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Variants of the M113 armored personnel carrier

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"M577" redirects here. For the fictional vehicle that appears in the 1986 film Aliens, see Aliens (film).

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.

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.
  • 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.
  • M578: medium capacity recovery vehicle.
  • 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: Armoured 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.
  • 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

Australia

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M113 Armored Personnel Carrier in Australian service.

Australian AFVs have the suffix "AS" often appended by a model number. So the M113AS1 is the 1st model of the M113 as adopted for Australian service.The "AS" is a NATO code for Australia.

Generally speaking Australian models are modified from the original models, in the case of the M113AS1 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 600Kg of belly armour, 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 version of the M113AS1 had the passenger compartment heaters removed except the M577AS1 command vehicle.


  • M113AS1 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) - The M113 FSV was a variant fitted with the turret from the Alvis Saladin armoured 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 calibre coaxial machine gun and a .30 calibre 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 - Armoured recovery vehicle with HIAB (Hydrauliska Industri AB) crane on hull roof.
  • M113AS1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle - A standard M113A1 with a the 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 armoured personnel carrier version in Australian service is also fitted with the T50 turret it carries only a .30 caliber machine gun. 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.
  • M113AS1 Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle (MRV) - Australian variant similar to the M113 FSV, but using the turret from the FV101 Scorpion light tank. 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 designed one-man turret with a heavy machine gun.
  • Australian M113A1 FSV.
    Australian M113A1 FSV.
  • Australian M113 MRV.
    Australian M113 MRV.
  • Australian "Scorpion" M113A FSV
    Australian "Scorpion" M113A FSV
  • A M113AS4
    A M113AS4

Belgium

BMF from Belgium has built the M113A1 with some modifications (suspension of M113A2, NBC protection system etc) under licence 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 Defense Anti-Tank System) – Air-defense vehicle variant, developed collaboratively between Lockheed Martin and Oerlikon Contraves, first fielded by the Canadian Forces in 1988. System features a turret mounted launcher for 8 ADATS 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 programme), 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 DAAREOD (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 programme, 341 Canadian M113 series vehicles will be refurbished, 183 of which will be the streched MTVL version.
  • Lynx reconnaissance vehicle

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 programme, some vehicles will be 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 specilised roles:

  • Fahrschulpanzer - Driver trainer.
  • FlgLtPz - (Fliegerleitpanzer) - Vehicle for forward air controlers (FAC).
  • RiFuMuxPz - (Trägerfahrzeug Richtfunk Multiplex) - Direction finding station
  • SchrFuTrpPz VHF-HF - (Schreibfunktrupppanzer) - Signals vehicle.
  • TrFzRechnVbuArt - (Trägerfahrzeug Rechner-Verbund Artillerie) - Artillery computer vehicle.
  • FüFlSt - (Führungs-Feuerleitstelle) - Fire direction centre for artillery units, equipped with the PzH 2000.
  • BeobPzArt (Beobachtungspanzer Artillerie) - Artillery forward observer vehicle with raised roofline and PERI D-11 periscope.
  • FltPzArt (Feuerleitpanzer Artillerie) - Artillery fire direction vehicle.
  • FltPzMrs (Feuerleitpanzer Mörser) - Fire direction vehicle for mortar units.
  • FüFuPz (Führungs- und Funkpanzer) - Signals and command vehicle.
  • KrKw (Krankenwagen) - Ambulance.
  • PzMrs (Panzermörser) - Mortar carrier with Tampella 120mm and 63 rounds.
  • TrFz ABRA (Trägerfahrzeug) - Carrier vehicle for DR-PC 1a RATAC radar.
  • TrFz Green Archer (Trägerfahrzeug) - Carrier vehicle for Green Archer artillery location radar.
  • 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.

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 - 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 armour is about 950 kg and within the vehicle permissible load. 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.[1]
  • Keshet - 120 mm mortar carrier.
  • Shilem radar vehicle.
    Shilem radar vehicle.
  • Keshet mortar carrier.
    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 armour, firing ports, Browning M2 shields and smoke-grenade launchers; 600 to 800 produced
  • VCC-2 - Oto Melara VCC-1 improved version without rear sloped armour (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-defence command vehicle.
  • NM195 (Luftvernpanservogn) - M113A2 air-defence variant with RBS-70.
  • NM196 (Hjelpeplasspanservogn) - Medical treatment version of M577A2.
    • NM196F1 - Version with additional spall-liners.
  • NM197 (Replagspanservogn) - Armoured 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.
  • 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 armour and new power-pack.
  • NM209 (Panservogn, personnel) - Modified APC, based on the M113A2.
  • NM216 (TADKOM-knutepunktvogn) - Signals vehicle.

Philippines

Peru

The Peruvian Army has 130 M113A1 in service.

Singapore

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 armour, 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 centre 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 armoured 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 ROCA requirements. The size, shape and performance of the CM-21 is almost identical to the M113.

United Kingdom

References

  1. ^ IMI Introduces the "Urban Fighter" Upgraded M-113
  2. ^ Unofficial Philippine Army Gallery.
  3. ^ "Factsheet - Technical Specifications of Ultra M113" (Press release). Ministry of Defence, Singapore. 2006-04-19. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  4. ^ a b c d "Factsheet - Mechanised Igla" (Press release). Ministry of Defence, Singapore. 2007-04-23.
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