In the late 1950s, the M88 armored recovery vehicle (ARV) was developed by American engineers. The main purpose of this vehicle is to evacuate damaged armored vehicles from the battlefield, including under enemy fire. In addition, the M88 can also be used as a vehicle for mechanics, delivery of welding equipment, tools and spare parts. In addition, ARRV can be used to provide those in the field. assistance to tank crews in the maintenance and repair of tanks, self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles, and other combat vehicles.
The history of this recovery vehicle began with the conclusion of a contract between the US Army and Bowen-McLaughlin-York Inc (BMY) for the construction of three prototypes. The new vehicles were designated T88. According to the terms of reference, the vehicles had to use the maximum possible number of components of the M60 tank. This was followed by an order for the manufacture of 10 vehicles for military trials. Serial production began in 1959 when BMY signed a contract with the US Army for 1,075 vehicles, with the delivery of the first M88s in February 1961. The design of the new vehicle turned out to be well-designed and extremely practical, so the Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) was added to the military lists of many countries as a type of armored vehicle since 1960.
When creating this vehicle, the components and assemblies of the M48 and M60 tanks were widely used. The M88 entered service in 1961. In total, until 1964, more than 1000 M88 evacuation vehicles were produced. This vehicle is not only in service with the US Army, but was adopted by Germany, Greece, Portugal, Israel, South Korea, Austria and Egypt.
The M88 hull is welded from rolled steel armor plates. This protects the crew and equipment from shell and bullet fragments. For crew access, armored doors are made along the sides. For an overview, the workplaces of the driver and vehicle commander are equipped with viewing devices. The driver and mechanic are located in the front of the hull, hatches are made above the workplaces and periscopes are mounted. In the middle part of the hull there is a compartment for hydraulic equipment, an engine-transmission compartment in the stern.
The M88 evacuation vehicle is completed with the following equipment: a crane with a lifting capacity of 23 tons, having an A-shaped boom, which is hinged in the front upper part of the body (folded back in the stowed position); main winch (pulling force 40 tons); auxiliary winch; dozer blade with hydraulic drive; welding equipment; various assembly tools.
The defensive armament of the M88 armored recovery vehicle is a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted above the hatch on top of the vehicle. Ammunition - 1300 rounds. In addition, there is equipment for setting up smoke screens.
In 1973, the M88 was upgraded. A diesel engine and a new transmission were installed on the new recovery vehicle. An 11-horsepower auxiliary engine was also installed. The upgraded M88 received the designation M88A1. By 1985, 1,427 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles had been produced, and 876 M88 vehicles were upgraded.
After the M1 Abrams tank was adopted, it turned out that towing it with one M88 was not possible, but two were required. However, they did not begin to resolve this issue for 10 years, and only in 1991 it was decided to create a vehicle capable of towing heavy tanks. For the next 6 years, an improved version of the vehicle was developed, which received the designation M88A2 Hercules HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System - a system for the evacuation and repair of heavy general-purpose military equipment). "Hercules" was put into service in 1997, and in the next year he was still allowed to tow the "Abrams" alone.
On the M88A2 modification, the armor of the front part of the hull was reinforced, a more powerful AVDS-1790-8DR engine and an XT-14105A transmission were installed, the braking system and suspension elements were improved, the winch was replaced with a more tractive effort, and the A-boom crane was lengthened.
With a GVW of 63.5 tonnes (140,000 lb) with an engine power of 1,050 hp The HERCULES is capable of towing another vehicle at speeds up to 42 km / h (26 mph) and weighing 63.5 tonnes. BAE Systems claims a highway range of 480 km (300 miles). The M88A2 is also capable of climbing 60% slope, 1 meter (42 ") high wall, 2.6 meters (103") wide trench.
In 2013, the American army planned to purchase 31 M88A2 machines worth $ 108 million, and by March 2014, another 14 pieces of these machines.
Despite the fact that this armored vehicle has been in service for more than fifty years, is morally outdated and unable to accompany tanks, since it is inferior to them in driving performance, the M88 is still in service with the American army - the program for creating an armored vehicle based on the Abrams was never implemented.
Tactical and technical 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) liquid-cooled gasoline engine.
The maximum speed on the highway is 42 km / h.
In store down the highway - 360 km.
The lifting capacity of the crane is 23 tons.
The pulling force of the winch is 40 tons.
Armament - anti-aircraft machine gun of 12, 7 mm.
M88A1:
Crew - 3 people.
Power plant: 750 hp (55 kW) diesel engine.
The maximum speed is 42 km / h.
The power reserve is 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.
Power plant: 1050 hp diesel engine.
The maximum speed is 42 km / h.
The cruising range is about 480 km.
Prepared based on materials:
armoredgun.org
weaponvideo-ru.livejournal.com
www.fas.org
www.globalsecurity.org
www.inetres.com
