M548

The M548 is a tracked cargo carrier. It is based on the M113 armored personnel carrier, and was built by FMC Corp. at its San Jose, California, and Charleston, WV facilities.[1]

M548 cargo carrier
M548 in the Armee Museum Full
Typecargo carrier
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1960–present
Used bySee Operators
WarsVietnam War
Yom Kippur War
Iran–Iraq War
Gulf War
Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Production history
ManufacturerFMC Corp.
Oto Melara
Specifications
Mass12.8 tonnes (14.1 short tons; 12.6 long tons) (5 t Cargo)
Length5.89 metres (19 ft 4 in)
Width2.686 metres (8 ft 9.7 in)
Height2.81 metres (9 ft 3 in)
Crew4
Armornone
Main
armament
M2 Browning machine gun
EngineDetroit Diesel 6V53, 6-cylinder diesel engine
204 hp
Suspensiontorsion bar, 5 road wheels
Operational
range
480 km (300 mi)
Maximum speed 61 km/h (38 mph)

Design

Its light weight allows the use of a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, a 6V53 Detroit 2-stroke six cylinder diesel, with an Allison TX-100-1 3-speed automatic transmission, and allows the vehicle to carry a large payload cross-country and to be transported by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

The driveline consists of a front sprocket, 5 roadwheels and a rear tensioner. Suspension is by torsion bar. Support rollers are not necessary because of the taut and relatively light track. In off-road driving, the driver must be careful to keep the track tension constant. Even with a failed torsion bar the M548 is still roadworthy. The power of the motor drives the transfer gearcase, generator and the cooling of the differential/steering gear. The transfer gearcase can be used as a separating clutch when towing the vehicle and serves to reduce the motor's speed. The power transmission between the drive follows the torque converter with an automatic lock-up clutch.

Variants

United States
M548A1

It has the same improvements as M113A2. Improved suspension and cooling system. Entered service in 1982.[2]

M548A2
M548A3
M1015

Modified M548 to carry Electronic Warfare Shelters. Modifications included installation of 60W, 400hz power system and ground rod driver. EW Shelters carried included the AN/MLQ-24 TACJAM, and AN/TSQ-138 Trailblazer Direction Finding systems.[3]

Swiss Army
The M548's cargo compartment
  • Raupentransportwagen 68 (Rpe Trspw 68) M548 Munitionstransport (tracked transportvehicle 68, M548 ammunition transporter).
  • Raupentransportwagen 88 The Model 88 (Swiss Military License plates M+75829 to M+75882) was procured from 1986 to 1988, in total 54 pieces. Unlike the previous model 68, the model 88 has "Fleckentarnanstrich" (stain camouflage pattern) as well as improved diesel heating and improved landing gear.
  • Raupentransportwagen 68/05

The M548 was mainly used as ammunition transporter in units equipped with the self-propelled M109 howitzer. Also, the armor and weapons mechanic school's recruits, as well as at the tank mortar unit 16/5, used the M548. The usual load is ten pallets of eight 155 mm projectiles including charges and detonators. The handling is done with an electric hoist. An M548 is located in the Schweizerische Militärmuseum Full.

British Army

The British Army used M548 as logistical support for (UK) Armoured Division in the 1991 Gulf War.

The M548 was also used as the basis for the Tracked Rapier, originally intended for the Iranian Army but delivered to the British Army after the revolution caused the order to be cancelled.

On 25 February 1991, a pair of M548 crewed by personnel of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were supporting 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers who were providing the reconnaissance for the Division. They were attacked by an Iraqi Type 59 tank. One M548 was disabled and the Type 59 reengaged the second M548 who returned fire with small arms. Two crew (Sgt Dowling MM & L. Cpl. F. Evans, REME) were killed.

Operators

Notes
  1. Hearings on military posture and H.R. 13456, p. 7795.
  2. "M548 Tracked Cargo Carrier". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  3. "United States Army Weapon Systems, 1986". 1986.
  4. https://milinme.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/arab-revolts-revolutions-bahrain-4/
  5. Nader Uskowi (19 April 2010). "Iran Military Day Parade 2010 (4)". uskowioniran.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  6. https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/931580664905961472

References
  • Heller, Urs: Die Panzer der Schweizer Armee von 1920 bis 2008
  • Schweizerische Militärmuseum Full

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