Variants of the M113 armored personnel carrier

For more details on this topic, see M113 armored personnel carrier.

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 in many roles.

Australia

Some Australian AFVs have the suffix "AS" often appended by a model number, the "AS" is a NATO code for Australia. Generally speaking Australian models are modified from the original models, in the case of the M113A1 series this included the AN/VIC-1 communications harness, large dust filters for the passenger compartment ventilation blower, heavy steel track manufactured by ADI, provision for 600 kg of belly armor, the Cadillac-Gage T-50 turret mounting twin .30 Brownings(early service) or a .30/.50 Brownings machine guns for APC/LRV versions, a traverse bar to prevent the crew commander traversing the turret to the rear over the troop compartment roof hatch with the guns depressed low. For some reason all versions of the M113A1 had the passenger compartment heaters removed except the M577A1 command vehicle. In the late 80s the fleet was issued with German BM8005 image intensifying night vision driving periscopes, which with the aid of an adaptor, could be fitted to replace the driver's central periscope for night driving. In the early 90s the fleet was issued with VINSON family cipher equipment, typically a single KY-57 per vehicle. This allowed the command net to be enciphered, but the admin net would normally work en clair.

• M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) - Full designation Carrier, Fire Support, Full Track M113A1 (FS) Saladin Turret was a variant fitted with the turret from the Alvis Saladin armored car. The FSV was introduced into Australian Army units in the mid-1960s following the withdrawal of the Saladins and was armed with a 76mm gun, a .30 caliber coaxial machine gun and a .30 caliber machine gun mounted on the roof of the vehicle's turret. The M113 was an interim vehicle and was replaced by the M113 Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle in the late 1970s. It was commonly referred to by Royal Australian Armoured Corps crews as the "Beast".
• M113 Fitter - Armored recovery vehicle with HIAB (Hydrauliska Industri AB) crane on hull roof.
• M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle/APC - A standard M113A1 with a Cadillac Gage T50 turret as used on the V100/V150 series of armored cars, mounting two Browning machine guns, a .30 caliber and a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. While the standard armored personnel carrier version in Australian service is also fitted with the T50 turret it initially carried only twin .30 caliber machine guns. In later service the LRV and APC versions both carried the 30/50 combination and the only difference between them was roles. LRVs were used in sabre (recon) troops of the Cavalry regiment and the recon troop of the Armoured regiment. They carried a crew of 2 or 3 (crew commander, driver and sometimes operator/observer). APCs carried a crew of 2 and dismounts, either infantry, assault troops, engineers or other troops. In practise an LRV was also perfectly capable of carrying troops, though in perhaps somewhat more cramped conditions as LRVs often carried additional stores and ammunition and had seats removed and replaced with storage lockers. For a short period of time in Vietnam the Aircraft Armaments Incorporated Model 74C Cupola/Command Station was used, but it was quickly replaced by the T50. Also used by the New Zealand Army until the M113 was replaced in 2005. The T50 turret was initially fitted with an optical sight, however in later years this was removed and the guns were solely aimed using raging bursts of 6-10 rounds (2 tracer). The diesel burning heater is removed from the M113A1 - though numerous diggers note that this is not the case with the Australian Army's M577s (command post vehicles).
• M113A1 Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle (MRV) - Full designation Carrier, Fire Support, Full Track M113A1 (FS) Scorpion Turret was an Australian variant similar to the M113 FSV, but using the turret from the FV101 Scorpion light tank, instead of the older turret of the Saladin armoured car, that the FSV had previously used. This turret was equipped with an Image Intensifier sight for the main armanent. This II sight was the first effective passive night sight fitted to an Australian AFV, giving the MRVs a night fighting capability exceeding the Leopard AS1 and all other Australian AFVs of the period. Whilst fully amphibious, the MRV was also fitted with a light sheet metal foam filled trim vane and side pods. These pods and the trim vane were intended to provide additional flotation and stability ion the water, they provided virtually no additional armour protection. Other changes include a modified drivers hatch with pivoted toward the centre line of the vehicle instead of opening to the rear of the drivers hatch, this feature preventing the open drivers hatch being caught of the traversing turret, as well as the fitting of the British "boiling vessel" an electric vessel for boiling water and heating rations. As indicated by the designation change the MRVs were roled as reconnaissance vehicles and issued to the Cavalry (medium reconnaissance) regiments whereas the FSVs were originally issued to APC squadrons and used to provide infantry fire support.

The MRV replaced the FSV in Australian service

• M113AS3 - significantly upgraded M113 with new engine, drive train and brakes.
• M113AS4 - upgraded to the same standard as the AS3, lengthened to fit an additional road wheel station and fitted with a new Tenix Defence designed one-man turret with a heavy machine gun.

Australian M113A1 FSV.

Australian M113 MRV.

Australian "Scorpion" M113A1 FSV

M113 Fitter

M113A1, T50 turret

An M113AS4

Belgium

BMF from Belgium has built the M113A1 with some modifications (suspension of M113A2, NBC protection system etc.) under license as the M113A1-B. The Belgian army received 525 vehicles from 1982.

• M113A1-B-ATK - Basic APC version with M2HB .50cal machine gun. This type is no longer used and most have been modified into new versions.
• M113A1-B-Amb - Ambulance with room for 4 litters. This type is unarmed but is fitted with six 76mm smoke grenade launchers.
• M113A1-B-CP - Command post vehicle that retains the low roofline of the basic version.
• M113A1-B-ENG - Squad vehicle for combat engineers. Some of those 113 delivered are fitted with an hydraulic dozerblade.
• M113A1-B-TRG - Driver trainer.
• M113A1-B-MIL - Tank hunter with pintle-mounted MILAN and two 71mm Lyran mortars. All 56 vehicles have been modified into artillery FO vehicles.
• M113A1-B-Mor - The original version was used to carry the 4.2" mortar M30 but all 35 vehicles have been upgraded to tow the 120mm Thompson-Brandt mortar MO-120-RT.
• M113A1-B-MT - Maintenance vehicle with folding work table on the right rear.
• M113A1-B-MTC - Maintenance vehicle with hydraulic HIAB crane. Similar to the M579.
• M113A1-B-Rec - recovery vehicle with heavy internal winch. Similar to M806.
• M113A1-B-SCB - Carrier vehicle for mast-mounted battlefield surveillance (Surveillance de Champ de Bataille) radar EL/M-2130A.
• M113A1-B-TACP - Modified command post vehicle for dedicated TACP missions.
• M113A1-B-VW - Former MILAN carrier that is now used by artillery forward observers. It retains the .50cal machine gun on the 3rd cupola behind the driver, but the commander's cupola has the MILAN post replaced by a portable laser range finder MLR-N61.

Canada

• ADATS Carrier (Air Defence Anti-Tank System) – Air-defence vehicle variant, developed collaboratively between Lockheed Martin and Oerlikon Contraves, first fielded by the Canadian Forces in 1988. System features a turret with an 8 ADATS missile launcher based on M113A2 based chassis. On top of the turret is an X-band radar with a range of 25 km. Currently only used by the Canadian Forces. Missile evaluated by US Army (LOS-F-H program), not selected for adoption.
• M113A2 TUA (TOW Under Armour) - Canadian version of the NM142 anti-tank vehicle. Very similar to the Norwegian version but with external fuel tanks.
• M113A2 EVSEV (Engineering Variant Specially Equipped Vehicle) - Variant of the M113A2 for engineer units. Fitted with a front-mounted dozer blade, hydraulic ground auger and hydraulic power tools.
• M113A2 Mk 1 DAREOD (Damaged Airfield Reconnaissance Explosive Ordnance Disposal) - EOD variant of the M113A2 Mk 1 with 265 hp Detroit Diesel engine. This type is equipped with a 1-man turret, additional search lights and Pearson mine-clearing equipment.
• MRT/IS MRT
• ROFCS
• M113 APCLE (APC Life Extension) - Under the APCLE program, 341 Canadian M113A2 series vehicles will be refurbished: 183 will be the stretched MTVL version (6 road wheels) and the remaining 158 will be vehicles upgraded to the M113A3 (retaining 5 road wheels). Modifications include more powerful engines, upgraded suspension, bolt-on steel armour plates and/or steel cage armour, and improved armament consisting of either a Cadillac-Gage 1 metre turret or a remote weapon station.
• Lynx reconnaissance vehicle

M113 APCLE in Afghanistan with cage armor, 2010.

Germany

In German service, the M113 and M113A1 were known as respectively M113G and M113A1G. Most of them were later upgraded to A2 standard and got the new designator M113A2 GE. Those vehicles that were fitted with external fuel tanks and the new SEM-80/90 radioset are known as M113A2 EFT GE A0. Under the NDV-2 program, some vehicles had been fitted with a new MTU engine, new steering and brake systems etc. German M113s often have a bank of eight 76mm smoke grenade dischargers at the front of the vehicle, and are armed with Rheinmetall MG3s instead of the more common M2 .50 caliber machine gun. The German Army uses the type not only as APC (MTW - Mannschaftstransportwagen) but in many different specialized roles:

• Fahrschulpanzer - Driver trainer.
• FlgLtPz - (Fliegerleitpanzer) - Vehicle for forward air controllers (FAC). (discharged)
• RiFuMuxPz - (Trägerfahrzeug Richtfunk Multiplex) - Direction finding station (discharged)
• SchrFuTrpPz VHF-HF - (Schreibfunktrupppanzer) - Signals vehicle.
• TrFzRechnVbuArt - (Trägerfahrzeug Rechner-Verbund Artillerie) - Artillery computer vehicle.
• FüFlSt - (Führungs-Feuerleitstelle) - Fire direction center for artillery units, equipped with the PzH 2000.
• BeobPzArt (Beobachtungspanzer Artillerie) - Artillery forward observer vehicle with raised roofline and PERI D-11 periscope. (discharged)
• FltPzArt (Feuerleitpanzer Artillerie) - Artillery fire direction vehicle.
• FltPzMrs (Feuerleitpanzer Mörser) - Fire direction vehicle for mortar units. (discharged)
• FüFuPz (Führungs- und Funkpanzer) - Signals and command vehicle. (discharged)
• KrKw (Krankenkraftwagen) - Ambulance. (to be displaced by Boxer MRAV)
• PzMrs (Panzermörser) - Mortar carrier with Tampella 120mm and 63 rounds. (discharged)
• TrFz ABRA (Trägerfahrzeug) - Carrier vehicle for DR-PC 1a RATAC radar. (to be displaced by BÜR (ground surveillance radar system, based on Dingo 2))
• TrFz Green Archer (Trägerfahrzeug) - Carrier vehicle for Green Archer artillery location radar. (discharged)
• Waran - Upgrade developed by FFG. Has the same improvement as the NDV-2 versions, but is additionally fitted with a longer hull and improved suspension with 6 road wheels on each side. Also known as M113 King Size.

German Army Mortar carrier with NDV-2.

Egypt

• EIFV - Features an enlarged chassis with improved armor, a more powerful engine, and the addition of M2 Bradley turrets. The vehicle carries a crew of three and six dismount soldiers.
• Uparmored M113 (also known as SIFV) - Basically an M113 fitted with an armor upgrade kit produced in Egypt, allowing the M113 to withstand up to 23 mm armor-piercing rounds, without affecting the vehicle's mobility or amphibious capability. The weight of the additional armor is about 950 kg and within the vehicle permissible load and equipped with the 25 mm KBA-B02 turret. This armor upgrade can also be fitted to variants such as the AIFV or the above-mentioned EIFV.

Israel

• Bardehlas (Hebrew for cheetah) - Israeli designation of the M113 APC. The name is rarely used, the M113 is usually referred to as Nagmash (APC).
• Zelda - Upgraded Bardehlas (M113) with Toga armor suite - perforated steel plates mounted on an external frame around the front and sides of the vehicle. A special command version with additional radio equipment and auxiliary power unit also exists. The command version is usually referred to as Nagmash pikud (command APC).
• Classical or Zelda 2 - M113 equipped with reactive armor and armored shields around roof hatches. Was introduced in mid-1990s and saw action in the Southern Lebanon security zone. The added weight of armor led to limited mobility and reliability problems and the vehicle was eventually removed from service.
• Nagman - M113 equipped with Toga armor suite, hexagonal superstructure around the commander's hatch and armored shields on the sides of the rear roof hatch.
• Kasman (Kesem ha-Mangina – The Charm of Music) - An urban warfare / counter insurgency version developed during the Al-Aqsa Intifada. Equipped with Toga armor suite and big armored superstructure around the roof hatches.
• Kasman Magen or Kasman Meshupar - Upgraded Kasman with modified superstructure and external fuel tanks.
• Giraf - M113 with TOW launcher.
• Hovet, also spelled Chovet - Israeli designation for the M163 VADS.
• Machbet - An Israeli upgrade of the M163 VADS. In addition to the 20 mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon, armed with 4-tubes FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher.
• Hatap, also spelled Chatap - A field repair vehicle for carrying spare part and equipment specific to the vehicles its tasked to support.
• Mugaf - Israeli designation of the M577 command post carrier.
• Alfa - Israeli designation of the M548 cargo carrier.
• Shilem - Unarmored vehicle equipped with EL-M-2310 radar for artillery forces.
• M113 AMEV - Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle. A specifically modified and equipped M113 for use as an armored ambulance.
• M113 HVMS - A prototype armed with a HVMS 60 mm gun in a turret.
• M113 L-VAS - A prototype equipped with Light Vehicle Armour System (L-VAS).
• Urban Fighter - IMI developed modification, with upgraded "Iron Wall" armor, capable of repelling IED and EFP attacks.
• Keshet - 120 mm mortar carrier.

Shilem radar vehicle.

Keshet mortar carrier.

Italy

• Arisgator - Italian company Aris, has developed a full Amphibious version of M113 called Arisgator. This version carries the same amount of troops as the normal M113. photo
• VCC-1 - Oto Melara 7 passengers improved XM765 ( M113A1 ) with rear and side sloped armor, firing ports, Browning M2 shields and smoke-grenade launchers; 600 to 800 produced
• VCC-2 - Oto Melara VCC-1 improved version without rear sloped armor (11 passengers); 1100 to 1300 produced
• VTC-9
• M113 CESV
• SIDAM 25 - A Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon

Norway

• NM135 (Stormpanservogn) - Norwegian variant of the M113A1 with a 20mm Rheinmetall MK2020 machine cannon with 7.62mm coaxial machine gun in a turret. The 20mm gun had a firing rate of about 900 rounds/min.
  • NM135F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
• NM142 (Rakettpanserjager) - Anti-tank variant of the M113A2 used by the Norwegian army, equipped with the Armoured Launching Turret, developed in Norway by Kvaerner Eureka. The ALT contains a TOW-2 guided anti-tank missile system with one launch tube on either side of the turret. Additionally, mounted on the commander's hatch, there is an Rheinmetall MG3 machine gun for use as secondary armament and in situations where the TOW-2 system is unsuitable.
  • NM142F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
• NM194 (Ildlederpanservogn, luftvern) - M113A2 air-defense command vehicle.
• NM195 (Luftvernpanservogn) - M113A2 air-defense variant with RBS-70.
• NM196 (Hjelpeplasspanservogn) - Medical treatment version of M577A2.
  • NM196F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
  • NM196F3 - Version with upgraded driveline, caterpillar engine, add-on armor and redesigned interior/treatment facilities
• NM197 (Replagspanservogn) - Armored maintenance vehicle, based on the M113A2.
• NM198 (Kommandopanservogn) - Modified command variant of the M577A2.
  • NM198F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
• NM199 (Transportpanservogn) - New designator for modified M548A1.
• NM200 (Ambulansepanservogn) - Ambulance version of M113A2.
  • NM200F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
  • NM200F3 - Version with upgraded driveline, caterpillar engine, add-on armor and redesigned interior/treatment facilities
• NM201 (Ildlederpanservogn, artilleri) - M113A2-based vehicle for artillery forward observers. This variant is fitted with the VINTAQS observation system on a 2m mast. It consists of a thermal camera, VingRange laser range finder, VingEye CCD-camera and GPS.
  • NM201F1 - Version with additional spall-liners, based on the M113X3.
• NM202 (Ledelsespanservogn) - Command variant of the M113A2.
  • NM202F1 - Version with additional spall-liners, based on the M113X3.
• NM203 (Bombekaster KO panservogn)
• NM204 (Bombekasterpanservogn 81MM) - Upgrade of the M125A2 mortar carrier.
• NM205 (Stormingeniørpanservogn) - Variant of the M113A2 for combat engineers, fitted with mine clearing rollers or ploughs.
  • NM205F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
  • NM205F3 - Version with additional spall-liners, mine protection, additional passive armor and new power-pack.
• NM209 (Panservogn, personnel) - Modified APC, based on the M113A2.
• NM216 (TADKOM-knutepunktvogn) - Signals vehicle.

Philippines

• M113 FSV - Philippine Army variant of the M113 fitted with the 76 mm low pressure gun turret of the FV101 Scorpion.

Portugal

The Portuguese Army operates 150 (of 180 delivered) in the A1 e A2 variants of the basic M113 armored personnel carrier (M113 A1/2 M/76 a 90, or simply, M113). Besides the M113 APC, the Portuguese Army operates, 107 mm mortar carriers, self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems, TOW anti-tank guided missile tank destroyers, ambulance, command and communications variants of M113.

• M577A2 (M577) - The Portuguese Army has operated 47 M577A2 Command Post Carriers, the first ones, were received in late 70s. Currently 39 M577A2 are in service:
  • M577A2 M/81 ACP (M577) - 36 in service, as command vehicles.
  • M577A2 M/85 Ambulance (M577) - 3 in service, as ambulance vehicles.
• M730 / M48A3 (Chaparral) - The Portuguese Army has operated 30 M730 self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems, today it operates 25 vehicles. In service with the Portuguese Army since 1990. Portugal has received initially 30 M730 in the A2 variant and afterwards 4 vehicles in the A3 variant.
• M901 ITV (M901/TOW) - The Portuguese Army has received 4 M901 ITV in 1990 which are still in service. Similar vehicles were made by the Portuguese Army, using the M113A2 APC and the M220 TOW launcher, 30 of these combinations were produced, the major difference between both variants, was in the fact that these vehicles only had 1 missile launcher versus the original vehicle had 2.

Singapore

• M113A2 Ultra IFV - Originally an M113A1, upgraded to A2 standard and modernized by ST Kinetics with cupola mounted 40mm AGL/0.5-inch HMG twin weapon station, or the Rafael Overhead Weapon Station with M242 Bushmaster 25 mm caliber cannons plus improved armor. Used by the Singapore Army.
• M113A2 Ultra Mechanised Igla - same as the above but armed with 4 ready to fire Igla SAMs and are configured for the role of short range air defense (SHORAD). The Integrated fire unit (IFU) is equipped with an advance fire control radar while the Weapon fire unit (WFU) version is radarless but can be cued by the fire control radar of the former. Used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

The M113A2 Ultra - Mechanised Igla Integrated fire unit (IFU).

RSAF M113A2 Ultra - Mechanised Igla Integrated fire unit (IFU). Note the mast mounted fire control radar.

RSAF M113A2 Ultra - Mechanised Igla Weapon fire unit (WFU).

M113A2 Ultra Mechanised Igla.JPG

Comparison of profile between Mechanised Igla IFU & WFU.

South Vietnam

• M113 w/ M8 turret - The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN; South Vietnamese Army) fitted a small number of M113 armored personnel carriers with turrets taken from obsolete M8 Greyhound armored cars.

Switzerland

Schützenpanzer 63/89.

• Schützenpanzer 63 - Designation of the basic M113A1 in Swiss service.
  • Schützenpanzer 63/73 - Variant of the SPz 63 with front float panel (found on the M113A2), as well as a Swedish Hagglunds turret fitted with an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon Kan 48/73.
  • Schützenpanzer 63/89 - Upgrade of the SPz 63/73 with additional passive armor, 76mm smoke grenade launchers and RISE power-pack.
• Kommando Schützenpanzer 63 - Command vehicle variant with .50cal machine gun.
  • Kommando Schützenpanzer 63/89 - Command version of the SPz 63/89, retains the 20mm gun turret.
• Kranpanzer 63 - Swiss designator for M579.
• Feuerleitpanzer 63 - Improved command vehicle, specifically designed as a fire control center for mobile artillery units.
  • Feuerleitpanzer 63/98 - Upgraded version with INTAFF system (Integriertes Artillerie Führungs- und Feuerleitsystem).
• Geniepanzer 63 - Schützenpanzer 63 fitted with a bulldozer kit.
• Minenwerferpanzer 64 - Swiss variantion of the M106A1 mortar carrier, substituting the Thompson Brandt 120mm mortar for the previously installed weapon. Swiss M106A1's initially had substituted a Thompson Brandt mortar of 81mm type for the standard 4.2"/107mm M30 mortar found on US models.
  • Minenwerferpanzer 64/91 - Upgraded version.
• Minenräumpanzer 63/00 - Mineclearing vehicle, based on the SPz 63/89 and fitted with lightweight mine clearing ploughs. The turret was removed and replaced with an armored work station for the operator.
• Übermittlungspanzer 63 - Signals vehicle.

Taiwan

• CM-21 - a Taiwanese indigenous design based on the M113, with many improvements and design changes to meet Republic of China Army requirements. The size, shape and performance of the CM-21 is almost identical to the M113, but with different engines and transmissions throughout the years. Various variants produced from 1982 to 2009, over 1000 produced.
  • CM-21/A1 - Personnel carrier.
  • CM-22 - Mortar carrier for 107mm/120mm mortar(similar to M106).
  • CM-23 - Mortar carrier for 81mm mortar(similar to M125).
  • CM-24/A1 - Ammo carrier, can carry either 90 rounds of 155mm or 42 rounds 203mm
  • CM-25 - TOW launcher.
  • CM-26 - Command Track(similar to M577)
  • CM-27/A1 - Artillery Tractor

CM-21A Armored Personnel Carrier

CM-22 Mortar Carrier

CM-23 Mortar Carrier

CM-24 Ammo Carrier

CM-26 Armored Command Post Carrier

CM-27 Artillery Tractor

United Kingdom

• Tracked Rapier - quadruple surface to air missile launcher

United States

• XM45/E1: Lightly armored servicing and refueling vehicle for the M132 based on the M548.
• M58: The Wolf Smoke Generator Carrier can produce 90 minutes of visual and 30 minutes of infrared screens.
• XM106/M106: Self-propelled Mortar carrier with 107 mm (4.2 inch) M30 mortar firing through large, circular roof hatch in hull rear. The XM106 was originally known as the T257E1 before the US Army changed their designation system.
  • M106A1: M106 with diesel engine.
  • M106A2: M106A1 with M113A2 improvements.
• M113 AMEV: Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle. A specifically modified and equipped M113 for use as an armored ambulance.
• M125: Mortar carrier similar to M106, but with 81 mm M29 mortar.
• M132 Armored Flamethrower: A full-tracked self-propelled flame thrower carrier, with small turret carrying an M10-8 flamethrower and coaxial M73 machine gun, plus fuel and pressure tanks in rear of hull.
  • M132A1: Modified M113A1s rather than M113s.
• M163: The Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) is an M168 anti-aircraft gun mounted on the M741 carrier.
• M474: Carrier used as Pershing 1 nuclear missile Transporter erector launcher (TEL) and as Warhead Carrier, Programmer Test Station/Power Station carrier and Radio Terminal Set carrier.
• XM546: Guided missile carrier/launcher for the MIM-46 Mauler surface to air missile.
  • XM546E1: Proposed version with lengthened chassis featuring a sixth set of road-wheels.
• XM548/M548: Unarmored 6 ton cargo carrier.
  • XM548E1: Unarmored carrier/launcher for the MIM-72 Chaparral surface-to-air missiles of the M54 system. Redesignated XM730.
• M577: This variant is used as a command vehicle, generally as a tactical operations center (TOC). The passenger compartment is raised to 74.75 in (189.9 cm). The compartment has a commander's hatch with no weapons mount or vision blocks. A tent is carried on the top rear and attaches directly to the rear of the track to provide greater work space. Multiple M577s can be connected via the tents forming a larger operations center. An additional fuel tank is mounted in the right rear of the compartment. Long-range communications is expedited by the use of a hand-cranked extendible antenna system. A 4.2 kW auxiliary power unit (APU) is mounted on the right front of the vehicle to provide 24 volt power. The APU can be dismounted using a davit (crane) carried on board and sandbagged for noise suppression. A single APU can provide power for two M577s. The compartment includes features such as map boards, folding tables, radio, computer terminals and other command and control equipment. This variant is also used as a medical vehicle serving as a battalion aid station ambulance exchange point and a jump aid station.
• M579 Fitter: Repair vehicle.
• M667: MGM-52 Lance missile carrier.
• M688: Lance missile transport/loader vehicle based on the M548.
• XM696: Recovery vehicle based on the M548.
• M727: Unarmored carrier/launcher for the MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles.
• XM730/M730: Unarmored carrier/launcher for the MIM-72 Chaparral surface-to-air missiles of the M54 system. The XM730 was formerly the XM548E1. The complete system is known as the M48.
  • M730A1: M730 with M113A2 improvements.
  • M730A2: M730/A1 with M113A3 Reliability Improvement of Standard Components (RISE) upgrades.
• XM734: Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) prototype. Variant of the standard M113A1 APC with 4 firing ports and vision blocks on each side of the hull.
• XM741/M741: Carrier vehicle for the M163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS).
• M752: MGM-52 Lance missile launcher. M667 with Lance launch fixture.
• XM806/XM806E1: Armored recovery vehicle variant with winch in rear compartment.
• M901 Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV): M113A1 with dual M220A1 launchers for the TOW anti-tank missile.
  • M901A1: M220A2 launcher permitting the use of the TOW 2 anti-tank missile.
  • M901A2: Variant with unknown differences, possibly M901s brought up to M901A1 standard or M901/A1s on the M113A2 chassis.
  • M901A3: Variant based on M113A3.
• M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FISTV): Artillery forward observer vehicle. Equipped with sights and other targeting instrumentation in a turret deliberately designed to resemble that of the M901. The M981 FISTV has been supplanted by the M7 Bradley and M1131 Stryker fire support vehicles.
• M1015 Tracked Electronic Warfare Carrier.
• M1059: Lynx Smoke Generator Carrier (SGC). Uses the M157 Smoke Generator Set (SGS) on the M113A2.
  • M1059A3: M1059 variant using the M157A2 SGS on the M113A3.
• M1064 mortar carrier: equipped with an M121 120 mm mortar as replacement for M106.
• M1068 Standard Integrated Command Post System Carrier: A modification of the M577 Command Post Carrier.
• XM1108 Universal Carrier.
• M113-1/2 Command and Reconnaissance (Lynx): Smaller command and reconnaissance vehicle built by FMC using M113A1 components, with four drive wheels on each side and engine in the rear. Lost out in US competition to the M114, but was employed by the Netherlands and Canada (where it was known as the Lynx).

Main article: Lynx reconnaissance vehicle

• T249 Vigilante: prototype 37 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that never entered service.

M474 TEL background, PTS/PS carrier in foreground.

M548 cargo carrier.

M577 command vehicle.

M727 missile carrier launcher.

M730 SAM carrier.

M752 missile launcher.

M901 ITV.

M1059 smoke generator carrier.

Canadian Lynx reconnaissance vehicle.

Civilian Uses

In 1974, FMC used the M113's drivetrain as a platform for a tracked log skidder.

The skidders use the same 6V53 Detroit Diesel engine and steering gearbox as the M113, but utilized a more heavily-built undercarriage and a 4-speed Clark powershift transmission. The skidder either came as a cable arch model, with a tilting tray to set the logs on (Later on, a hydraulic grapple attachment was offered to fit over the cable fairleads). Or as a Clam-Bunk forwarder, with a Prentice grapple mounted on the roof of the cab. Dealers also modified the base tractor to handle various forestry and utility jobs.

Because of their mobility and light weight, these skidders are often used in steep and swampy terrain, and the most common alternate use is to fit them with water tanks and use them to fight forest fires.

In 1988, FMC sold the manufacturing rights of the skidder to Kootenay Tractor, their main dealer in British Columbia, Canada, who started selling them under the KMC brandname. [1]

An FMC 210CA skidder modified for forest fires