M548

Last updated
M548 cargo carrier
IMFT 6 2015 357.jpeg
M548 in the Armee Museum Full
Typecargo carrier
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service1960–present
Used bySee Operators
Wars Vietnam War
Yom Kippur War
Iran–Iraq War
Gulf War
Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)
Production history
Manufacturer FMC 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

Armor none
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)

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, West Virginia facilities. [1]

Contents

Design

Driving position Kabine Munitionsschlepper.JPG
Driving position

Its light weight allows the use of a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, a 6V53 Detroit two-stroke six cylinder diesel, with an Allison TX-100-1 three-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, five 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

NATO Stock Number (NSN) 2350–01–096–9356 [2]

It has the same improvements as M113A2. Improved suspension and cooling system. Entered service in 1982. [3]

M548A2
M548A3

NATO Stock Number (NSN) 2350-01-369-6081 [4]

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 [5] Trailblazer Direction Finding systems. [6]

Swiss Army

The M548's cargo compartment, yellow artillery shell on winch Military of Switzerland M548 heck.jpg
The M548's cargo compartment, yellow artillery shell on winch

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.[ citation needed ]

British Army

British M548 M548 (7527992146).jpg
British M548

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 anti-aircraft missile system, 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 crewmen (Sergeant Dowling, MM and Lance Corporal F. Evans, REME) were killed.

Operators

Major components of the M548 M548A1 major components.jpg
Major components of the M548

Former operators

Notes

  1. Hearings on military posture and H.R. 13456, p. 7795.
  2. "M548A1 NATO Stock Number NSN 2350–01–096–9356".
  3. "M548 Tracked Cargo Carrier". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  4. "M548A3 NATO Stock Number NSN 2350-01-369-6081".
  5. "AN/TSQ-138 NATO Stock Number NSN 5895-01-165-7408".
  6. "United States Army Weapon Systems, 1986". 1986.
  7. https://defence-blog.com/norway-pledges-tracked-cargo-carriers-for-ukraine/
  8. "Arab Revolts & Revolutions: Bahrain (4)". 9 July 2011.
  9. "Norway donate 51 M548 to Ukraine". 19 September 2023.

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References