with the failure of the M60A2
*'''M48A5''' - Upgunned with the 105 mm M68 gun.
**'''M48A5PI''' - M1 cupola replaced by the Israeli Urdan model.
[[Image:Marineflametank1968.jpg|thumb|An M67 "Zippo" tank of the U.S.M.C. during the Vietnam war.]]
*'''M67 "Zippo"''' - M48 armed with a flamethrower inside a dummy model of the main gun with fake muzzle brake.
**'''M67A1''' - M67 variant, M48A2 hulls used.
**'''M67A2''' - M67 variant, M48A3 hulls used.

===Specialized variants===
*'''[[M88 Recovery Vehicle|M88 Hercules]]''' - [[Armored recovery vehicle]] based on M48 chassis.

''Additional equipment'':
*'''M8''' - Bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48.
**'''M8A1''' - Improved bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48

===British variant===
*'''[[M48 Marksman]]''' - a SPAAG version, equipped with a Marksman turret.

===Israeli variants===
Israel created an extensive number of variants of the series from tanks acquired initially from a number of sources, including capturing them in battle, or from other countries such as Germany and the United States.
Many of the Israeli M48's have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor, drastically improving their armor protection. These uparmored versions are called [[Magach]].

*'''[[E-48]]'''
**'''E-48 AVLB''' - a M48 AVLB but with an Israeli bridge.
**'''E-48 (M48A2)''' - basically unmodified M48A2 from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A2C)''' - basically unmodified M48A2C from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A3)''' - basically unmodified M48A3 from USA
*'''[[Magach]]''' - a series of improved Israeli versions of the M48 and the M60.

===Jordanian variants===
*'''AB1''' - Jordanian armoured recovery vehicle.
*'''AB9B1''' - Jordanian upgrade with 120 mm smoothbore gun.

=== Taiwanese variants===
*'''M48H/CM-11 "Brave Tiger"''' - Taiwanese version consisting of an up-gunned M48A2 turret and a M60A3 hull and fitted with [[Explosive reactive armor|ERA]]. Also has significant upgrades to the gun tracking equipment and fire control.
*'''CM-12 ''' - M48A3 MBT receiving the same weapons and fire control upgrades as those of CM-11.

=== Hellenic variants ===

*'''M48A5 MOLF''' - The [[Hellenic Army]] has added the EMES-18 FCS to their M48A5, denumerating them as “MOLF” for Modular Laser Fire Control System.

===Spanish variants===
*'''M48A5E''' - M48A5 variant, 105 mm gun with laser rangefinder.
*'''Alacran CZ-10/25E''' - Spanish army combat engineer variant. (M-60.A1)
**'''Alacran CZ-10/30E''' - Upgraded CZ-10/25E. (M-60.A1)

===South Korean variants===
*'''M48A5K''' - Fitted with M68 105mm gun, additional Side skirt, and significant fire control upgrades. FCS was Called LTFCS system.

*'''M48A3K''' - M48A3K shifts the gasoline engine previously with the diesel engine, the muzzle brake was fitted 'T' form brake, added 3 support wheel and the fitted tank commander periscope on Turret, and M48A3K in M48A3 additionally to improve a smoke grenade launcher affix and a fire control system from Republic of Korea

===Turkish variants===
*'''M48A5T1''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant along similar lines to the M48A5, with M68 105 mm main armament, passive night vision and MTU diesel engines.
*'''M48A5T2''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant, improved version of the M48A5T1 with thermal sight and laser rangefinder.
*'''M48T5 "Tamay" ARV''' - Turkish-designed armored recovery vehicle based on the M48 body.

===German variants===
[[Image:Wik.Los 003.jpg|thumb|M 48 of the German Home Defense Forces in 1985]]
*'''Minenraeumpanzer Keiler''' - armored mine clearing vehicle based on a widely modified M48 A2C cast hull. (Still in service)
*'''Kampfpanzer M48 A2C''' - replaced the Kampfpanzer M47 since the end of the fifties and saw service with the ''Home Defense Forces'' in reserve units until the early nineties
*'''Kampfpanzer M48A2GA2''' - upgraded version with the 105mm L7 cannon and a different [[MG3]] installation from the [[Leopard (tank)|Leopard 1]]. Out of service in the early nineties
*'''Super M48''' - upgraded version M48.<ref>[http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/superm48.htm Super M48]</ref>

==Operators==

*{{GRE}} - 390 M48A5 MOLF, 228 M48 A5 (Retiring)
*{{IRN}} - 80
*{{ISR}} - 561 [[Magach|Magach 5 Golan]] <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/army-equipment.htm Israel - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{JOR}} - 200
*{{KOR}} - 850 M48A5K <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/army-equipment.htm Republic of Korea - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{LBN}} - 104 M48A1 and M48A5
*{{TRNC}} - 235 <ref>''Turkey: A Country Study'', p.350. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1419191268</ref>
*{{PAK}} - 345 M48A5
*{{ROC}} ([[Taiwan]]) - 450 CM-11, 100 CM-12 <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm Taiwan - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{THA}} - 150
*{{TUN}} - 28
*{{TUR}} - 525 M48A5, 250 M48T5, 1350 M48A5T1 and 750 M48A5T2
*{{VIE}} - 20 M48
===Former Operators===

*{{MAR}} - 224 M48A5
*{{NOR}} - 38 M48A5
*{{POR}} - 86 M48A5
*{{ESP}} - 164 M48A5E
*{{USA}}
*{{FRG}}
*{{PHI}} - M48
*{{flag|South Vietnam}} - 20 (passed on to [[Socialist Republic of Vietnam]])

==Tank Trivia==
*The M47 and M48 were the only tanks to be the primary MBT of both the United States and West Germany.
*The M48 was the last U.S. tank to have a dedicated flame thrower version.
*There is a town named ''Patton Nagar'' in India where the Pakistani M48 Patton tanks captured during the [[Indo-Pakistani wars]] are displayed.

==See also==
*[[T54]]
*[[M46 Patton]]
*[[M47 Patton]]
*[[M60 Patton]]
*[[M103 heavy tank]]
*[[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]

==References and notes==
{{Reflist}}
*Steven J Zaloga, Tony Bryan, Jim Laurier - "''M26–M46 Pershing Tank 1943–1953''", 2000 Osprey Publishing (New Vanguard 35), ISBN 1-84176-202-4.
*Keith W. Nolan "''Into Lao's, Operation Lam Son 719 and Dewey Canyon II''" 1986. Presidio Press. Account of the US Army's final offensive of the Vietnam War.
*Abraham Rabinovich - "''The Battle for Jerusalem June 5-7, 1967''", 2004 Sefer Ve Sefer Publlishing, Jerusalem, ISBN 965-7287-07-3

==External links==
{{commons|Patton tank}}
* [http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html AFV Database: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m48.htm GlobalSecurity.org: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.patton-mania.com/ Patton-Mania]

[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Republic of China]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Turkey]]
[[Category:Tanks of Israel]]

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M48 Patton

2008-06-16T06:36:18Z

222.254.82.92: /* Former Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=M48 Patton
|image=[[Image:M48A1-Patton-tank.jpg|300px]]
|caption=
|origin=[[United States]]
|type=[[Main battle tank]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|service= 1950s - 1990s (USA)
|used_by=
|wars= [[Vietnam War]], [[Six Day War]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], [[Iran-Iraq War]]
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer= M48: [[Chrysler]], [[Fisher Tank Arsenal]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date= M48: 1952 - 1959
|number= M48: ~12,000
|variants= Many, see [[M48 Patton#Variants|the variants section]]
|weight=M48: 45 [[tonne]]s (44.2 tons) combat ready
|length=9.3 m (30.22')
|width=3.65 m (11.86')
|height=3.1 m (10.07')
|crew=4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
|armour=120 mm (4.89")
|primary_armament= [[90 mm gun]] T54; M48A5 and later variants: 105 mm [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68]] gun
|secondary_armament=.50 in (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 Machine gun]] .3 in (7.62 mm) [[M73 Machine gun]]
|engine= [[Continental Motors|Continental]] [[Continental AV1790|AVDS-1790-5B]] [[V12]] aircooled, twin turbocharged gas engine (early M48s) 810 hp (604 kW)
Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12 air cooled, twin turbocharged diesel
|engine_power=750 hp
|transmission=General Motors CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
|fuel_capacity=757 litres (200 gals)
|pw_ratio=16.6 hp/tonne
|suspension=torsion bar
|clearance=
|vehicle_range=463 km (287 miles)
|speed=48 km/h (29.8 mph)
}}

The '''M48 Patton''' was one of the [[United States Army|U.S army]]'s principal [[main battle tank]]s of the [[Cold War]], with models in service from the early 1950s to the 1990s. The M48 was the U.S. Army and Marine Corps primary tank during the Vietnam War. It was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, especially other NATO countries. The tank belongs to the [[Patton tank|Patton family]] of tanks, named after [[General]] [[George S. Patton]], commander of the U.S. Third Army during [[World War II]] and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the [[M47 Patton]] tank.

The M48 Patton tank was designed to replace the previous M47 Pattons and [[M4 Sherman]]s. Although largely resembling the M47, the M48 Patton was a completely new tank design despite a rough similarity from a distance. Some M48A5 models served well into the 80s. Internationally, many various M48 Patton models remain in service. The M48 was the last American tank to mount the 90mm tank gun, and in fact later models were upgraded to carry the new standard weapon of 105mm.

==History==
[[Image:M48-marines-vietnam.gif|250px|thumb|left|
Marines of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M48A3 tank, Vietnam, 1966.]]
A year after the M47 entered service, the US Army decided to replace it by yet another product of the evolution of the Pershing/Patton line, the '''M48''', still dubbed Patton. A deeper modernization than the M46 and the M47, the M48 featured a new turret, new redesigned hull and an improved suspension. The hull machine gunner position was removed, reducing the crew to 4. Essentially, it was a new tank altogether.

Nearly 12,000 M48s were built from 1952 to 1959. The early designs were powered by gasoline engines which gave the tank a short operating range and were prone to catching fire when hit. This version was considered unreliable but numerous examples saw combat use in various Arab-Israeli conflicts. They also were prone to fire when the turret was penetrated and the hydraulic lines ruptured spewing "cherry juice" (the nickname for the red fluid) at high pressure into the crew compartment resulting in a fireball. The flashpoint was too low at less than 300 F, causing many burn injuries and deaths to crew members. In 1959, American M48s were upgraded to the M48A3 model which featured a diesel power plant. However, in 1975, M48's with gas engines were still in use by many West German Army units including the 124th Panzer Battalion.

===M48A5===
In the mid-1970s, the M48A5 upgrade was developed to allow the vehicle to carry the heavier 105mm gun. This was designed to bring the M48s up to speed with the [[M60 Patton|M60]] tanks then in regular use. Most of the M48s were placed into service with reserve units by this time.

By the mid-1990s, the M48s were phased out of U.S. service. However, many foreign countries continued to use the M48 models.

==Combat service==
=== Vietnam ===
[[Image:M48tank-USMarines-Vietnam.jpg|thumb|300px|left|U.S. Marines riding atop an M48 tank, Vietnam, April 1968.]]
The M48s saw action during the [[Vietnam War]]. Some were assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units, arriving in Vietnam in 1965. Others were in three U.S. Army battalions, the 1/77th Armor near the DMZ, the 1/69th Armor in the Central Highlands, and the 2/34th Armor near the Mekong Delta. Each battalion consisted of approximately fifty seven tanks. M48s were also used by armored cavalry squadrons in Vietnam, until replaced by [[M551]] Sheridan tanks. The M67A1 [[flamethrower]] tank (nicknamed the [[Zippo]]) was an M48 variant used in Vietnam.

The M48s performed admirably{{Fact|date=November 2007}} in Vietnam in the infantry-support role. There were few actual tank versus tank battles. One was between the 1/69th Armor and [[Vietnam People's Army|NVA]] [[PT-76]] tanks near Ben Het in 1969. The M48s provided adequate protection for its crew from small arms, mines, and [[rocket-propelled grenade|RPGs]].

M48s were the only vehicles in Vietnam that could reasonably protect their crews from land mines. They were often used for minesweeping operations along Highway 19 in the [[Central Highlands]], a two lane paved road between [[An Khe]] and [[Pleiku]]. Daily convoys moved both ways along Highway 19. These convoys were held up each morning while the road was swept for mines. At that time, minesweeping was done by soldiers walking slowly over the dirt shoulders of the highway with hand-held mine detectors. During this slow process, convoys would build up to a dangerously inviting target for the enemy. As a result a faster method was improvised. One M48 lined up on each side of the road, with one track on the dirt shoulder and the other track on the asphalt; then they raced to a designated position miles away. If M48s made it without striking a mine, the road was clear and the convoys could proceed. In most cases, an M48 that struck a land mine in these operations only lost a road wheel or two in the explosion; seldom was there any hull damage which would be considered "totaling" the tank.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

=== Indo-Pakistani Wars ===
M47s and M48s were again used in tank warfare by the [[Pakistan Army]] against [[Indian Army]]'s [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] and M4 Sherman tanks in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] with some good results. In the [[Rann of Kutch]] the tanks proved surprisingly nimble in marshy terrain, and Pakistani forces drove back Indian incursions. In [[Kashmir]] and [[Punjab region|Punjab]], the tank had its first real test. During ''Operation Grandslam'', Pakistani tank forces broke through the Indian lines very quickly, and defeated armored counterattacks. The Pakistanis used approximately a division worth of tanks though not all were Pattons. The Patton failed to live up to expectations in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]], where elements of the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division attacked an entrenched Indian position, and many Pattons were destroyed and captured. The Pattons had a better outing in the [[Battle of Chawinda]] where they destroyed many Indian tanks. They were used with success by 25th Cavalry during its famous stand on the first day of that battle.<ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/index.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>

The Patton was later used by Pakistan in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], with mixed results. In a repetition of 1965, Pattons spearheaded the Pakistani advance through Chamb, and the Patton was the main Pakistani tank at Shakarghar. In the latter battle, a brigade of tanks (the Changez Force) successfully resisted the Indian advance, in a repeat of Chawinda. However, in what became known as Pakistan's [[Charge of the Light Brigade]], a counterattack led by 13th Lancers and 31st Cavalry was mauled by the Indian 54th Division around [[Battle of Barapind].However, the objectives set were achieved.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of the Pakistan Army |last=Cloughy |first=Brian |isbn=970-0-19-547334-6 }}</ref> India set up a war memorial named "''Patton Nagar''" ("Patton Town") in [[Khemkaran]] District, where the captured Pakistani Patton tanks are displayed.

Analyzing their performance, the Pakistani Army held that the Patton was held in unreasonably high esteem by both sides and that tactics were to blame for the debacle at Asal Uttar and Basantar. <ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/tanks/patton.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>. However, a U.S. study of the battles in South Asia concluded that the Patton's armor could in fact be penetrated by the 84mm [[Ordnance QF 20 pounder|20 pounder gun]] of the Centurion and the 75mm gun of the [[AMX-13]].

===Middle East===

M48s were also used with mixed results during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]]. On the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] front, [[Israel]]i M48s were used with stunning success against [[Egypt]]ian [[T-54]]s and [[T-34]]s supplied by the [[Soviet Union]]. However, on the [[West Bank]] front, [[Jordan]]ian M48s were regularly defeated by Israeli WWII-era M4 Shermans (upgunned with 105mm guns), the result of superior Israeli tactics and crews. In pure technical terms the Jordanian Pattons were far superior to the Israeli Shermans, with Israeli shots at more than 1,000 meters simply glancing off the M48s' armor. Other reasons for the Jordanian Pattons' failure on the West Bank were Israeli [[air superiority]] and a distinct lack of aggressive handling by the Jordanian crews. The Israeli Army captured about 100 Jordanian M48 and M48A1 tanks and pressed them into service in their own units after the war.

M48s were used by the [[Lebanese Army]] and the Christian [[Lebanese Forces]] militia in the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. The Lebanese Army still operates about 100 M48s. In 2007, during the [[2007 North Lebanon conflict]] Lebanese Army M48s shelled militant outposts in a refugee camp. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3402989,00.html]

M48s were used, along with M47s, in the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] in July and August 1974.

==Variants==
===U.S. variants===
[[Image:M48 Patton Tank on display.jpg|thumb|right|200px|M48 Patton]]
*'''M48''' - Differed from the M47 in having yet another new turret design and a redesigned hull, doing away with the bow machine gun position, featuring the M41 90 mm gun. These turrets give the M48 its distinctive non-M26 style look. Originally the gun featured a Y-shape muzzle brake, but this was changed to the more characteristic T-shape.
**'''M48C''' - Over a hundred original production hulls were found to be lacking correct ballistic protection and were relegated to training as the M48C.
*'''M48A1''' - New driver hatch and M1 commander's cupola, allowing the M2HB .50 caliber machine gun to be operated and reloaded from within the vehicle.
*'''M48A2''' - improved powerpack and transmission, redesigned rear plate, an improved turret control.
**'''M48A2C''' - M48A2s with an improved rangefinder, M17, new ballistic drive and bore evacuator for the main gun, and the auxiliary tensioning wheels were deleted.
*'''M48A3''' - Refit of M48A1s with diesel engines and a new fire control system.
**'''M48A3 Mod. B''' - Additional armor on the exhausts and tail lights, and a raised commanders cupola.
*'''M48A4''' - Proposed refit of M48A3s with M60 turrets, scrapped with the need of these previous "surplus" turrets with the failure of the M60A2
*'''M48A5''' - Upgunned with the 105 mm M68 gun.
**'''M48A5PI''' - M1 cupola replaced by the Israeli Urdan model.
[[Image:Marineflametank1968.jpg|thumb|An M67 "Zippo" tank of the U.S.M.C. during the Vietnam war.]]
*'''M67 "Zippo"''' - M48 armed with a flamethrower inside a dummy model of the main gun with fake muzzle brake.
**'''M67A1''' - M67 variant, M48A2 hulls used.
**'''M67A2''' - M67 variant, M48A3 hulls used.

===Specialized variants===
*'''[[M88 Recovery Vehicle|M88 Hercules]]''' - [[Armored recovery vehicle]] based on M48 chassis.

''Additional equipment'':
*'''M8''' - Bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48.
**'''M8A1''' - Improved bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48

===British variant===
*'''[[M48 Marksman]]''' - a SPAAG version, equipped with a Marksman turret.

===Israeli variants===
Israel created an extensive number of variants of the series from tanks acquired initially from a number of sources, including capturing them in battle, or from other countries such as Germany and the United States.
Many of the Israeli M48's have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor, drastically improving their armor protection. These uparmored versions are called [[Magach]].

*'''[[E-48]]'''
**'''E-48 AVLB''' - a M48 AVLB but with an Israeli bridge.
**'''E-48 (M48A2)''' - basically unmodified M48A2 from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A2C)''' - basically unmodified M48A2C from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A3)''' - basically unmodified M48A3 from USA
*'''[[Magach]]''' - a series of improved Israeli versions of the M48 and the M60.

===Jordanian variants===
*'''AB1''' - Jordanian armoured recovery vehicle.
*'''AB9B1''' - Jordanian upgrade with 120 mm smoothbore gun.

=== Taiwanese variants===
*'''M48H/CM-11 "Brave Tiger"''' - Taiwanese version consisting of an up-gunned M48A2 turret and a M60A3 hull and fitted with [[Explosive reactive armor|ERA]]. Also has significant upgrades to the gun tracking equipment and fire control.
*'''CM-12 ''' - M48A3 MBT receiving the same weapons and fire control upgrades as those of CM-11.

=== Hellenic variants ===

*'''M48A5 MOLF''' - The [[Hellenic Army]] has added the EMES-18 FCS to their M48A5, denumerating them as “MOLF” for Modular Laser Fire Control System.

===Spanish variants===
*'''M48A5E''' - M48A5 variant, 105 mm gun with laser rangefinder.
*'''Alacran CZ-10/25E''' - Spanish army combat engineer variant. (M-60.A1)
**'''Alacran CZ-10/30E''' - Upgraded CZ-10/25E. (M-60.A1)

===South Korean variants===
*'''M48A5K''' - Fitted with M68 105mm gun, additional Side skirt, and significant fire control upgrades. FCS was Called LTFCS system.

*'''M48A3K''' - M48A3K shifts the gasoline engine previously with the diesel engine, the muzzle brake was fitted 'T' form brake, added 3 support wheel and the fitted tank commander periscope on Turret, and M48A3K in M48A3 additionally to improve a smoke grenade launcher affix and a fire control system from Republic of Korea

===Turkish variants===
*'''M48A5T1''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant along similar lines to the M48A5, with M68 105 mm main armament, passive night vision and MTU diesel engines.
*'''M48A5T2''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant, improved version of the M48A5T1 with thermal sight and laser rangefinder.
*'''M48T5 "Tamay" ARV''' - Turkish-designed armored recovery vehicle based on the M48 body.

===German variants===
[[Image:Wik.Los 003.jpg|thumb|M 48 of the German Home Defense Forces in 1985]]
*'''Minenraeumpanzer Keiler''' - armored mine clearing vehicle based on a widely modified M48 A2C cast hull. (Still in service)
*'''Kampfpanzer M48 A2C''' - replaced the Kampfpanzer M47 since the end of the fifties and saw service with the ''Home Defense Forces'' in reserve units until the early nineties
*'''Kampfpanzer M48A2GA2''' - upgraded version with the 105mm L7 cannon and a different [[MG3]] installation from the [[Leopard (tank)|Leopard 1]]. Out of service in the early nineties
*'''Super M48''' - upgraded version M48.<ref>[http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/superm48.htm Super M48]</ref>

==Operators==

*{{GRE}} - 390 M48A5 MOLF, 228 M48 A5 (Retiring)
*{{IRN}} - 80
*{{ISR}} - 561 [[Magach|Magach 5 Golan]] <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/army-equipment.htm Israel - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{JOR}} - 200
*{{KOR}} - 850 M48A5K <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/army-equipment.htm Republic of Korea - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{LBN}} - 104 M48A1 and M48A5
*{{TRNC}} - 235 <ref>''Turkey: A Country Study'', p.350. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1419191268</ref>
*{{PAK}} - 345 M48A5
*{{ROC}} ([[Taiwan]]) - 450 CM-11, 100 CM-12 <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm Taiwan - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{THA}} - 150
*{{TUN}} - 28
*{{TUR}} - 525 M48A5, 250 M48T5, 1350 M48A5T1 and 750 M48A5T2

===Former Operators===

*{{MAR}} - 224 M48A5
*{{NOR}} - 38 M48A5
*{{POR}} - 86 M48A5
*{{ESP}} - 164 M48A5E
*{{USA}}
*{{FRG}}
*{{PHI}} - M48
*{{flag|South Vietnam}} - 20 (passed on to [[Socialist Republic of Vietnam]])

==Tank Trivia==
*The M47 and M48 were the only tanks to be the primary MBT of both the United States and West Germany.
*The M48 was the last U.S. tank to have a dedicated flame thrower version.
*There is a town named ''Patton Nagar'' in India where the Pakistani M48 Patton tanks captured during the [[Indo-Pakistani wars]] are displayed.

==See also==
*[[T54]]
*[[M46 Patton]]
*[[M47 Patton]]
*[[M60 Patton]]
*[[M103 heavy tank]]
*[[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]

==References and notes==
{{Reflist}}
*Steven J Zaloga, Tony Bryan, Jim Laurier - "''M26–M46 Pershing Tank 1943–1953''", 2000 Osprey Publishing (New Vanguard 35), ISBN 1-84176-202-4.
*Keith W. Nolan "''Into Lao's, Operation Lam Son 719 and Dewey Canyon II''" 1986. Presidio Press. Account of the US Army's final offensive of the Vietnam War.
*Abraham Rabinovich - "''The Battle for Jerusalem June 5-7, 1967''", 2004 Sefer Ve Sefer Publlishing, Jerusalem, ISBN 965-7287-07-3

==External links==
{{commons|Patton tank}}
* [http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html AFV Database: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m48.htm GlobalSecurity.org: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.patton-mania.com/ Patton-Mania]

[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Republic of China]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Turkey]]
[[Category:Tanks of Israel]]

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[[id:M48 Patton]]
[[it:M47 Patton]]
[[he:פטון (טנק)]]
[[ja:M48 (戦車)]]
[[no:Patton (stridsvogn)]]
[[pl:Patton (czołg podstawowy)]]
[[pt:Patton (tanque)]]
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M48 Patton

2008-06-16T06:35:25Z

222.254.82.92: /* Operators */

{{Infobox Weapon
|name=M48 Patton
|image=[[Image:M48A1-Patton-tank.jpg|300px]]
|caption=
|origin=[[United States]]
|type=[[Main battle tank]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|service= 1950s - 1990s (USA)
|used_by=
|wars= [[Vietnam War]], [[Six Day War]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], [[Iran-Iraq War]]
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer= M48: [[Chrysler]], [[Fisher Tank Arsenal]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date= M48: 1952 - 1959
|number= M48: ~12,000
|variants= Many, see [[M48 Patton#Variants|the variants section]]
|weight=M48: 45 [[tonne]]s (44.2 tons) combat ready
|length=9.3 m (30.22')
|width=3.65 m (11.86')
|height=3.1 m (10.07')
|crew=4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
|armour=120 mm (4.89")
|primary_armament= [[90 mm gun]] T54; M48A5 and later variants: 105 mm [[Royal Ordnance L7|M68]] gun
|secondary_armament=.50 in (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 Machine gun]] .3 in (7.62 mm) [[M73 Machine gun]]
|engine= [[Continental Motors|Continental]] [[Continental AV1790|AVDS-1790-5B]] [[V12]] aircooled, twin turbocharged gas engine (early M48s) 810 hp (604 kW)
Continental AVDS-1790-2 V12 air cooled, twin turbocharged diesel
|engine_power=750 hp
|transmission=General Motors CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
|fuel_capacity=757 litres (200 gals)
|pw_ratio=16.6 hp/tonne
|suspension=torsion bar
|clearance=
|vehicle_range=463 km (287 miles)
|speed=48 km/h (29.8 mph)
}}

The '''M48 Patton''' was one of the [[United States Army|U.S army]]'s principal [[main battle tank]]s of the [[Cold War]], with models in service from the early 1950s to the 1990s. The M48 was the U.S. Army and Marine Corps primary tank during the Vietnam War. It was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, especially other NATO countries. The tank belongs to the [[Patton tank|Patton family]] of tanks, named after [[General]] [[George S. Patton]], commander of the U.S. Third Army during [[World War II]] and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the [[M47 Patton]] tank.

The M48 Patton tank was designed to replace the previous M47 Pattons and [[M4 Sherman]]s. Although largely resembling the M47, the M48 Patton was a completely new tank design despite a rough similarity from a distance. Some M48A5 models served well into the 80s. Internationally, many various M48 Patton models remain in service. The M48 was the last American tank to mount the 90mm tank gun, and in fact later models were upgraded to carry the new standard weapon of 105mm.

==History==
[[Image:M48-marines-vietnam.gif|250px|thumb|left|
Marines of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, riding on an M48A3 tank, Vietnam, 1966.]]
A year after the M47 entered service, the US Army decided to replace it by yet another product of the evolution of the Pershing/Patton line, the '''M48''', still dubbed Patton. A deeper modernization than the M46 and the M47, the M48 featured a new turret, new redesigned hull and an improved suspension. The hull machine gunner position was removed, reducing the crew to 4. Essentially, it was a new tank altogether.

Nearly 12,000 M48s were built from 1952 to 1959. The early designs were powered by gasoline engines which gave the tank a short operating range and were prone to catching fire when hit. This version was considered unreliable but numerous examples saw combat use in various Arab-Israeli conflicts. They also were prone to fire when the turret was penetrated and the hydraulic lines ruptured spewing "cherry juice" (the nickname for the red fluid) at high pressure into the crew compartment resulting in a fireball. The flashpoint was too low at less than 300 F, causing many burn injuries and deaths to crew members. In 1959, American M48s were upgraded to the M48A3 model which featured a diesel power plant. However, in 1975, M48's with gas engines were still in use by many West German Army units including the 124th Panzer Battalion.

===M48A5===
In the mid-1970s, the M48A5 upgrade was developed to allow the vehicle to carry the heavier 105mm gun. This was designed to bring the M48s up to speed with the [[M60 Patton|M60]] tanks then in regular use. Most of the M48s were placed into service with reserve units by this time.

By the mid-1990s, the M48s were phased out of U.S. service. However, many foreign countries continued to use the M48 models.

==Combat service==
=== Vietnam ===
[[Image:M48tank-USMarines-Vietnam.jpg|thumb|300px|left|U.S. Marines riding atop an M48 tank, Vietnam, April 1968.]]
The M48s saw action during the [[Vietnam War]]. Some were assigned to U.S. Marine Corps units, arriving in Vietnam in 1965. Others were in three U.S. Army battalions, the 1/77th Armor near the DMZ, the 1/69th Armor in the Central Highlands, and the 2/34th Armor near the Mekong Delta. Each battalion consisted of approximately fifty seven tanks. M48s were also used by armored cavalry squadrons in Vietnam, until replaced by [[M551]] Sheridan tanks. The M67A1 [[flamethrower]] tank (nicknamed the [[Zippo]]) was an M48 variant used in Vietnam.

The M48s performed admirably{{Fact|date=November 2007}} in Vietnam in the infantry-support role. There were few actual tank versus tank battles. One was between the 1/69th Armor and [[Vietnam People's Army|NVA]] [[PT-76]] tanks near Ben Het in 1969. The M48s provided adequate protection for its crew from small arms, mines, and [[rocket-propelled grenade|RPGs]].

M48s were the only vehicles in Vietnam that could reasonably protect their crews from land mines. They were often used for minesweeping operations along Highway 19 in the [[Central Highlands]], a two lane paved road between [[An Khe]] and [[Pleiku]]. Daily convoys moved both ways along Highway 19. These convoys were held up each morning while the road was swept for mines. At that time, minesweeping was done by soldiers walking slowly over the dirt shoulders of the highway with hand-held mine detectors. During this slow process, convoys would build up to a dangerously inviting target for the enemy. As a result a faster method was improvised. One M48 lined up on each side of the road, with one track on the dirt shoulder and the other track on the asphalt; then they raced to a designated position miles away. If M48s made it without striking a mine, the road was clear and the convoys could proceed. In most cases, an M48 that struck a land mine in these operations only lost a road wheel or two in the explosion; seldom was there any hull damage which would be considered "totaling" the tank.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

=== Indo-Pakistani Wars ===
M47s and M48s were again used in tank warfare by the [[Pakistan Army]] against [[Indian Army]]'s [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] and M4 Sherman tanks in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] with some good results. In the [[Rann of Kutch]] the tanks proved surprisingly nimble in marshy terrain, and Pakistani forces drove back Indian incursions. In [[Kashmir]] and [[Punjab region|Punjab]], the tank had its first real test. During ''Operation Grandslam'', Pakistani tank forces broke through the Indian lines very quickly, and defeated armored counterattacks. The Pakistanis used approximately a division worth of tanks though not all were Pattons. The Patton failed to live up to expectations in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]], where elements of the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division attacked an entrenched Indian position, and many Pattons were destroyed and captured. The Pattons had a better outing in the [[Battle of Chawinda]] where they destroyed many Indian tanks. They were used with success by 25th Cavalry during its famous stand on the first day of that battle.<ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/index.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>

The Patton was later used by Pakistan in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], with mixed results. In a repetition of 1965, Pattons spearheaded the Pakistani advance through Chamb, and the Patton was the main Pakistani tank at Shakarghar. In the latter battle, a brigade of tanks (the Changez Force) successfully resisted the Indian advance, in a repeat of Chawinda. However, in what became known as Pakistan's [[Charge of the Light Brigade]], a counterattack led by 13th Lancers and 31st Cavalry was mauled by the Indian 54th Division around [[Battle of Barapind].However, the objectives set were achieved.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of the Pakistan Army |last=Cloughy |first=Brian |isbn=970-0-19-547334-6 }}</ref> India set up a war memorial named "''Patton Nagar''" ("Patton Town") in [[Khemkaran]] District, where the captured Pakistani Patton tanks are displayed.

Analyzing their performance, the Pakistani Army held that the Patton was held in unreasonably high esteem by both sides and that tactics were to blame for the debacle at Asal Uttar and Basantar. <ref>[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/tanks/patton.html Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info]</ref>. However, a U.S. study of the battles in South Asia concluded that the Patton's armor could in fact be penetrated by the 84mm [[Ordnance QF 20 pounder|20 pounder gun]] of the Centurion and the 75mm gun of the [[AMX-13]].

===Middle East===

M48s were also used with mixed results during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]]. On the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] front, [[Israel]]i M48s were used with stunning success against [[Egypt]]ian [[T-54]]s and [[T-34]]s supplied by the [[Soviet Union]]. However, on the [[West Bank]] front, [[Jordan]]ian M48s were regularly defeated by Israeli WWII-era M4 Shermans (upgunned with 105mm guns), the result of superior Israeli tactics and crews. In pure technical terms the Jordanian Pattons were far superior to the Israeli Shermans, with Israeli shots at more than 1,000 meters simply glancing off the M48s' armor. Other reasons for the Jordanian Pattons' failure on the West Bank were Israeli [[air superiority]] and a distinct lack of aggressive handling by the Jordanian crews. The Israeli Army captured about 100 Jordanian M48 and M48A1 tanks and pressed them into service in their own units after the war.

M48s were used by the [[Lebanese Army]] and the Christian [[Lebanese Forces]] militia in the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. The Lebanese Army still operates about 100 M48s. In 2007, during the [[2007 North Lebanon conflict]] Lebanese Army M48s shelled militant outposts in a refugee camp. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3402989,00.html]

M48s were used, along with M47s, in the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] in July and August 1974.

==Variants==
===U.S. variants===
[[Image:M48 Patton Tank on display.jpg|thumb|right|200px|M48 Patton]]
*'''M48''' - Differed from the M47 in having yet another new turret design and a redesigned hull, doing away with the bow machine gun position, featuring the M41 90 mm gun. These turrets give the M48 its distinctive non-M26 style look. Originally the gun featured a Y-shape muzzle brake, but this was changed to the more characteristic T-shape.
**'''M48C''' - Over a hundred original production hulls were found to be lacking correct ballistic protection and were relegated to training as the M48C.
*'''M48A1''' - New driver hatch and M1 commander's cupola, allowing the M2HB .50 caliber machine gun to be operated and reloaded from within the vehicle.
*'''M48A2''' - improved powerpack and transmission, redesigned rear plate, an improved turret control.
**'''M48A2C''' - M48A2s with an improved rangefinder, M17, new ballistic drive and bore evacuator for the main gun, and the auxiliary tensioning wheels were deleted.
*'''M48A3''' - Refit of M48A1s with diesel engines and a new fire control system.
**'''M48A3 Mod. B''' - Additional armor on the exhausts and tail lights, and a raised commanders cupola.
*'''M48A4''' - Proposed refit of M48A3s with M60 turrets, scrapped with the need of these previous "surplus" turrets with the failure of the M60A2
*'''M48A5''' - Upgunned with the 105 mm M68 gun.
**'''M48A5PI''' - M1 cupola replaced by the Israeli Urdan model.
[[Image:Marineflametank1968.jpg|thumb|An M67 "Zippo" tank of the U.S.M.C. during the Vietnam war.]]
*'''M67 "Zippo"''' - M48 armed with a flamethrower inside a dummy model of the main gun with fake muzzle brake.
**'''M67A1''' - M67 variant, M48A2 hulls used.
**'''M67A2''' - M67 variant, M48A3 hulls used.

===Specialized variants===
*'''[[M88 Recovery Vehicle|M88 Hercules]]''' - [[Armored recovery vehicle]] based on M48 chassis.

''Additional equipment'':
*'''M8''' - Bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48.
**'''M8A1''' - Improved bulldozer and earthmoving equipment for the M48

===British variant===
*'''[[M48 Marksman]]''' - a SPAAG version, equipped with a Marksman turret.

===Israeli variants===
Israel created an extensive number of variants of the series from tanks acquired initially from a number of sources, including capturing them in battle, or from other countries such as Germany and the United States.
Many of the Israeli M48's have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor, drastically improving their armor protection. These uparmored versions are called [[Magach]].

*'''[[E-48]]'''
**'''E-48 AVLB''' - a M48 AVLB but with an Israeli bridge.
**'''E-48 (M48A2)''' - basically unmodified M48A2 from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A2C)''' - basically unmodified M48A2C from Germany
**'''E-48 (M48A3)''' - basically unmodified M48A3 from USA
*'''[[Magach]]''' - a series of improved Israeli versions of the M48 and the M60.

===Jordanian variants===
*'''AB1''' - Jordanian armoured recovery vehicle.
*'''AB9B1''' - Jordanian upgrade with 120 mm smoothbore gun.

=== Taiwanese variants===
*'''M48H/CM-11 "Brave Tiger"''' - Taiwanese version consisting of an up-gunned M48A2 turret and a M60A3 hull and fitted with [[Explosive reactive armor|ERA]]. Also has significant upgrades to the gun tracking equipment and fire control.
*'''CM-12 ''' - M48A3 MBT receiving the same weapons and fire control upgrades as those of CM-11.

=== Hellenic variants ===

*'''M48A5 MOLF''' - The [[Hellenic Army]] has added the EMES-18 FCS to their M48A5, denumerating them as “MOLF” for Modular Laser Fire Control System.

===Spanish variants===
*'''M48A5E''' - M48A5 variant, 105 mm gun with laser rangefinder.
*'''Alacran CZ-10/25E''' - Spanish army combat engineer variant. (M-60.A1)
**'''Alacran CZ-10/30E''' - Upgraded CZ-10/25E. (M-60.A1)

===South Korean variants===
*'''M48A5K''' - Fitted with M68 105mm gun, additional Side skirt, and significant fire control upgrades. FCS was Called LTFCS system.

*'''M48A3K''' - M48A3K shifts the gasoline engine previously with the diesel engine, the muzzle brake was fitted 'T' form brake, added 3 support wheel and the fitted tank commander periscope on Turret, and M48A3K in M48A3 additionally to improve a smoke grenade launcher affix and a fire control system from Republic of Korea

===Turkish variants===
*'''M48A5T1''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant along similar lines to the M48A5, with M68 105 mm main armament, passive night vision and MTU diesel engines.
*'''M48A5T2''' - Turkish-upgraded M48 variant, improved version of the M48A5T1 with thermal sight and laser rangefinder.
*'''M48T5 "Tamay" ARV''' - Turkish-designed armored recovery vehicle based on the M48 body.

===German variants===
[[Image:Wik.Los 003.jpg|thumb|M 48 of the German Home Defense Forces in 1985]]
*'''Minenraeumpanzer Keiler''' - armored mine clearing vehicle based on a widely modified M48 A2C cast hull. (Still in service)
*'''Kampfpanzer M48 A2C''' - replaced the Kampfpanzer M47 since the end of the fifties and saw service with the ''Home Defense Forces'' in reserve units until the early nineties
*'''Kampfpanzer M48A2GA2''' - upgraded version with the 105mm L7 cannon and a different [[MG3]] installation from the [[Leopard (tank)|Leopard 1]]. Out of service in the early nineties
*'''Super M48''' - upgraded version M48.<ref>[http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/superm48.htm Super M48]</ref>

==Operators==

*{{GRE}} - 390 M48A5 MOLF, 228 M48 A5 (Retiring)
*{{IRN}} - 80
*{{ISR}} - 561 [[Magach|Magach 5 Golan]] <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/army-equipment.htm Israel - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{JOR}} - 200
*{{KOR}} - 850 M48A5K <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/army-equipment.htm Republic of Korea - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{LBN}} - 104 M48A1 and M48A5
*{{TRNC}} - 235 <ref>''Turkey: A Country Study'', p.350. Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1419191268</ref>
*{{PAK}} - 345 M48A5
*{{ROC}} ([[Taiwan]]) - 450 CM-11, 100 CM-12 <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/army-inventory.htm Taiwan - Army Equipment]</ref>
*{{THA}} - 150
*{{TUN}} - 28
*{{TUR}} - 525 M48A5, 250 M48T5, 1350 M48A5T1 and 750 M48A5T2

===Former Operators===

*{{MAR}} - 224 M48A5
*{{NOR}} - 38 M48A5
*{{POR}} - 86 M48A5
*{{ESP}} - 164 M48A5E
*{{USA}}
*{{FRG}}
*{{PHI}} - M48
*{{flag|South Vietnam}} - 20 (passed on to [[Socialist Republic of Vietnam]])
*{{VIE}}

==Tank Trivia==
*The M47 and M48 were the only tanks to be the primary MBT of both the United States and West Germany.
*The M48 was the last U.S. tank to have a dedicated flame thrower version.
*There is a town named ''Patton Nagar'' in India where the Pakistani M48 Patton tanks captured during the [[Indo-Pakistani wars]] are displayed.

==See also==
*[[T54]]
*[[M46 Patton]]
*[[M47 Patton]]
*[[M60 Patton]]
*[[M103 heavy tank]]
*[[List of armoured fighting vehicles]]

==References and notes==
{{Reflist}}
*Steven J Zaloga, Tony Bryan, Jim Laurier - "''M26–M46 Pershing Tank 1943–1953''", 2000 Osprey Publishing (New Vanguard 35), ISBN 1-84176-202-4.
*Keith W. Nolan "''Into Lao's, Operation Lam Son 719 and Dewey Canyon II''" 1986. Presidio Press. Account of the US Army's final offensive of the Vietnam War.
*Abraham Rabinovich - "''The Battle for Jerusalem June 5-7, 1967''", 2004 Sefer Ve Sefer Publlishing, Jerusalem, ISBN 965-7287-07-3

==External links==
{{commons|Patton tank}}
* [http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html AFV Database: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m48.htm GlobalSecurity.org: M48 Patton]
* [http://www.patton-mania.com/ Patton-Mania]

[[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks]]
[[Category:Military equipment of the Republic of China]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Turkey]]
[[Category:Tanks of Israel]]

[[bg:М48 Патън]]
[[de:Patton (Panzer)]]
[[el:M47 Patton]]
[[fr:Char M48]]
[[id:M48 Patton]]
[[it:M47 Patton]]
[[he:פטון (טנק)]]
[[ja:M48 (戦車)]]
[[no:Patton (stridsvogn)]]
[[pl:Patton (czołg podstawowy)]]
[[pt:Patton (tanque)]]
[[ru:M48 (танк)]]
[[fi:M48 Patton]]
[[tr:Patton tankı]]
[[nl:M48 Patton]]
[[zh:M48巴頓]]