US Army conducts critical tests on future M88A3 Hercules armored recovery vehicle.

As reported by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on April 30, 2024, the M88A3 Hercules Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) is presently undergoing reliability and maintainability (RAM) testing at Yuma Proving Ground. According to Test Officer Yoselyn Vargas of the Combat Automotive System Division, such testing is indispensable for verifying the functionality and durability of military vehicles, especially with the introduction of new upgrades.
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Currently, two M88A3 Hercules are undergoing testing, covering a combined distance of 6,000 miles, with simulated loads weighing around 80 tons. (Picture source: US DoD)

Currently, two M88A3 Hercules vehicles are undergoing testing, covering a combined distance of 6,000 miles, with each vehicle individually completing 3,000 miles. The testing evaluates various aspects, including hoisting and winching capabilities, with simulated loads weighing around 80 tons. Testing commenced in mid-March 2024 and is slated to continue throughout the year, reflecting the thorough assessment required for such critical equipment.

Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is also actively involved in M88A3 Hercules testing, deploying four vehicles for performance and RAM testing. Their testing focuses on assessing the vehicle's longevity, particularly in the sandy conditions unique to their environment. While APG's testing shares similarities with Yuma Proving Ground's, the sandy conditions provide a distinct challenge that necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle's capabilities.

Unveiled in 2018, the M88A3 Hercules aims to surpass its predecessor, the M882, by offering improved performance, especially in rescuing heavier modern tanks like the M1A2 Abrams SEP v.3, without requiring the assistance of a second vehicle, addressing a critical gap in US Army's single-vehicle recovery operations on the battlefield, where operational efficiency is deemed paramount.

The M88A3 Hercules is the latest version of the M88 armored recovery vehicle series developed by BAE Systems for the US Army. To increase operational efficiency and reduce logistical demands, BAE Systems developed this model, enhancing its performance, survivability, and responsiveness through various upgrades, including a modernized powertrain, a seventh road wheel for stability, and hydro-pneumatic suspension units to enhance mobility and recovery operations across diverse terrains.

The primary goal of these upgrades was to increase the vehicle's towing, winching, and hoisting capacities from 70 tons to 80 tons, aligning it with the growing weight of modern vehicles and ensuring its effectiveness in battlefield scenarios. Additionally, the design updates of the M88A3 Hercules feature an upgraded Caterpillar C32 ACERT engine, which provides improved horsepower and torque, and enhanced armored protection for increased survivability, resulting in an overall weight of approximately 78,000 kg.

In September 2019, BAE Systems received a contract from the U.S. Army, worth about $318 million, to upgrade M88A2 vehicles to the M88A3 configuration. This upgrade is being carried out at multiple BAE Systems facilities across the U.S., including in York, Pennsylvania; Aiken, South Carolina; Anniston, Alabama; and Sterling Heights, Michigan.

The M88A3 Hercules is a heavy recovery vehicle designed to accommodate a crew of a driver, mechanic, and commander, along with the crew of a recovered main battle tank. Powered by a Caterpillar C32 Acert engine, generating a gross horsepower of 1,350 hp, the M88A3 can reach speeds of approximately 56 km/h, with a cruising range of about 405 kilometers. The vehicle can navigate challenging terrains with a 60% slide slope, cross trenches up to 2.6 meters wide, and overcome vertical obstacles up to 1 meter high. Measuring 8.5 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 3.1 meters in height, the Hercules possesses a ground clearance of over 40.6 cm. In terms of capacity, this armored recovery vehicle features a hoisting capacity of approximately 36,287 kg, a pick and carry capacity of about 29,030 kg, and a total recovery capacity of around 72,575 kg, making it suitable for heavy-duty recovery operations.