M113AS UPGRADEBAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA

M113 AS4 VEHICLEThe integrated vehicle system designed, developed and delivered by BAE Systems allows the M113 to be in active service for many years to come.

While the upgraded M113s look similar to how they would have in the 1970’s, 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 AS4 standard applies to seven ‘six-road-vehicle station’ variants and uses modified existing M113A1 hulls.

Around 40 per cent of the vehicles are fitted with the BAE Systems Turret, providing a highly effective weapon system. The turret features electric drives and weapon mounts for either M2HBQCB .50 cal or MAG58 7.62mm machine guns. 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.

For enhanced protection and safety, crew commanders can maintain excellent vision of supporting dismounted infantry. All-round vision under armour is provided as standard, with a magnified day channel and night channel through the crew commander’s Image Intensifier sight. An automatic fume-extraction system and fire-inhibit zones are also incorporated.

In terms of comfort and ease of use, the crew commander’s environment is ergonomically structured to recognised international military and Australian standards, with all turret instrumentation within the commander’s primary field of vision zone.

The stretched hull, utilising the chassis-extension approach developed by FFG, enables: • Same sponson shape and height,

allowing common internal fit-outs• Increased usable space in the crew

compartment (the engine bulkhead does not intrude into the compartment)

• Shared standard components such as torsion bars, engine and cooling system.

The Armoured Logistics Vehicle also offers a unique capability in the global M113 market. It allows logistics elements to have the same mobility and protection characteristics as the combat variants.

AS A PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR PROJECT LAND 106, BAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPGRADE OF 433 AUSTRALIAN ARMY M113A1 VEHICLES TO AS4 STANDARDS, ENABLING ACTIVE SERVICE TO 2020 AND BEYOND.

M113 UPGRADE PROJECT OVERVIEWThe decade long project to upgrade 433 M113 vehicles began in 2002, with the first completed vehicle delivered to the customer in January 2007.

Over the life of the project, more than 1000 people were involved in the project at three sites and in two states – at Bandiana and Williamstown in Victoria and Wingfield in South Australia.

More than a million hours went into the project which included cutting and stretching the hulls and the design and integration of new sub-systems into the seven M113 vehicle variants. (The M113 is effectively zero lifed with new MTU power pack, ZF transmission, cooling system, drive, suspension, steering, brakes and tracks). At its peak, BAE Systems delivered on average three vehicles per week.

The project was supported by military vehicle sub-system suppliers from BAE Systems’ Australian subcontractor base of over 1700 small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and German firm FFG was chosen as the major technology partner.

The final vehicle was completed three months ahead of the contracted December 2012 deadline.

• 10 YEAR PROJECT• REQUIRED MORE THAN ONE MILLION HOURS• IN EXCESS OF 6000 INDIVIDUAL CUTS• 45000 KG OF WELDING WIRE USED• BANDIANA ASSEMBLED 305 VEHICLES,

WINGFIELD ASSEMBLED 128 VEHICLES AND WILLIAMSTOWN STRETCHED 108 HULLS

AT A GLANCE

Improved seating and external stowage layouts

Appliqué armour and spall curtains added

Fuel tanks relocated outside vehicle (except ARVL, ALV)

New suspension

AS4 vehicle hull stretched; extra road-wheel added

Twin-caliper large disk brakes with dual hydraulic circuit; separate parking brake

T50 Turrett replaced with BAE Systems Turret

EURO III four-stroke DaimlerChrylser-MTU engine, 6V199TE, 261kW (350bhp). New powerpack common to all variants

ZF LSG 1000 R transmission with 6 forward gears, 2 reverse

Cooling system capable of operating in 440C ambient conditions

Hull reinforcement to improve mine-blast protection

Yoke steering with true pivot turn and natural steering input in reverse

M113AS4 APC(S)DATA SUMMARYMass• Unladen: 11,600kg• Max loading 18,000kgDimensions• Length: 6,000 mm• Width: 2,620 mmBridge Classification• 18tFinal Drive• Manufacturer: FFGElectrical System 24V• No. of batteries: Four

SLAB• Terminal grounded:

Negative• Radio suppression:

MIL-STD-461D• Alternator: 205A• Regulator: SLAB -

compatible, temperature-compensated

Fuel• Type: Diesel (two external

tanks)• Capacity: 360 ltPerformance• Range: approx. 500 kms

under specified conditions• Speed: max 65km/hr

Full Designation Abbreviation UpgradeArmoured Personnel Carrier M113AS4 APC New turret and enhanced protection/mobility

Armoured Fitters M113AS4 AF New crane capacity and reach. New capacity to carry power pack

Armoured Mortar M125AS3 AM Enhanced protection and mobility

Armoured Ambulance M113AS4 AA New capability based on variant of the AF

Armoured Command Vehicle M113AS4 ACV New capability based on the variant of the AF

Armoured Recovery Vehicle Light M806AS4 ARVL New winch capacity to suit upgraded fleet

Armoured Logistics Vehicle M113AS4 ALV New logistics capability with crew under armour

ENHANCING CAPABILITIES, BUILDING STRENGTH

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BAE SystemsTaranaki RoadEdinburgh ParksEDINBURGH SA 5111PO Box 1068 Salisbury SA 5108Telephone +61 (0)8 8480 8888Fax +61 (0)8 8480 8800www.baesystems.com.au/australia

This document gives only a general description of the product(s) or services except where expressly provided otherwise shall not form part of any contract. From time to time, changes may be made in the products or the conditions of supply.

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