Specifications:
*Every variant far below 17 tons with full equipment
* Inland Amphibious (at least without add-on armour)
*Ocean Amphibious with ARIS GATOR kit
* C-130H/J, Boeing 747, C-141B, C-17A, C-5A/B airland fixed-wing aircraft air-transportable
* C-130H/J, C-141B, C-17A, C-5A/B fixed-wing parachute airdrop
* CH-47F and CH-53E helicopter lift the M113A4 with no add-on armor
* Metal tracks with add-on armor: 16hp/tons power-to-weight ratio; vehicle slightly slower and less range
* Band Tracks compensate for add-on armor weight, 20 hp/tons power-to-weight ratio but dynamic components are not as robust (mission decision trade-off)
We've tried to list the design changes of probable M113A4 (only differences to M113A3) below;
M113A4 Gavin
(true interim upgrade before 2005) all M113A4 variants have:
1. Band Tracks
...and necessary changes for it (reduces weight and vibration and noise and resistant on other than sand surfaces, mine-resistant, probably heat resistant due to incorporated Nomex)
2. Seats hanging on the roof for better mine-explosion shock protection
3. Off-the-shelf Inertial Navigation System (giving one mil accuracy even when GPS is jammed)
4. Infrared camouflage measures and coverings
5. LVOSS multi-spectral smoke dischargers (minimal change)
6. Rear-driving camera, switch for steering (allows driving backwards without turning/exposing thiner rear armor)
7. M18 Claymore command-detonated mines on the sides (for close-in defense, more effective than firing ports)
8. USMC new tank crew or U.S. Army 21st Century Land Warrior helmet with weapons station aiming/firing capability in event Track Commander dismounts from M113A4, and H&K MP7 PDW or M4 5.56mm carbine for driver & commander
9. Spaced non-reactive add-on armor vs. RPG-7 HEAT and 30mm API (frontal 90°) and at least 14.5mm API (90° sides)
10. Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) tile fittings as war option
11. Commander's stabilized turret with ASP-30mm, M134 7.62mm minigun, Javelin ATGM launcher, SACMFCS with M49 ARD, bullet-proof 360° windows and hatch, iron sights for head-out emergency gun operation, 30mm HEDP, AHEAD rounds for ASP-30)
12. Wing Gunner's non-stabilized weapon station with M240B 7.62mm MMG, Mk19 40mm or .50 cal HMG and gunshields
13. All new hatches that double as gunshields (360° train, 180° elevation, possible to lock in any elevation) also for the squad in the rear's top troop hatch
13. Some additional bouyancy volume for amphibious capability with increased weight, M163 Vulcan external bouyancy kit on applique' armor
14. Semi-Fixed M40A2 RR firing HE 106mm rounds
Or better: HESH or thermobaric rounds fired forward for breaching close obstacles (if mounted tripod on vehicle also useable with detached SACMFCS)
15. PDCue counter-sniper system (Israelian precise acoustic detection of snipers only with nearby sonic boom, direction/elevation/range)
Specialized variants of M113A4:
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
(ASP-30, M134, Javelin ATGM launcher, limited-arc 106mm M40A2 RR, PDCue counter-sniper system, add-on armour, dismounting infantry squad of 9)
Armored Personnel Carrier
(M2 HMG and Mk19 40mm with gunshields, add-on armour, PDCue, squad of 10-12)
Mobile Gun System
Spanish dual 106mm M40 TC7/106 turret, M240 MMG wing guns, add-on armour)
Heavy mortar
Internal 120mm mortar or AMOS 120mm mortar turret, M240 MMG wing guns, Mk19 or .50 cal HMG TC station) or automortar (to 81mm modified 2B9 Vasilek capable of direct fire, PDCue, add-on armour
Paramedics
No rear hatches, no armament, APPLIQUE and ERA ARMOR, full trauma unit equipment inside, oxygen, battery power, refridgeration for whole blood/plasma, digital hospital link
C4I
(no rear hatches, C4I equipment including SigInt, add-on armour, M240, Mk-19)
Anti-tank destroyer
Elevatable FOTT turret (ETS), add-on armour, M240B MMG wing-guns, Mk-19 or .50 cal HMG TC's station
Cavalry RSTA
Forward observer sensors including Squire battlefield radar, 2 dismounting observers, M240B MMG wing guns and Mk19 or .50 cal HMG TC's station and M548 supply carrier (M240B MMG and Mk19 or .50 cal HMG, only-in emergency squad of 12)
Multiple Rocket Launcher
XM1108 configuration. Several 19x pods of 70mm Hydra rockets on roof, similar to RD-MRWS trailer, M2 .50 cal HMG with gunshield)
Sapper Tank
Dozer blade, winch, sapper attachments, add-on armour, M240 MMG wing guns, Mk-19 or .50 cal HMG TC's station
Battering ram
Battering ram or dozer blade; IFV with such add-ons, squad of 9
3D MOUT
Boom ladder or assault capsule; APC with such add-ons, squad of 10)
Fire Fighter
Fire fighting pumper; APC with such add-on
CONCLUSION:
M113A4 for:
Rapid-reaction 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions
National Guard Brigades
M113A4 as third part in the Abrams/Bradley team in Heavy Divisions,
M113A4 Gavins for every second IBCT
New generation vehicle taking over in 82nd and 101st Div after 2005
1. Entire vehicle hull composed of composite armor
As successfully tested already in 1985 by USMC and U.S. Army (same weight, 12.7m API resistant without add-on applique', no spall liner necessary, not burning/heat resistant)
2. Hybrid diesel-electric drive (HED)
Maximum power 500hp, boosts maximum speed and range and acceleration, saves space and weight
3. infrared enhanced driver's vision (hardened civilian off-the shelf)
4. Some electronics/C2 stuff as usual then
5. Greater advances in infrared and radar camouflage
6. Same weight for air transport as M113A4
7. High road speed
8. Greater range: 600 miles
9. Stealth, quiet operation
10. Similar or better than M113A4 in everything