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The M113AS4 is an Australian-made upgrade of the old M113AS1 and M113AS3 which are based on the American M113A1 tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC), one of the most popular light tracked APCs in the world. The project of the Australian M113 upgrade was led by BAE Systems. The decade long project to upgrade 433 M113 vehicles began in 2002, with the first completed vehicle delivered to the customer in January 2007. While the upgraded Australian M113s look similar to how they would have in the 1970s, they are ‘a generational leap ahead’ with improved firepower, protection and habitability from the original M113 A1 vehicle. The finished vehicles are also more reliable and faster following the upgrade. The Australian Army operates a fleet of some 800 members of the M113 series of full-tracked armoured personnel carriers in different variants including ambulance, fire support, command post, mortar carrier, recovery and load carrier vehicles. The M113AS4 is currently the standard tracked APC of the Australian armed forces. The M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is an all-terrain vehicle designed to protect and transport its crew and up to ten Infantry personnel. In September 1996, the Australian Department of Defence selected the now Tenix Defence Systems Pty Ltd, Australia to upgrade 364 of the Australian Army's fleet of M113A1 series of full-tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to extend their operational life through to the year 2010.
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| Variants: |
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- In the Australian army, the M113 family of vehicles includes seven variants - the APC, Armoured Fitters, Armoured Recovery Vehicle Light, Armoured Ambulance, Armoured Mortar, Armoured Command Vehicle and Armoured Logistic Vehicle. The diverse family of M113 vehicles provides an essential capability for maintaining and supporting armoured assets in the field with minimal logistic support.
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| Technical Data |
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| Armament |
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The standard APC version of M113AS4 is fitted with a one-man turret from Tenix Defence Systems armed with FN HERSTAL 12.7 mm M2 machine gun. The Tenix Defence Systems was specially designed for the Australian M113 series APC and provides the commander with more space and vision as well as greater reliability. Turret traverse and weapon elevation is powered and the day/night sight, provided by Electro Optic Systems, enables targets to be engaged under day and night conditions. Ammunition loading is from a 250 ready round bin. Dual-mode electric drives offer single-handed operation in powered mode and reversionary mode is maintained via manual hand cranks.
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| Design and protection |
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The hull of the M113AS4 is all-welded aluminium armour which provides protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. The armour of the M113AS4 was upgraded with add-on ceramic armour to provide 360° protection against weapons of 14.5mm caliber. The hull was also reinforced with additional protection against landmines and IEDs blast. The troop's compartment floor is fitted with spall liners based on the German Army IBD Modular Expandable Armour System. The driver sits at the front of the hull on the left side with the engine compartment to the right of the driver. At the rear is the troop's compartment which can accommodate a total of 10 infantrymen. The infantryman enters and leaves the M113AS4 via a power-operated ramp in the rear of the hull that opens downwards and has a door on the left side.
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| Mobility |
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The M113AS4 is motorized with an MTU 6V 199 TE20 diesel engine coupled to a ZF LSG 1000R automatic transmission with external fuel tanks, new tracks and brakes and improved suspension. Compared to the standard US M113, the M113AS4 is stretched by adding a sixth road wheel to increase the internal volume. The torsion bar suspension on either side consists of six dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. The M113AS4 can run at a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km.
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| Accessories |
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Standard equipment of the M113AS4 includes Air control Technologies for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that also includes a cool water drinking system, automatic fire detection and suppression system. The M113AS4 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks. Steering when afloat is the same as on land. Before entering the water the two bilge pumps are switched on and the trim vane, which folds back onto the glacis plate when not in use, is extended at the front of the hull. A white searchlight is mounted at the right of the main armament.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 12.7mm machine gun
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Country users
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Australia
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Designer Country
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Australia - United States
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Accessories
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Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, automatic fire detection and suppression system.
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Crew
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2 + 10
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Armor
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Protection against weapons of 14.5mm caliber
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Weight
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18,000 kg combat weight
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Speed
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65 km/h
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Range
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500 km
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Dimensions
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Length: 6.0 m; Width: 2.62 m; Height: 2.6 m
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