American armored recovery vehicle M88
May 12, 2014 Print

In the late 1950s, the American engineers had designed armored recovery vehicle (ARV) M88. The main purpose of this machine is evacuated from the battlefield damaged armored vehicles, including under enemy fire. Besides M88 can also be used as a vehicle for the mechanics, the delivery of welding equipment, tools and spare parts. Besides ARV can be used to assist those in the field. assistance to crews of tanks in the maintenance and repair of tanks, self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles, and other military vehicles.



History of the recovery machine repair began with the contract between the U.S. Army and Bowen-McLaughlin-York Inc (BMY) to build three prototypes. New cars assigned designation T88. According to the technical specification machines were to be used the maximum possible number of components M60 tank. This was followed by an order to produce 10 vehicles for military trials. Serial production was started in 1959, when BMY has signed a contract with the U.S. Army in 1075 for cars with the delivery of the first M88 in February 1961. The design of the new car was well designed and extremely practical, so Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) was added in 1960 to the military lists of many countries as a type of armor.

When creating this machine is widely used components and assemblies of tanks M48 and M60. M88 on arms adopted in 1961. Total until 1964 was released more than 1,000 recovery vehicles M88. This machine is used by the U.S. Army, not only the U.S., but was adopted by Germany, Greece, Portugal, Israel, South Korea, Austria and Egypt.

M88 body is welded from rolled steel armor plates. This protects the crew and equipment from shell fragments and bullets. To access the crew on board is made armored doors. For an overview of the jobs of the driver and the vehicle commander equipped with vision blocks. Driver and mechanic located in front of the body, above the jobs performed mounted hatches and periscopes. In the middle part of the body is a branch of the hydraulic equipment, engine-transmission compartment in the stern.

M88 recovery vehicle is equipped with the following equipment: crane 23 tons, having an A-bolt is held in the front top of the case hinged (stowed folded back); main winch (tractive force of 40 tons); auxiliary winch; dozer with hydraulic drive; welding equipment; various mounting tool.



As a defensive armament armored recovery vehicle M88 is 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on top of the machine hatch. Ammunition - 1300 rounds. Moreover, we have the equipment for production of smoke screens.

In 1973, the M88 was upgraded. A new recovery vehicle diesel engine installed and a new transmission. Was also set 11-horsepower auxiliary motor. The upgraded M88 received the designation M88A1. By 1985, released in 1427 armored recovery vehicles M88A1, M88 and 876 machines were upgraded.

After been adopted M1 Abrams tank revealed that haul it one M88 is not possible and requires two. However, to address this issue did not start for 10 years and only in 1991 it was decided to create a machine capable of towing heavy tanks. The next 6 years to develop improved version of the machine received the designation M88A2 Hercules HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System - system for evacuation and repair of heavy military equipment general purpose). "Hercules" was adopted in 1997, and the next he still allowed to haul "Abrams" alone.

On the modification of M88A2 booking strengthened front of the chassis, installed a more powerful engine AVDS-1790-8DR and drivetrain XT-14105A, improved the braking system and suspension, winch replaced by having more power, extended A-shaped crane boom.

With a total weight of 63.5 tons (140 thousand pounds) with a power of 1050 hp engine HERCULES can tow another vehicle at speeds up to 42 km / h (26 miles / h), having a weight of 63.5 tons company BAE Systems said that the power reserve on the highway is 480 km (300 miles). M88A2 is also capable of 60% gradeability, wall height of 1 meter (42 inches), the trench width 2.6 meters (103 inches).



The U.S. Army in 2013 planned to buy 31 M88A2 machine amounting to $ 108 million, while in March 2014 another 14 pieces of these machines.

Despite the fact that the ARV is in service for more than fifty years old, obsolete and unable to accompany the tanks because of poorer driving performance, M88 is still in service with the U.S. Army - a program to create ARV based on the "Abrams" and did not realize.

Performance characteristics:
M88:
Length - 8.26 m
Height - 2.9 m
Width - 3.4 m
Weight in firing position - 50.8 tons.
Crew - 4 people
Powerplant: 750 hp (55 kW) petrol engine with liquid cooling.
Maximum road speed - 42 km / h.
Cruising on the highway - 360 km.
Crane capacity - 23 tons.
Winch line pull - 40 tons.
Weapons - anti-aircraft machine gun 12.7 mm caliber.

M88A1:
Crew - 3 persons.
Powerplant: 750 hp (55 kW) diesel engine.
Maximum speed - 42 km / h
Range - about 480 km.

M88A2:
Length - 8.58 m
Width - 3,65 m
Height - 3.14 m
Ground clearance - 0.40 m
Weight in firing position - 63.5 tons.
Powerplant: 1050-hp diesel engine.
Maximum speed - 42 km / h
Range - about 480 km.

















Adapted from:
armoredgun.org
weaponvideo-ru.livejournal.com
www.fas.org
www.globalsecurity.org
www.inetres.com
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