FMS AIFV (Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle) / (M113A1)

History

By the mid-1960s, the U.S. Army had begun to look beyond its ubiquitous line of M113 armored personnel carriers (APCs) for newer armor types to address emerging battlefield threats.

This led to the MICV-65 program, which was eventually realized by the M2 "Bradley" Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) line (detailed elsewhere on this site), but a potential offshoot became the Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV), a further M113A1 product developed and used by many foreign armed forces.

With the support of the Army, FMC Corporation released a new version of the M113A1 under the production designation "XM765", followed by active testing of two pilot vehicles. Major changes to the original design included the installation of launch ports for the passenger cabin, and a fully enclosed motorized turret with a more powerful 25mm automatic cannon.

The purpose of these additions is to reinforce the inherent limitations of the M113 observed when used in the field - greatly expanding the crew's inherent firepower and situational awareness. The turret was an optional device that gave way to a simpler gun ring with a heavy 12.7mm machine gun attached.

Army authorities were not impressed and sought a completely different product, treating the service as M2. However, the XM765 had enough potential that FMC further developed the design for possible export sales.

After several modifications, the AIFV was born and the vehicle was shown to interested parties in the mid-1970s.

The Dutch, fed up with the new tracked machines, were put off by the complexity and expense of the Bradley line to offer a sales contract for the AIFV, which eventually totaled 2,079 units (hundreds of which needed to be assembled at the site). by Dutch industry). While in service with the Dutch Army, the vehicle was designated "YPR-765", and the modernization program brought the group to the operational standard of "YPR-765A1".

The first delivery took place in 1975.

The base model in the Netherlands is the YPR-765 PRI ("Pantser Rups Infantry"), equipped with a 25mm turret mounted automatic cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The basic staff consists of three people with a maximum of seven seats. YPR-765 PRI. The 50 turret was removed and a gun ring was added for a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

Various other forms evolved from the YPR-765 PRCO ("Pantser Rups Commando") model, including the battalion commander's vehicle, mortar control vehicle, and artillery detection vehicle. The YPR-765 PRRDR carries the battlefield surveillance radar and the YPR-765 PRGWT is the ambulance.

The YPR-765 PRMR is armed with a 120mm mobile indirect fire support mortar and the YPR-806 PRBG becomes a special armoured rescue vehicle (ARV).

The Dutch YPR-765 fought in Afghanistan before being transferred to other operators. Frontline models received upgrade kits to protect against guerrilla RPG attacks and improvised explosive devices.

In 1979, the Belgian government followed suit and took over a fleet of 514 AIFVs locally produced. These came out in 1982 and are very similar to the Dutch model. He started his military service in 1985 and eventually sold the property to foreigners.

Belgian variants include the AIFV-B-C25 with a 25mm turret armament and smoke grenade launcher, the AIFV-B-MILAN Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM) launcher and the AIFV-B-. 50 were moderately armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Additionally, the vehicle is loaded with a MILAN ATGM launcher and carries 2 x 71mm mortars. A training format was adopted as AIFV-B-TRG.

The AIFV-B-CP is used as a command post vehicle with appropriate equipment (including local defense via 12.7mm installations).

The Belgian Army uses MOWAG Piranha III 8x8 wheeled vehicles to follow their AIFV route (detailed elsewhere on this page).

The Philippines has contracted for 45 of its own, the base model AIFV-25, with a 25mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. AIFV-ARV is a form of Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV).

The Turkish government added 1,698 AIFVs in 1989, some of which were built at the Belgian factory and the rest completed locally. ACV-AAPC is used to designate the APC form, armed with 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns. In addition to the operator, the cab can accommodate 13 infantrymen.

The ACV-AIFV marks a pair of models with 25mm guns and the ACV-ATV in the anti-tank role, and is equipped with 2 x Hughes BGM-71 TOW rocket launchers. The ACV-AMV was used as a mortar carrier, carrying an 81mm mortar system and a 7.62mm machine gun for local defense.

Further local work by the Turks has resulted in a continued production line of AIFV-related vehicles, including the FNSS' ACV-15/ACV-300 series. Other additions include anti-tank missile (AT) carriers, anti-aircraft variants and armored forms. A pair of branches offers different engines (300 or 350 hp).

In any case, all can be traced back to the US AIFV. The last AIFV variant emerged from the Turkish factory in 2004.

Used operators include Bahrain (ex-Dutch/Belgian), Chile (ex-Dutch/Belgian), Egypt (ex-Dutch/Belgian), Jordan (ex-Dutch-Belgian), Lebanon (ex-Dutch/Belgian) Belgians)), Malaysia, Morocco (ex-Belgians) and the UAE - these are from Turkey. An example is Serbia, which was captured by UN forces during the Yugoslav war in the 1990s.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

180x25mm projectile.

1,840x7.62mm ammo.

Changes