M2 M113

The M113 tracked armored personnel carrier was developed in the USA and is currently in service with a number of countries.

The first example of the M113 was introduced back in 1960s and had some similarities with the M59 and M75 tracked armored vehicles. It's design was intended to fulfill the role of an Airborne Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Family (AAM-PVF). Vehicle was built from welded aluminum armor plates rather than steel. Such feature significantly decreased weight while armored protection remained the same. Reduction of weight was vital for airborne operations.

The M113 was extensively used during the war in Vietnam, where it was dubbed as a "Battle Taxi" carrying troops to the battlefield. During this war it proved as a highly effective vehicle.

The M113 armored personnel carrier has a crew of two, while providing accommodation for eleven fully equipped troops. Troops were protected from small arms fire and artillery shell fragments.

It's main armament is a 12.7-mm M2 machine gun, however it can be armed with additional weapons depending on the operational specifics. During it's service life the M113 was retrofitted with a makeshift shields for the machine gun, as the gunner was exposed to enemy fire. Soon the US army introduced it's version of the M113 optimized as an armored cavalry assault vehicle. Besides the 12.7-mm MG it had side shields for two 7.62-mm machine guns, mounted on either side of the top hatch.

Tracked vehicles have a number of advantages comparing with the wheeled ones. The main advantage of such design is that it can keep up on march with the main battle tanks over the rough terrain, which usually slows down wheeled APCs. Despite it's bulky appearance, the M113 is fully amphibious. It can ford water obstacles without flotation bags and is powered on water by it's tracks.

Vehicle is powered by a Detroit diesel engine.

There is a whole family of tracked armored vehicles based on the M113 APC.

A total of 80 000 M113 vehicles and it's variants were produced, making it one of the most widely used vehicles ever and it will continue to serve well into the 21st century.