The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - M113 Armored Personnel Carrier - Nov. 2nd, 2004

globalsecurity.org ^

[SAMWolf]

The M113A1 is a lightly armoured full tracked air transportable personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo. The M113-family was developed the from M59 and M75 which were designed by FMC (Food Machinery Corp.) in the late 1950´s. The vehicle is capable of: amphibious operations in streams and lakes; extended cross country travel over rough terrain; and high speed operation on improved roads and highways.



The M113 Family includes approximately 12 variants of light armored tracked vehicles used in a variety of combat and combat support roles. Total density exceeds 28,000. Today's M113 Family of Vehicles is composed of a mix of derivative systems consisting of the A1, A2, and A3 configurations. The current fleet includes: M113A2; M113A3; M106A2; M1064; M1064A3; M548A1; M548A3; M577A2; M577A3; M730A2; M901A1; M981; M1068; M1068A3; M1059; and M1059A3. Over the next 10-15 years, the majority of these systems will be converted to the A3 configuration.



Since their initial introduction in 1960, M113-based systems have entered service in more than 50 countries. The systems have been modified into more than 40 identified specific variants, with many times that number of minor field modifications. Many of these modifications have been developed by foreign governments to meet their specific national requirements. While some older M113 derivatives are being retired and removed from selected inventories, other FOV members are being upgraded, reconfigured, and introduced as entirely new systems.

More than 80,000 M113 Family of Vehicle (FOV) systems have been produced. New M113 FOV systems are being built while existing chassis are being upgraded to modern configurations.



The M113 APC was the first modern "battle taxi"; developed to transport infantry forces on the mechanized battlefield. It is fitted with a 2 stroke six cylinder Detroit diesel providing power through a 3 speed automatic gearbox and steering differential. The main armament is a single .50 Cal heavy barrel machine gun, and the secondary armament is a single .30 Cal machine gun. The M113 is built of aircraft quality aluminum which allows it to possess some of the same strengths as steel at a much lighter weight. This distinct weight advantage allows the M113 to utilize a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, as well as carry a large payload cross-country. The vehicle is capable of "swimming" bodies of water.

The Army says the Stryker family of vehicles are considered less vulnerable to small arms and weapons fire than the M113 family of vehicles. The crew and engine compartments of the Strykers are fully protected up to 14.5mm armor piercing (AP) rounds while the crew and engine compartments of the M113s are protected only up to 7.62mm AP rounds. Although a 14.5mm armor design was developed for the M113s, the armor was never produced and fielded.



For vehicles weighing 10-20 tons, tracked vehicles have better cross-country mobility in sand, mud and snow than wheeled vehicles, while wheeled vehicles have much better speed and ride quality over primary and secondary roads than tracked vehicles.

The vehicle is not mission capable if any one track shoe is damaged. If the M113 loses a track, breaks a track shoe or the vehicle throws a track, extreme caution must be exercised in maintaining control. The driver must immediately release the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a stop. Applying braking action, i.e. brake pedal, laterals, pivot or any type of steering controls causes the vehicle to pull to the active or good track and could result in a roll-over. If it is absolutely necessary, the driver may apply braking action only, and only if the vehicle is approaching a ravine, a cliff, or if other catastrophic outcome, probably resulting in fatalities. When roll-over is imminent; it is safer to stay in the vehicle than to try to get out while the vehicle is still moving. Crew members may receive slight injuries from being thrown against metal parts, but if they try to leave the vehicle, it may roll over and crush them. Once the vehicle stops moving, the crew should get out as fast as possible because spilled fuel and oil may catch on fire. The first thing the driver should do in such an emergency is shut off the engine and turn off the master switch to minimize the fire hazard.



Initially nick-named "The Green Dragon" by the enemy, the M113 served in all areas of Vietnam throughout the war and was to become one of the most successful armored vehicles of all time. Unlike many other Army vehicles, the M133 does not appear to have acquired an official name or even a widely used nickname. Some advocates have indicated that the M113 is also nicknamed the "Gavin", after an Army general who was influential in the development of the M113 in the 1950s. This is not however, an official designation, and there is some question about the extent to which actual users of the system use this name. A similar point arises with respect to the M8 AGS, which some unofficially call the Buford, despite this also being an unofficial naming. One observer wrote that "In more than 30 years working in the defense industry, I have never, never heard anybody use the name “Gavin” for the M-113. Not in the US nor in any of the many countries that use the vehicle. Not in the military forces, not in the companies that build and equip it, not in the groups that retrofit and repair it. This usage appears not only to be “unofficial”, it is entirely fictional and I believe that you may have been the victim of a hoax or deliberate disinformation."

[SAMWolf]

Future Concepts

Tomorrow's track combat vehicles will need to transit battlefields quicker, carry heavier loads, provide crew and equipment with increased protection and meet the digitization requirements of Force XXI and the Army After Next. Government and industry planners are looking at a number of initiatives to help insure these future capabilities in the M113A3 family of vehicles systems. The force structure for 21st century armored forces will keep much of the existing track combat vehicle fleet that are in the Army today. The challenge for tomorrow's Army will involve making the best use of future funding to improve capabilities and reduce limitations of the current vehicle inventory.



Due to its durability, low cost, and light weight, the M113 design is an ideal starting point for development of future light weight vehicles. Concepts ranging from rear drive M113 vehicles, to composite hulled turreted vehicles, to low observable alternatives are all possible given the baseline M113 chassis and components. Recent M113 concepts for the future include: the XM1108 Universal Carrier, the M113A3 High Mobility System, and the M577A3 "Stretch". These concepts, as well as other ongoing upgrade initiatives, provide the foundation for future modernization and the continued viability and utility of M113-based systems.



Regardless of the need and the timeframe involved, these concepts provide an effective, viable alternative to a new start production program for the chassis. This allows program funding to concentrate on maturing the target acquisition, survivability, low observable, and communications technologies needed.



In late 2001, as part of the FY ‘03-’07 Five Year Defense Program's Program Objective Memorandum [POM], the Army cancelled a total of 19 programs, including the Raytheon Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless Fire and Forget missile, the BAE Systems Advanced Tactical Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM), the General Dynamics Hydra rocket, the United Defense, L.P. M113 armored personnel carrier recapitalization, and the Tank Extended-Range Munition (TERM).

Additional Sources:

www.uniteddefense.com
www.gruntonline.com
www.tacticaltruck.com
www.israeli-weapons.com
www.diggerhistory.info
www.haaland.info
www.jodyharmon.com
www.cnn.com

[SAMWolf]

The largest family of armored tracked vehicles in the world, the M113/MTVL family includes more than 80,000 vehicles worldwide and more than 40 variants. The M113 has been continuously updated to meet current battlefield needs for mobility, reliability, survivability and transportability. One of the most widely used combat vehicles in the world, the M113 family plays a role in the militaries of at least 44 countries.

[SAMWolf]

Here are the recommended holiday mailing dates for military mail this year:

For military mail addressed TO APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are:

• Parcel Post - November 13
• Space Available - November 27
• Parcel Airlift - December 4
• Priority Mail, First Class cards and letters - Mailing date is December 11 to all locations
  • EXCEPT for locations starting with ZIP 093. For all locations starting with ZIP 093 the mailing date is December 6.
• Express Mail - December 20 to locations where Express Mail service is available. Check with your local post office to determine which APO/FPO addresses can receive Express Mail. Note: This service is not available to ships.

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For military mail FROM APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are:

• Space Available - November 20
• Parcel Airlift - December 4
• Priority Mail, First Class cards and letters - December 11
• Express Mail - December 18 from APO/FPO addresses where Express Mail can be accepted. Check with your local military post office to determine if they can accept Express Mail. Note: This service is not available from ships.

Thanks for the information StayAtHomeMother

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Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul

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************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

Cannoneer, stay safe. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Good Night, Snippy. We're getting SHORT!!!!

[snippy_about_it]

It may be a "Wild Bird Center", but to me it will always be this:

[wildcatf4f3]

Thank you, my first stop here. will be back, VICTORY!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

Today's election day. Be sure to vote.

[alfa6]

Treadhead and Election Day bump for the Foxhole.

Got mine in yesterday E.G.C., off to work I must go.

Hi manna !!!

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone!

[The Mayor]

November 2, 2004

Win Or Lose, Do Good

Read: Titus 3:1-8

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. —Titus 3:1

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 27-29; Titus 3

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When the results of today's presidential election are known, US citizens will either be glad or sad, depending on their political persuasion. Those who voted for the winner are likely to accept the authority of the government he establishes. Most others will submit, though grudgingly.

Christians are to go beyond mere submission to governing authorities and follow the guidelines given in the Bible. In writing to Titus, Paul said we should also be peaceable and considerate, and we should do good without slandering anyone (3:1-2).

Titus was working among believers in Crete, a place notorious for its unruly inhabitants. There were good reasons to say bad things about the people living and ruling there, but Paul warned Christians not to do it.

In fact, seven times in his short letter to Titus, Paul mentioned the importance of doing good: loving what is good (1:8), teaching what is good (2:3), doing what is good (2:7,14; 3:1-2,8,14).

Paul's letter is a timely reminder that as Christians we are to do what is good for people, regardless of whether we approve of their values and agree with their policies. It may not be easy, but it's the right thing to do. —Julie Ackerman Link

From the example of Jesus,
Who went about doing good,
We are to honor our Savior
By helping wherever He would. —Hess

Christians can be constructive if they refuse to be destructive.

[Soaring Feather]

Awwww snippy, I love the picture. Yes, The Sam and Snippy Store

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on November 02:
1470 King Edward V of England (1483); deposed, murdered? by Richard III
1734 Daniel Boone frontiersman/explorer (US Hall of Fame-1915)
1755 Marie-Antoinette Queen of France, let them eat cake
1795 James Knox Polk NC, 11th President (D) (1845-1849)
1815 George Boole mathematician (Boolean algebra)
1810 Andrew Atkinson Humphreys Mjr Gen (Union volunteers), died in 1883
1812 Abraham I van Lier theater director (Gran Th‚ƒtre-van Lier)
1815 George Boole mathematician (Boolean algebra)
1822 James Byron Gordon Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1864
1826 Robert Hopkins Hatton Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1862
1826 William Haines Lytle Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1863
1828 Byron Grimes Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1880
1847 George Sorel French Socialist thinker, writer (violent revolutions)
1865 Warren Gamaliel Harding (R), 29th President (1921-23)
1885 Harlow Shapley US, astronomer (studied the galaxies)
1901 Paul Ford Baltimore MD, actor (Phil Silvers Show)
1906 Luchino Visconti Milan Italy, director (Damned, Death in Venice)
1911 Odysseus Elytis Greece, poet (Nobel 1979)
1913 Burt Lancaster NYC, actor (From Here to Eternity, Elmer Gantry)
1914 Ray Walston New Orleans LA, actor (My Favorite Martian, Damn Yankees)
1917 Durward Knowles England, yachtsman (Olympic-gold-1968-Bahamas)
1921 Willaim D Schaefer Maryland, (Gov-D-MD)
1934 Ken Rosewall Sydney Australia, tennis star (US 1956)
1936 Rose Bird California Supreme Court Judge
1938 Patrick Buchanan conservative political columnist
1942 Shere Hite St Joseph Missouri, sex therapist (Hite Report)
1942 Stefanie Powers Hollywood Ca, actress (Girl From UNCLE, Hart to Hart)
1944 Jeffrey A Hoffman Brooklyn NY, PhD/astronaut (STS 51-D, 35, sk:46)
1952 Kate Linder actress (Esther-Young & Restless)
1953 Alfre Woodard Tulsa OK, actress (St Elsewhere)
1958 Bobby Dall rocker (Poison-Every Rose Has a Thorn)
1958 Willie McGee St Louis Card (1985 NL MVP)
1961 k.d. lang country singer (& the Reclines-Absolute Torch & Twang)
1963 Ines Diers German DR, 400m freestyle swimmer (Olympic-gold-1980)
1967 Darla Michele Pruett Canton Georgia, Miss Georgia-America (1991)
1975 Danny Cooksey Moore OK, actor (Sam-Diff'rent Strokes)
1990 Natasha Smirnoff daughter of Yakov Smirnov

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Deaths which occurred on November 02:
1171 Dionysius bar Salibi author (Diarbekir), dies
1870 William F Brantly Confederate (brig-general), murdered at about 40
1887 Jenny Lind, [Swedish Nightingale], soprano, dies at 67
1950 George Bernard Shaw, Irish author (Pygmalion), dies at 94
1961 James Thurber humorist (The Male Animal), dies at 66
1966 Mississippi John Hurt Bluesman, dies at 73
1980 Edith Bunker dies on "All in the Family"
1980 Willie Sutton US bank robber, dies at 79
1984 Margie V Barfield, US murderer, 1st woman electricuted in 22 years
1991 Irwin Allen, US director (Poseidon Adventure), dies
1992 Hal Roach, producer, dies of pneumonia at 100 He was credited with discovering the legendary comedy team of Laurel and Hardy and went on to produce the "Our Gang" and Keystone Kops comedies.

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION
1966 KLINE ROBERT E.---INDIANA PA.
1967 KNAPP FREDRIC W.---HUNTINGTON NY.
1967 MORROW RICHARD DAVID---SAN FRANCISCO CA.
[08/23/78 REMAINS RETURNED]
1967 WRIGHT JAMES J.---MERCED CA.
[08/23/78 REMAINS RETURNED]
1969 CHIRICHIGNO LUIS G.
[03/27/73 RELEASED BY PRG, ALIVE IN 98]
1969 CARROLL PATRICK H.---ALLEN PARK MI.
1969 NOWICKI JAMES E.---WINTER PARK FL.
[03/27/73 RELEASED BY PRG, ALIVE IN 98]
1969 PETERSON MICHAEL TERRY---REDMOND WA.
[12/10/69 SOME LISTS SAY REMAINS RECOVERED,RETURNEE ALIVE 1998]
1969 SHEPARD VERNON C.---TALMADGE OH
[12/10/69 RELEASED]
1969 WHITFORD LAWRENCE W. JR.---CEDAR FALLS IA.

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

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On this day...
0676 Donus begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1355 English invasion army under king Edward lands at Calais
1570 A tidal wave in the North Sea destroys the sea walls from Holland to Jutland. More than 1,000 people are killed.
1648 12,000 Jews massacred by Chmielnicki hordes in Narol, Podlia( the Ukraine)
1721 Peter the Great Becomes Emperor of Russia
1772 The first Committees of Correspondence are formed in Massachusetts under Samuel Adams
1783 Gen Washington bids farewell to his army
1811 Battle of Tippecanoe: Gen William Henry Harrison routes Indians
1824 Popular presidential vote 1st recorded; Jackson beats J.Q. Adams
1835 2nd Seminole War begins in Osceola
1841 Akbar Khan successfully revolts against Shah Shuja in Afghanistan
1879 In a 6-day footrace a Mr Weston loses to a horse, 900 to 885 km
1880 James A Garfield (R) elected President
1889 North Dakota becomes 39th & South Dakota becomes the 40th state
1898 Theodor Herzl arrives in Jerusalem
1892 Lawmen surround outlaws Ned Christie and Arch Wolf near Tahlequah, Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). It will take dynamite and a cannon to dislodge the two from their cabin.
1904 British newspaper, "The Daily Mirror," begins publishing
1915 1st US election by proportional representation, Ashtabula, Ohio
1916 Ft Vaux, Verdun, reconquered by France
1917 Balfour Declaration proclaims support for a Jewish state in Palestine
1917 Lansing-Ishii Agreement; US recognizes Japan's privileges in China
1920 KDKA (Pittsburgh) goes on the air as 1st commercial radio station
1920 Warren G Harding elected President
1930 Ras Tafari crowned Haile Selassie I, 225th emperor of Solmonic Dynasty
1934 Babe Ruth tours Tokyo Japan
1936 1st high-definition TV broadcast service, by BBC in London
1938 Babe Ruth applies for the job of St Louis Browns' manager
1942 Montgomery (Br) defeats Rommel (Ger) in battle of Alamein (WW II)
1944 Auschwitz begins gassing inmates
1947 Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose" flies for 1st (& last) time
1948 President Harry S Truman beats Republican challenger Thomas E Dewey for the U.S. Presidency, confounding pollsters and newspapers (the Chicago Daily Tribune wrongly publishes the famous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline)
1954 Charles C Diggs Jr elected Michigan's 1st black congressman
1954 JS Thurmond 1st senator elected by write-in vote (SC)
1955 Clarton-Schwerdt & Schaffer discover polio virus
1955 David Ben-Gurion forms Israeli govt
1956 Hungary appeals for UN assistance against Soviet invasion
1956 Israel captures Gaza and Sheham
1957 1st titanium mill opened, Toronto Ohio
1959 Charles Van Doren confesses, TV quiz show-"21," was fixed
1960 Penguin Books publishes "Lady Chatterley's Lover"
1962 JFK announces Cuban missile bases were being dismantled
1969 NFL record of 12 passing touchdowns, New Orleans Billy Kramer & St L Charlie Johnson pass for 6 touchdowns each
1970 Cleveland Cavaliers lose by biggest margin-54 pts (Philadelphia 141-87)
1972 Construction begins on the Kingdome, Seattle
1976 Former Georgia Gov Jimmy Carter (D) defeats incumbent Gerald R Ford (R) in race for Presidency
1978 Crew of Soyuz 29 returns to Earth aboard Soyuz 31
1983 Archbishop Hickey conducts papal investigation of Archbishop Hunthausen, Seattle
1983 President Reagan signs a bill establishing Martin L King day
1987 Entertainer Lola Falona is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
1988 Computer virus strikes Pentagon, SDI research lab & 6 universities
1988 Mexican radio station erroneously reports Mike Tyson dies in car crash
1988 Walt Weiss wins AL rookie of the year (3rd straight for Oakland A's)
1993 Rudolph Guliani (R) elected 107th mayor of NYC
1993 A new series of wildfires swept along the Southern California coast, destroying more than 300 homes in the exclusive community of Malibu.
1996 Britain announced a plan to ban ownership of large caliber handguns.
2001 Eleven firefighters are arrested, and five police officers injured, in a clash at the site of the World Trade Center when hundreds of firefighters and workers protest a reduction in the number of cleanup workers (the reduction is soon modified to permit more cleanup workers on the site than originally proposed

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Israel : Balfour Declaration Day (1917)
Mexico/Portugal : Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead
North & South Dakota : Admission Day (1889)
Venezuela : Memorial Day
US : Fig Week (Day 2)
US : Broadcast Journalists Day.
US : Double Talk Week Begins
Peanut Butter Lover's Month

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Religious Observances
Ang, RC : All Souls' Day-Commemoration of All Faithful Departed
Christian : Commemoration of St Marcian

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Religious History
1164 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, 45, began a six_year self_imposed exile in France. Once a close friend of England's Henry II, Thomas had more recently become an outspoken opponent of the king's royal policies.
1600 Staunch Anglican theologian Richard Hooker died at 46. His last words were: 'God hath my daily petitions, for I am at peace with all men, and He is at peace with me... and this witness makes the thoughts of death joyful.'
1789 During the chaos of the French Revolution, the property of the Church in France was taken over by the state.
1830 A general convention of Methodist reformers opposed to the episcopal (i.e., bishop_led) form of church government met in Baltimore, MD, to establish the Protestant Methodist Church.
1917 British foreign secretary Arthur J. Balfour, 69, issued the Balfour Declaration, calling for "establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." The document's recognition of a Jewish nationalism planted the seed which in 1948 led to an establishment of the modern state of Israel.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"On election day the promising season ends, and the excuse making season begins"

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Childrens Impression of Love...
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you...That's why I stopped doing it." (Jean, 10)

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Children's stories that never made it...
Whining, Kicking and Crying to Get Your Way

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Handy Latin Phrases...
Te audire no possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear.

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Redefining the English language
Circumvent (n.)
The opening in the front of boxer shorts

[RasterMaster]

The reason for my vote today (AGAINST Hanoi John!):

Our family's M113 driver. Thanks, Sam for the post!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Happy election day, SAM, snippy, Foxhole crew.

Christian radio is promoting the election heavily in SW Florida, and reporting early long lines at the polls (with the promise that it will not keep faithful voters away). Update, minimum 45 minute wait today to vote.

                                                       - ehard's pic (now, the Foxhole's). (^:

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-gram.

[Samwise]

http://www.rightsideredux.com/

Our Marching Orders! Watch the video.