In 1969, the FMC Corporation undertook in-house development of a new multi-purpose four-wheeled military vehicle designed to handle several battlefield-minded roles. The United States Army's interest in its capabilities peaked when it committed to a procurement order of ten prototype examples under the designation of "XR311". The vehicle was considered in a few differing configurations - Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) carrier, fast reconnaissance and escort/security. The missile carrier was procured in four examples (these armed with the TOW missile launcher), the reconnaissance model in three (with 1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun) and the escort/security model in three (with 3 x 7.62mm machine guns and additional chassis armor). A standard operating crew was three personnel while power was delivered from a V8 gasoline-fueled engine of 187 horsepower @ 4,000rpm fitted to a rear compartment. This was coupled to a 3-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite A727 series automatic transmission. The vehicle weighed in at 6,300lbs and featured a road speed topping 80 miles per hour with a 0-60 time of 12 seconds. Operating ranges were limited to 300 miles while the chassis was capable of crossing 20-inch-high vertical obstacles and fording depths up to 30 inches. A pair of prototypes were made ready for evaluation in 1970.
For its military-minded service, the vehicle was completed with full-time 4x4 wheel drive with the forward axle being steerable (under power-assist). A light steel sheet metal armor skin was used to cover the steel tube roll cage within. A skid plate mounted under the chassis allowed the vehicle to traverse extremely rocky/uneven terrain with some security from becoming stuck in place. Each rubber-tired road wheel was independently suspended for improved cross-country mobility. Dimensionally, the XR311 was given a running length of 4.3 meters, width of 2 meters and height to hull roof of 1.6 meters. The entire vehicle was coated in a non-reflecting black matte finish.
Externally, the vehicle was of a conventional arrangement with the driver seated behind a steering column in the usual way. A twin-panel windscreen protected the frontal view while the sides, rear and top of the cabin were optionally left open. The roll bar assembly ran behind the cabin and across center. The six-shot TOW missile launcher was fitted overhead on the center beam. Stowage boxes were situated to either side of the engine installation at rear and additional tow launcher tubes could be fixed on mountings over the front wheel fenders. All pertinent systems gauges were installed along a contained dash area near the steering column. The gear stick control was between the two frontal seats while there proved a small area behind the seats for additional crew or storage (the passenger front seat was noticeably larger in size for two possible occupants. The engine compartment was well-ventilated through slits across the top and grating along the back facing.
While tested by the United States Army (through the 2nd Armored Division into 1974), the XR311 was never ordered for serial production, leaving the few completed units in existence (the US Army eventually committed to the 4x4 HUMVEE series in 1984). One XR311 example sits at the indoor display of the Russell Military Museum in northern Illinois - this version fitted with the multi-shot TOW missile system and over-fender TOW launchers. While not formally adopted, US Army interest in the XR311 inevitably led to other like-minded special fast wheeled developments such as the Chenoweth Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV).
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Reconaissance
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.
✓Utility
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.
✓Special Purpose
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.
Weight
6,299 lb 2,857 kg
Tonnage
3.1 tons LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base FMC XR311 (G.I. Hotrod) production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
Powerplant:
1 x V8 gasoline engine developing 187 horsepower at 4,000 rpm.
ANTI-TANK VARIANT:
1 x TOW 6-shot, anti-tank missile launcher (10 x TOW AT missiles) OR 1 x 106mm recoilless rifle (6 x 106mm projectiles).
ARMED RECONNAISSANCE VARIANT:
1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun OR 1 x 7.62mm general purpose machine gun OR 1 x 40mm XM174 automatic grenade launcher on ring mount.
ESCORT/SECURITY VARIANT:
1 x 7.62mm general purpose machine gun OR 1 x 40mm XM174 automatic grenade launcher on pintle mount.
Supported Types
(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
Various ammunition loadouts as dictated by selected armament or mission requirement.
XR311 - Base Series Designation
XR311 (Anti-Tank) - Four examples delivered with TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher.
XR311 (Armed Reconnaissance) - Three examples delivered with 1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
XR311 (Escort/Security) - Three examples delivered with 3 x 7.62mm general purpose machine guns.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.
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