Variants of the 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M113 armored personnel carriers in Australian service.

Some Australian AFVs have the suffix "AS" (the NATO code for Australia), often appended by a model number.

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, besides the M577A1 command vehicle, all of versions of the M113A1 had the passenger compartment heaters removed. In the late 1980s, 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^[1] 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, which carried a crew of 2 or 3 (crew commander, driver and sometimes operator/observer), were used in the sabre (recon) troops of the Cavalry regiment and the recon troop of the Armoured regiment. APCs carried a crew of 2 plus several 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.^[2] 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 ranging 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^[1] 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 armament. 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 on the water, they provided virtually no additional armour protection. Other changes include a modified driver's hatch which pivoted toward the centre line of the vehicle instead of opening to the rear of the driver's hatch, this feature preventing the open driver's hatch being caught on 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 M113A1 with new engine, transmission, steering, suspension, brakes and hull protection. ^{[3] [4] [5]}
• 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 electronically driven "one man turret" with 12.7mm heavy machine gun and sight. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

• 
  Australian M113A1 FSV.
• 
  Interior of FSV with Saladin turret
• 
  Australian M113 MRV.
• 
  Australian "Scorpion" M113A1 MRV
• 
  M113A1 MRVs
• 
  M113 Fitter
• 
  M113A1, T50 turret
• 
  An M113AS4

Brazil

• M113MB1
• M577 (34 delivered in septembre 2016)

Belgium

BMF from Belgium has built the M113A1 with some modifications (using the suspension of the 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 the 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 M30 4.2" mortar, but all 35 vehicles have been upgraded to tow the Thompson-Brandt MO-120-RT 120mm mortar.
• 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 a 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. The system features a turret with an eight tube ADATS missile launcher based on M113A2 based chassis. On top of the turret is an X-band radar with a range of 25 km. Used solely by the Canadian Forces, the ADATS has been withdrawn from Canadian service with no planned replacement announced as of late 2012. The missile was evaluated by the US Army (LOS-F-H program), but not selected for adoption.

• 
  TLAV in Afghanistan with cage armor, 2010.

Under the Armoured Personnel Carrier Life Extension (APCLE) program, 341 Canadian M113A2 series vehicles were upgraded: 183 were stretched by 50 cm and fitted with 6 road wheels (Mobile Tactical Vehicle). The remaining 158 vehicles were upgraded to M113A3 standards, retaining 5 road wheels. Modifications include more powerful 400HP Allison diesel engines, upgraded suspension, bolt-on steel armour plates, steel cage armour, and improved armament consisting of either a Cadillac-Gage 1 metre turret or a Nanuk Remotely Controlled Weapon Station.^[6] After upgrade, the family of vehicles became known by the acronym LAV-T (Light Armoured Vehicle - Tracked in Canadian army parlance. Under the APCLE program, there were a number of variants created, these include:

• MTV-E (Mobile Tactical Vehicle Engineer) Military engineering version equipped with a large plough blade on the front, a hydraulically powered auger on the rear driver's side, and hydraulic hoses for use with hydraulic tools opposite the auger.
• MTV-R (Mobile Tactical Vehicle Recovery) Recovery vehicle equipped with a 20,000 kg winch and an integrated crane.
• LAV-T/CP M577A3 Command Post, nicknamed the 'Queen Mary', carries a communications suite in a heightened hull.
• LAV-T (Light Armoured Vehicle - Tracked) Standard version M113A3 equipped with either a Cadillac 1m turret or an RWS system.

Models Removed from Service

• 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. The hydraulic pump and fluid reservoirs were mounted inside the hull necessitating the development of the initial modification for external fuel tanks mounted on each side of the rear ramp.
• 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
• Lynx reconnaissance vehicle

Denmark

• M113A2 Mk I DK

Build 1989 - 1993 by E. Falck Schmidt in Odense, and implemented 1992, the M113A2 is armed with a 25 mm Oerlikon-Contraves machine-cannon ranging up to 1,500 m and a German 7.62 mm machine-gun mounted co-axially. The 25 mm Oerlikon-gun has a firing-rate of approx. 600 rounds a minute. The guns are mounted in an Italian Oto Melara turret. The M113A2 has a thermal sight produced by Zeiss. It is used in armoured infantry companies - each company having 2 M113A2s. 50 units were ordered.

The main differences between the A1 and A2 versions is that the latter has a more powerful turbo-charged engine (Detroit Diesel, 6V53T developing 265 hp at 2,800 rpm), improved suspension and an improved cooling- and heating-system.

When implemented at the IFOR/SFOR forces in the former Yugoslavia, 6 M113A2s were retrofitted with "add-on armour". The body is protected with the FMC armoured plates, "spall liner" and "belly armour", the fuel-tanks are filled with "safety foam balls" and the turret with a Danish kit consisting of ceramic and armoured plates developed by E. Falck Schmidt and Roulund in Odense. The M113A2 can resist fire from weapons up to 14.5 mm at a range down to 100 m.

The M113A2 was nicknamed "Wildcat" in the first stages of the project, but due to copyright-problems, it was never officially adopted. The project was worth 357 mil. DKr (1987).

With the Defence Agreement 2005 - 2009 made in 2004, it was decided that the M113A2 would no longer be a part of the Danish Army's inventory. A few have been rebuilt as fire fighting vehicles to supersede the ageing M113A1 fire fighting vehicles.^[7]

• 
  M113A2 MK I DK, 2004.

Germany

In German service, the M113 and M113A1 were known respectively as the 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
• 
  Trägerfahrzeug Green Archer

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.^[8] 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 as 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. There is also a special command version with additional radio equipment and an auxiliary power unit. 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. It was introduced in the mid-1990s and saw action in the Southern Lebanon security zone. The added weight of the armor led to limited mobility and reliability problems and the vehicle was eventually removed from service.
• Nagman - M113 equipped with Toga armor suite, a 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 a large armored superstructure around the roof hatches.
• Kasman Magen or Kasman Meshupar - Upgraded Kasman with a modified superstructure and external fuel tanks.
• Giraf - M113 with a 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, it is armed with a four-tube FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher.
• Hatap, also spelled Chatap - A field repair vehicle for carrying spare parts and equipment specific to the vehicles it is 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.^[9]
• Keshet - 120 mm mortar carrier.

• 
  Shilem radar vehicle.
• 
  Keshet mortar carrier.

Italy

• Arisgator - The Italian company Aris has developed a fully Amphibious version of the M113 called Arisgator. This version carries the same number 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

Lebanon

• M113A1 with ZU-23
• M113A1 with ZPU-4

• 
  M113A1 ZPU-4
• 
  M113A1 ZU-23

Netherlands

• M113A1 - The normal M113A1 APC, used for the infantry groups of the cavalry reconnaissance battalions en independent cavalry reconnaissance squadrons as well by the Koninklijke Marechaussee, the Dutch military police.
• M113A1 PGN - Pantser GeNie. M113A1 equipped with engineering and demolition equipment, in use by armoured engineer companies.
• M113 C&V - Commando & Verkenning. Dutch version of the M113 Lynx, first equipped with a .50 BMG, later with a 25mm automatic Oerlikon cannon.
• M106 - Mortar carrier with 81mm mortar, in service with the cavalry reconnaissance battalions and squadrons.
• M113A1 GWT - GeWonden Transport. A specifically modified and equipped M113 for use as an armored ambulance.
• M577 - Command post vehicle, used by cavalry and artillery units.
• M113A1 RDR - RaDaR M113A1 equipped with a battlefield surveillance radar system.
• M578 - Recovery vehicle.
• M667 - Lance Launcher, in service with the nuclear capable 129e Afdeling Veldartillerie (129e field artillery battalion.

Norway

• NM135 (Stormpanservogn) - Norwegian variant of the M113A1 with a 20mm Rheinmetall MK2020 machine cannon with a 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 a 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

• M113A1 - The legacy M113A1 vehicles were acquired from 1967 onwards.^[10]
  • XM806E1 - armored recovery vehicle variant.
  • M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) - Philippine Army variant of the M113A1 fitted with the 76mm low pressure gun turret of the FV101 Scorpion.^[10]
  • M113A1 Mortar Carriers - Philippine Army variant of the M113A1 converted for use as an armoured mortar carrier.
• M113A2 - The US ‘Excess Defense Articles (EDA)’ programme allowed the Philippine Army to acquire 114 M113A2 vehicles from US stocks, with deliveries beginning in 2012. Another acquisition saw the Philippine Army acquire 28 more M113A2 vehicles, which Elbit Systems will upgrade under the terms of a $19.7 million contract.^[10]
  • M113A2 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) - 14 Fire Support Vehicles (FSV) will be equipped with the turrets of decommissioned Alvis Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicles, a new fire control system and thermal imaging system. The two-person Scorpion turret is armed with a 76 mm L23A1 gun and a 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun (MG) with day/image intensification sights.^[11] Four of the M113A2 will be equipped a 25 mm cannon mounted in an Elbit Remote Control Weapon Station (RC WS), six will have an RC WS mounting a 12.7mm machine gun.^[10]
  • M113A2 Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) - Four M113A2s will be configured as ARVs.^[10]

Portugal

The Portuguese Army operates 150 (of 180 delivered) in the A1 and A2 variants of the basic M113 armored personnel carrier (M113 A1/2 M/76 a 90,^[12] 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.^[13]

• 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:^[14]
  • 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 initially received 30 M730 in the A2 variant and afterwards 4 vehicles in the A3 variant.^[15]
• M901 ITV (M901/TOW) - The Portuguese Army received 4 M901 ITV in 1990; these are still in service. The Portuguese Army made 30 similar vehicles using M113A2 APCs and M220 TOW launchers. The major difference between the variants is that the latter type had a single launcher instead of the twin launcher of the M901.^[16][17]

Singapore

• M113A2 Ultra IFV - Originally an M113A1, upgraded to A2 standard and modernized by ST Kinetics with a 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.^[18]
• M113A2 Ultra Mechanised Igla - as above, but armed with six ready to fire Igla SAMs and configured for the role of short range air defense (SHORAD). The Integrated fire unit (IFU) is equipped with an advance fire control radar; 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).^[19]

• 
  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).
• 
  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.

Übermittlungspanzer 63 with telephone wire drums.

• Schützenpanzer 63 - Designation of the basic M113A1 in Swiss service.
  • Schützenpanzer 63/73 - Variant of the SPz 63 with a 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, which 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

Turkey

• M113A2T1 - Modernized M113A2 with M45 Quadmount.
• M113A2T2 - Modernized M113A2 with upgraded armor with a M2 Browning cuppola turret.^[20]
  • M113A2T2M - Medical vehicle variant of T2.
  • ADOP-2000 - Forward observer system variant of T2.
  • BAİKS -Field artillery battery fire direction variant of T2.
  • Atılgan PMADS - M113A2T2 with a fully automated firing unit for Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles such as the FIM-92 Stinger, providing autonomous as well as coordinated operation with C3I systems and other air defence assets.^[21]

United Kingdom

Tracked Rapier at RAF Museum Cosford.

• Tracked Rapier - Octuple surface-to-air missile launcher for the Rapier missile system originally commissioned by Iran but taken over by the British after the 1979 Revolution. No longer in service.

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. Before the US Army changed their designation system, the XM106 was known as the T257E1.
  • 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.
• M113 OSV: OPFOR Surrogate Vehicle (OSV) used to simulate enemy tracked vehicles in force-on-force training.
• 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 a 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 to form 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 four 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 the 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).

• 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

An FMC 210CA skidder modified for forest fires

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 (A hydraulic grapple attachment was later 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.^[22]

References