The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the direct named successor to the venerable M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) series debuted with the American Army during the 1960s. The new type retains the former's track-and-wheel arrangement but offers more versatility through inherently modularity, enhancements to make the vehicle a viable modern battlefield contributor, and more internal volume for both troops and mission equipment. The design is rooted in the Army's proven M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) - most notably lacking the powered, cannon-armed turret of the original.
The U.S. Army selected the British BAe Systems design in 2014 and this was followed by extensive development and testing by way of pilot vehicles debuted in late-2016, resulting in an initial batch of 2,897 scheduled for procurement by the service. Serial production began in September of 2020 and first-deliveries have since followed in March of 2023. The M113 currently (2023) maintains an active status in the Army inventory with 4,800 available and a further 8,000 hulls in storage. One-hundred thirty hulls of the newer AMPV are currently showcased in the active Army inventory (2023).
The AMPV family is set to encompass a variety of hull types for dedicated battlefield roles. This includes the troop-carrying M1283 followed by more specialist-minded forms in the M1274 MEDEVAC platform, the M1285 Medical Treatment vehicle, the M1286 Command and Control (C2) offering, and the M1287 mortar carrier. The AMPV will continue the mobile support function of the original M113 and bring with it the collection of aforementioned improvements as well as full digitalization and modernization. While dimensionally larger, and therefore heavier, than the older M113, the AMPV satisfies a greater portion of Army requirements through a singular design. Up to 78% more internal volume is had in the newer offering compared to the old M113.
Six rubber-tired road wheels was afforded to each hull side and these provide the needed traction and propulsion with the track-link network, giving the vehicle excellent off road traversal in keeping with the main advancing force. The drive sprocket sits at front with the track idler at rear. Side armor skirts protect the track-link upper regions from small arms fire and artillery spray. An armored, powered turret is seated over the front of the hull to provide for suppression of enemy troops via 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun solutions as well as support for a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher. Beyond station hatches, primary entry-exit access is through a large powered door found at the rear hull facing and this is further protected by side outcroppings for embarking / disembarking troops. The driver takes up a position at front-left with the turret emplacement direct above and aft of this. Bolt-on armor and "cage" armor can be affixed to various facings of the vehicle to further enhance combat survivability in contested zones. Two banks of smoke grenade dischargers are seated at the glacis plate offer an on-call self-screening effect.
The AMPV is a product of the U.S. Army's "Next Generation Combat Vehicle" (NGCV) that seeks to modernize the service based on decades of combat experience in the theaters of Afghanistan and Iraq. The program has also resulted in the M10 "Booker" Mobile Assault Gun System detailed elsewhere on the Military Factory and also seeks to find a suitable replacement for the aging line of Cold War-era M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks. A selection of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are also planned through the optimistic, far-reaching program as is a successor to the veteran M2 Bradley line itself (this entry as the "XM30").
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the AMPV Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
1 x Turbocharged diesel engine driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement. Installed Power
40 mph 65 kph Road Speed
280 miles 450 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the AMPV Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
2 (MANNED) Crew
21.5 ft 6.55 meters O/A Length
11.8 ft 3.6 meters O/A Width
9.8 ft 3 meters O/A Height
55,116 lb 25,000 kg | 27.6 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV / M1283) Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
1 x 7.62mm M240B Medium Machine Gun (MMG) OR 1 x 12.7mm M2HB Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) OR 1 x 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL).
8 x Smoke grenade dischargers on glacis plate.
AMMUNITION: Dependent upon armament fit. Also any personal weapons carried by the crew.
8 x Smoke grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV / M1283) family line.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV / M1283). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 130 Units Contractor(s): BAe Systems - UK
[ United States ]
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Similar Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV / M1283) Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
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