The "Hunters" and the "Killers", Known as "Black Death"   To the Cav Troopers of the New 2nd US Cavalry Advanced Armored Cavalry Regiment, I Salute You! There are Hundreds of Pages and Opinions on How the Rapid Assult Force works. The response time, from articles read has been cut from 96 hours to 18 hours, which does not allow enough time for consultation between the Different Branches of Service. Based on some of the  principals of the Air Cav of the Vietnam Era, the Rapid Assult Force Troopers are Trained as Paratroopers, Helicopter Pilots, Armor and Mobil Air Defense Artillery. Further, the Troopers of this Elite Group will be trained in the latest Stealth Technology and Eye in the Sky. These Troopers are to have at their disposal  the Latest Equipment from ALL Branches, to provide Massive Firepower with Quick Strike Capabilities, known as the "Hunters" and "Killers". Below is a list of the Proposed Command Structure, Armaments and Air Transport/Support, along with descriptions of What is to Be Accomplished. Further Pages add Detail to the Armaments, Transports, etc. There is also a Photo Abum. Here is a description of what Q troup does: Rapidly deploy to a designated area of operations and occupy a tactical assembly area; conduct reconnaissance, security, and attack helicopter operations anywhere in the world; prepared to fight on arrival and win. The Outlaws provide reconnaissance, target acquisition, and attack helicopter capability to the world renowned 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light). Their weapon of choice is the armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The Air Cavalry Troop in a Light Regimental Aviation Squadron consists of three platoons. They are named 1st, 2nd, and HQ. The 1st and 2nd platoon have 8 x OH-58D Kiowa Warriors each and are responsible for maintaining them and conducting missions in support of the Squadron and Regiment. The HQ platoon supports the line platoons with food, water, mail and anything else the members of the unit might need to perform their mission. The Outlaws have operated throughout the United States as well as in the Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe. While patrolling the waters of the Persian Gulf the Outlaw attacks on Iranian boats were swift and lethal. In response, the Iranians labeled these skilled Aviators "Black Death."  Command The 2nd AACR (LR-AMSG) would be commanded by a Brigadier General. His staff would include his Deputy Commander who would be from the U.S. Air Force to injure joint inter-operability. The 2nd AACR would be configured to plug into the Regional warfighting CINC’s Joint Land Force Component commander (JLFCC) or Task Force (TF) command structure as-is. Joint Regimental Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence (C4I) Regimental StaffDigital Geospatial Information Platoon Joint Airborne Air Assault Pathfinder Platoon (JAAPP)Military Intelligence "reach-back" Company Joint-operable Signal CompanyCombat Ground Mobility Battalion Pioneer Assault Company Expeditionary airfield construction company Sustainment Battalion Heavy Drop Parachute Rigger Detachment Nuclear, Biological, Chemical/smokescreen Warfare Company (M93 Fox, M58 Wolfs) Aeromedical Flight Company 3D "Blue Zone" Forces 1st, 2nd and 3rd Armored Cavalry Squadrons Gavin Cavalry Scout Troops: "The hunters" Replacing the current ineffective HMMWV trucks would be upgraded M113A3 Gavin Cavalry Scout Vehicles (G-CSVs) with "Leap Ahead" technologies: PHASE I Band tracks for no-maintenance/stealth RPG/autocannon resistant modular, situation-dependant applique armor Infared camouflage coverings to be invisible to thermal observation ASP-30mm autocannon for greater firepower than a .50 cal HMG FBCB2 C4I digital comms Lightweight hatches A crack, 4-man Scout Team on parachute jump status, also Air Assault helicopter qualified PHASE II Hybrid-Electric Drive for 600 mile range and silent operation Unlimited sensor use without having to give position away cranking engines to recharge LRAS sensor system or elevated mast sensor to see over the horizon in defilade Small 2-man All-Terrain Vehicle and folding All-Terrain Bikes for scouts to foray out from their Gavin which hold vital supplies for extended operations. The ATV could also be sent forward remotely to send back real-time information stream without compromising exact team locations. Selected Teams with a scout-tracker dog to provide elevated sensory awareness of signs of enemy and mines/explosives 30mm 1-man autocannon/Javelin ATGM turret Body narrowing to roll-on/roll-off from CH-47D/F helicopters The Gavin Cavalry Scout Troops would be on parachute jump status to deploy within 18 hours with the 82nd Airborne to provide a Battalion-sized covering force from Fort Polk, Louisiana. The Gavin CavScout Troop would continually train at the co-located Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) to hone complex terrain covering force skills to a high level, encapsulating lessons learned to drive the S&T program for the Tracer FSCS program and other AACRs to be stood up for the Army until the objective force is fielded. Once in the Drop Zone, the Gavin CavScout Troop could be maneuvered boldly by its own 2D propulsion with great degrees of stealth to catch the enemy by surprise or remain undetected as we shape the battlefield to our designs. Once organic 4th Air Cavalry Squadron CH-47D/F Chinook/SpeedHook helicopters are in the area of operation, they can be used to transport Gavin Scout Teams and their G-CSVs in short extended or projected FLOT movements to bypass problem areas and get into named areas of interest for intelligence gathering and positional security. We name the "leap ahead" M113A3/4 after Army Airborne General James M. Gavin who lead the way in creation of Army 3D Airborne and Air Assault forces by his forceful advocacy in writing, leadership-by-example in combat actions and tenure as Army’s Chief of Research and development in the 1950s. His famous quote is at the top of this document. Buford Cavalry Assault Vehicle Weapons Company: "the killers" The U.S. Army has learned the hard way in combat, that CavScouts must be protected by armored firepower when, not if stealth is lost. In WWII, the most effective combination was the armored scout carrier/light tank and we are replicating the wisdom of this robust, able-to-break enemy contact force structure by a scout APC/tank combination using "leap ahead" stealth technologies. Most of these are add-ons that can be done by the troops themselves. PHASE I Band tracks for no-maintenance/stealth RPG/autocannon resistant modular, situation-dependant applique armor Infared camouflage coverings to be invisible to thermal observation FBCB2 C4I digital comms Lightweight hatches 3-man crew on parachute jump status, also Air Assault helicopter qualified PHASE II Hybrid-Electric Drive for 600 mile range and silent operation Unlimited sensor use without having to give position away cranking engines to recharge Float screen (or better system) to swim like M551 Sheridan had Body narrowing to roll-on/roll-off from CH-47D/F helicopters The M8 B-CavAssault Vehicles provide shoot-on-the-move tank killing firepower to prevail/break contact in surprise meeting engagements if they cannot be avoided. They provide the full 105mm family of rounds to render fire support against enemy hard, point targets like bunkers, buildings, walls to facilitate recon and security forces as the dual escort vehicles for 2 x G-CavScout Vehicles. The M8 B-CAVs can fly by USAF C-130s and CH-53E/X helicopters of the Navy/Mc. We name the M8 after Union Army Cavalry General John Buford who seized the high ground at Gettysburg and defended it with firepower to insure we would fight our opponents on superior ground. This one action set the stage, shaping the battle for a decisive Union victory that insured a favorable outcome for the war and preservation of our nation’s union. Each Squadron’s Weapons company has a 120mm Mortar Troop using the M1064A3 Gavin Cavalry Mortar Vehicle (G-CMV) to provide immediate smoke, long-range area and precision indirect fires for the G-CSV Scout Teams in contact with the enemy. Nicknames: CavScout Vehicles = upgraded M113A3 Gavins CavAssault Vehicles = M8 Buford Armored Gun Systems CavMort Vehicles = M1064A3 Gavin 120mm mortar carriers Kinnard 4th Air Cavalry Squadron: "the flyers" Missing from today’s institutional memory is the great synergy that existed between the Air and Ground Cavalry units of the Vietnam war. UH-60N SpeedHawk Troop The Piasecki Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) and wings system would be added to UH-60s to facilitate 200 mph and 2,000 mile range self-deployment capabilities and increase combat capability/survivability, creating a "SpeedHawk". UH-60L Blackhawks (before upgrades) and SpeedHawks after Phase II would operate as either armed gun/rocket/missile ships and as foot scout and Ridgway CavRecon Vehicle transports. CH-47D/F/G SpeedHook Squadron The Chinook Squadron facilitates air-mech movement of any Gavin equipped troop and/or Ridgways in the RSTA Squadron. They can bulk resupply units bypassing roads and obstacles to enhance, sustain deep recon and security operations. High-altitude stand-off precision parachutes like GPADS-L and GPADS-M can be attached to supply loads by the Regiment’s Riggers roll off the rear ramp of Chinooks to effect offset delivery away from enemy air defenses and maintain stealth for the unit being sustained. To gain self-deployability for the CH-47 Fleet would be even be cheaper than a UH-60 "Ring-Tail" modification because it would not involve any flight control modifications and some of the flight test data from the Boeing 347 project may be applicable. The Army Plans to replace the engines in the CH-47F model anyway, so why not adapt a turbine/turbofan to also propel it forward to create lift over wings and unload the rotors for higher speeds and longer-ranges? The wings and tail cone should be straight-forward. This concept would solve one of the chief complaints of a compound aircraft and that is the extra complexity associated with additional engines and or propeller systems and modified flight control systems. This would involve no increase in moving parts, assuming the gearbox transferring power from shafts to fan is about as complex as the one on their now. Pilot training would be minimal and maintenance would be very similar to current aircraft. A high-bypass turbofan would do wonders at reducing the heat exhaust of the turbo shafts by mixing the exhaust wit lots of cool air thus reducing the vulnerability of heat-seeking missiles. The extra 80+ mph or so would also reduce air defense exposure times and increase sortie rates up to 50% which would speed up aerial logistics and finally the extra range would allow the TSB to be placed farther away from the enemy. For the Army, the CH-47G SpeedHook configuration would offer reasonable self-deployability that meets General Shinseki's 96 hour timeline. It would also add fuel (range) without drag penalty like the MH-47 king size tanks do without any benefit. I beleive that the Hub Page for most of the pages I viewed to present this summary is:            http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2116/2ndaacr.htm   Wally Quick Assult Photo Album

AIRMECHANIZATION: THE NEXT GENERATION --   Military Review, 1992. Colonel Wallace P. Franz, Army of the United States, Retired is a graduate of Stanford University, He is a combat veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. In addition to serving on staff of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as the director, Simulations and War Gaming Branch, and director, Combat Theory, at the U.S. Army War College, Caldwell Barracks, Pennsylvania. The post cold-war era presents a number of challenges for the U.S. military. On one hand, the United States emerges as the only true superpower, having just demonstrated its military prowess in the war with Iraq; on the other, defense spending is being cut, and the Armed Forces are being reduced in size. As the remaining superpower, the United States will be expected to act as such. How can the United States meet its commitments through-out the world in the face of a drastic reduction in the defense budget? The recent Gulf War provides some significant insights about modern warfare. It appears that the United States will be able to maintain its air and naval superiority for years to come due to the excellence of its professional personnel and high– tech weapon systems. The United States had little trouble defeating one of the better-armed Third World nations. The Gulf War did point out the difficulty in moving heavy mechanized forces thousands of miles to a distant theater of operations. The shortage of strategic airlift and sealift is likely to continue due to a lack of funding in these areas. There is a need to study the effects of modern technology on ground forces and how they can be made more responsive to the requirements of the future. Can smaller, lighter Army units, through a combination of technology, speed and maneuver, produce the combat power required to defeat a heavy mechanized force anywhere in the world? They can, by organizing and equipping Army combat aviation to function as a maneuver element with the ability to hold ground. The U.S. Army is expected to reduce its personnel by 25 percent in the next few years. Aided by modern technology, Armies will move from labor-intensive to capital-intensive combat forces . . . . [It] will reduce its manpower requirements and increase its spending on land combat systems with enhanced mobility and firepower. The nature of land warfare continues to change as nations mechanize their armies. Modern "post-industrial" societies find it difficult to maintain large Armies due to fiscal restraints and demographic conditions. The U.S. Army is expected to reduce its personnel by 25 percent in the next few years. Aided by modern technology, armies will move from labor–intensive to capital-intensive combat forces. Both the Navy and the Air Force have been capital-intensive services since their inception, relying on expensive weapon systems platforms to generate combat power. The Army will reduce its manpower requirements and increase its spending on land combat systems with enhanced mobility and firepower. AirLand Operations expects battles in the 21st century to be fought by fewer Soldiers equiped with "high–tech" weaponry. The Army's concept of how land combat will be conducted in the future is stated in "Army 21". This concept is quite explicit about what battlefields will be like: "The regiments are continually moving and attacking. Their areas of operations are not   The term "Airmechanization" signifies the intimate cooperation of armor and helicopters at tactical and lower operational levels, with the possibility of pure helicopter missions at a tactical level. static. This gives the battlefield an amoeba–like appearance; that is, always changing. U.S. Army forces orient on the enemy, not on terrain. Regiments have the capacity to quickly change the direction of movement and attack to fight in any direction...there will be a series of semi–autonomous battles... in order to defeat forces that are superior in numbers, maneuver, mobility and austerity are required. We must scan the battlefield to seek out enemy vulnerabilities, rapidly concentrate our forces, strike hard and fast, and then scatter before he can bring to bear his combat power." (l) The characteristics of a force that will be required to fight as indicated above are: Small, self–sufficient organizations. . Highly mobile. . Firepower–intensive. . Less manpower reliant. . Extremely agile—with a dispersion and a massing capability. . Capable of fluid, continuous operations. . Rapidly deployable. . Makes extensive use of robotics. . Electronic warfare (EW) incorporated in all combat forces. . EW to destroy, disrupt, deceive. . Built–in mobility, counter-mobility, survivability. . Information processing for logistics. . Less fuel consuming— more energy efficient. . Invisible equipment (multiple or stand-off signatures). . Redundancy in command and control. . Reconstitution capability. . Tailored family of vehicles. (2) This dynamic type of combat places a high value on maneuver, stealth and disruption of the enemy's ability to act and react. It depends on the synergism of weapons employment and aggressive mission– oriented tactics. (3) The doctrine expounded in Army 21 cannot be implemented with the current family of fighting vehicles, although the AH-64 Apache meets many of the requirements.

M1064A3 Self-propelled 120mm Mortar The M1064A3 is a member of the M113A3 Vehicle Family developed and produced by FMC Corporation. Power is supplied by a 275hp Detroit Diesel 6V53T turbocharged diesel engine driving through an Allison X200-4 (cross-drive) transmission. The M1064A3 incorporates all of the mobility, reliability improvements of the M113A3, including powertrain, engine diagnostics, driver's station, and electrical system. Survivability is enhanced through the use of external fuel tanks. The M1064A3 has the same silhouette as the M113A3 Personnel Carrier and features a welded-in cross beam, additional floor support structures to withstand mortar reaction forces, and an enlarged three-piece top firing hatch. The 120mm weapon has a 90 traverse for firing over the rear of the vehicle. The M106 107mm Mortar Carrier has a 4.2 inch (107mm) M30 mortar mounted on turntable in the rear which fires through a large hatch in the roof. The baseplate for the mortar is mounted externally on the left side of the vehicle for use when firing the mortar dismounted. The M125 is of similar design, carrying a 81mm mortar. Kits to convert M106 and M125 vehicles to the M1064A3 configuration are available.  General  Weight, combat loaded  28,240 lb. (12,809 kg)  Maximum weight  23,360 lb. (10,595 kg)  Ground pressure, combat loaded 8.97 psi (0.63 kg/cm2)  Personnel capacity  6  Fuel tank capacity  95 gallons (360 liters)   Performance  Speed on land  40 mi/h (64 km/h)  Speed in water, with track  3.6 mi/h (5.8 km/h)  Cruising range  300 mi (483 km)  Turning radius   Pivot to infinite  Slope 60%  Side slope 40%  Trench crossing 66 in. (168 cm)  Vertical wall climbing  24 in. (61 cm)  Gross horsepower-to-weight ratio  19.5 hp/ton    Engine  Make and model  Detroit Diesel 6V53T  Displacement  318 in.3 (5.2 liter)  Fuel  Diesel  Rated horsepower  275 hp  Transmission, Automatic  Make and model  Allison X200-4B  Type  Hydrokinetic  Steering  Hydrostatic  Brake type  Multiple wet plate  Running Gear  Suspension  Torsion bar  Road wheels  5 pr per side, 24 inch diameter (61 cm)  Track type  Steel single pin, detachable rubber pad  Number of shoes  63 left, 64 right  Track pitch  6 in. (15.2 cm)  Track width 15 in. (38 cm)  Shock absorbers  3 per side  Wheel travel  9.0 in. (22.9 cm)  Electrical System  Generator    Amperes  200, 300 optional  Volts, dc  28  Batteries   4, type 6TL, 120 amp-hr, 12-volt each  Armament  50 cal MG  2,000 ready rds.  120mm Mortar  69 ready rds.  Squad Weapons  Machine gun,M60, 7.62mm  2  Rifles, M16A2, 5.56mm  3   Armor  Hull  5083 Aluminum  Fire Extinguishers  Fixed  5 lb. (2.3 kg) CO2 for engine compartment  Portable  5 lb. (2.3 kg) CO2 M106 M1064

M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier The M113A1, informally known as the Gavin, is a lightly armoured full tracked air transportable personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo. The M113-family was developed from M59 and M75 by Ford and Kaiser Aluminium and Chemical Co. in the late 1950´s. The vehicle is capable of: amphibious operations in streams and lakes; extended cross country travel over rough terrain; and high speed operation on improved roads and highways. The M113 Family includes approximately 12 variants of light armored tracked vehicles used in a variety of combat and combat support roles. Total density exceeds 28,000. Today's M113 Family of Vehicles is composed of a mix of derivative systems consisting of the A1, A2, and A3 configurations. The current fleet includes: M113A2; M113A3; M106A2; M1064; M1064A3; M548A1; M548A3; M577A2; M577A3; M730A2; M901A1; M981; M1068; M1068A3; M1059; and M1059A3. Over the next 10-15 years, the majority of these systems will be converted to the A3 configuration. M58 Wolf Smoke Generator Carrier M106 Self-propelled 107mm Mortar M113 Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle AMEV M125 Self-propelled 81mm Mortar M548 Cargo Carrier M577 Command Post Carrier M730 Guided Missile Equipment Carrier (Chaparral) M901 Improved TOW Vehicle M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FISTV) M1059 Lynx Smoke Generator Carrier M1064 Self-propelled 120mm Mortar M1068 Standard Integrated Command Post System (SICPS) Carrier M1108 Universal Carrier Since their initial introduction in 1960, M113-based systems have entered service in more than 50 countries. The systems have been modified into more than 40 identified specific variants, with many times that number of minor field modifications. Many of these modifications have been developed by foreign governments to meet their specific national requirements. While some older M113 derivatives are being retired and removed from selected inventories, other FOV members are being upgraded, reconfigured, and introduced as entirely new systems. More than 80,000 M113 Family of Vehicle (FOV) systems have been produced. New M113 FOV systems are being built while existing chassis are being upgraded to modern configurations. The M113 APC was the first modern "battle taxi"; developed to transport infantry forces on the mechanized battlefield. It is fitted with a 2 stroke six cylinder Detroit diesel providing power through a 3 speed automatic gearbox and steering differential. The main armament is a single .50 Cal heavy barrel machine gun, and the secondary armament is a single .30 Cal machine gun. The M113 is built of aircraft quality aluminum which allows it to possess some of the same strengths as steel at a much lighter weight. This distinct weight advantage allows the M113 to utilize a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, as well as carry a large payload cross-country. The vehicle is capable of "swimming" bodies of water. The vehicle is not mission capable if any one track shoe is damaged. If the M113 loses a track, breaks a track shoe or the vehicle throws a track, extreme caution must be exercised in maintaining control. The driver must immediately release the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a stop. Applying braking action, i.e. brake pedal, laterals, pivot or any type of steering controls causes the vehicle to pull to the active or good track and could result in a roll-over. If it is absolutely necessary, the driver may apply braking action only, and only if the vehicle is approaching a ravine, a cliff, or if other catastrophic outcome, probably resulting in fatalities. When roll-over is imminent; it is safer to stay in the vehicle than to try to get out while the vehicle is still moving. Crew members may receive slight injuries from being thrown against metal parts, but if they try to leave the vehicle, it may roll over and crush them. Once the vehicle stops moving, the crew should get out as fast as possible because spilled fuel and oil may catch on fire. The first thing the driver should do in such an emergency is shut off the engine and turn off the master switch to minimize the fire hazard.    Historical Evolution    M113   M113A1   M113A2   M113A3  Date Introduced  1960  1964  1979   1987 Curb Weight (lbs)  20,310  21,474  21,608  23,575  Combat Weight (lbs)  23,520  24,594  24,728  27,000  Top Speed (mph)  37  37  37  41  Cruising Range (miles)  200   300  Engine Type  Gasoline  Diesel  Engine HP   209  212  275  HP/Ton  17.8  17.2  17.1  20.4  Acceleration (0-20 mph) sec  12.0  10.5  11.0  7.8  Turning Radius (in)  276  168   Pivot  Trench Crossing (in)  66  Slope (%)  60  Side Slope (%)  30  Braking (ft)   40  27 Ground Pressure (psi)  7.5  7.8  7.9  8.6 M113 Armored Personnel Carrier The original M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) helped to revolutionize mobile military operations. The vehicles were able to carry 11 soldiers plus a driver and track commander under armor protection across hostile battlefield environments. More importantly, the new vehicles were air transportable, air-droppable, and swimmable, allowing planners to incorporate APCs in a much wider range of combat situations, including many "rapid deployment" scenarios. The M113s were so successful that they were quickly identified as the foundation for a family of vehicles. Early derivatives included both command post (M577) and mortar carrier (M106) configurations. M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier The first major upgrade came in 1964 with the introduction of the M113A1 package which replaced the original gasoline engine with a 212 horsepower diesel package. The new power train was soon incorporated into the existing vehicle family as the M113A1, M577A1, and M106A1, as well as several new derivative systems. Some of these new derivatives were based on the armored M113 chassis (the M125A1 mortar carrier and M741 "Vulcan" air defense vehicle) while others were based on an unarmored version of the chassis (including the M548 cargo carrier, M667 "Lance" missile carrier, and M730 "Chaparral" missile carrier). M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier Continuing modernization efforts led to the introduction of the A2 package of suspension and cooling enhancements in 1979. As with previous enhancements, these upgrades resulted in further proliferation of the FOV. M113A3 Armored Personnel Carrier Most of the M113 family that saw service during Desert Storm were underpowered A2 level vehicles. M113A3 that were in the conflict kept pace with the Abrams equipped maneuver forces. Since 1987 the PM office has been modernizing the M113 fleet to the A3. This block modification should be completed for FP1 by 2001 with current funding. Today's M113 fleet includes about four thousand M113A3 vehicles equipped with the most recent recent A3 RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package. The standard RISE package includes an upgraded propulsion system (turbocharged engine and new transmission), greatly improved driver controls (new power brakes and conventional steering controls), external fuel tanks, and 200 AMP alternator with 4 batteries. Additional A3 improvements, include incorporation of spall liners and provisions for mounting external armor. The M113A3, a full-tracked armored personnel carrier provides protected transportation and cross country mobility for personnel and cargo. A light armored vehicle weighing 27,200 pounds, it carries 11 infantry personnel in addition to the vehicle driver and track commander. It is capable of sustained speeds of 41 mph on level roads and accelerates from 0 to 35 mph in 27 seconds (this compares to 69 seconds for the M113A2). The M113A3 is a product improved version of the M113A2 with improved transmission and engine. The U.S. Army first identified the need to up-power the M113A2 carrier in the mid-1970s. This need was driven by increases in vehicle weight and a requirement to increase the mobility and survivability of the system. As a result, the "RISE" powertrain was developed and tested at Yuma and Aberdeen Proving Grounds. However, application of the new powertrain was deferred due to a lack of funds. In 1984 a decision was made to incorporate the RISE package, improved driver controls, spall liners, external fuel tanks and provisions for installation of an external armor kit on an M113 chassis. Additionally, a bolt-on armor kit providing 14.5 mm ballistic protection was developed and tested. Except for the mounting provisions the external armor appliquÈ was not incorporated for production. The new X200-4/4A hydrostatic steer transmission permits use of a more powerful engine, the 275 HP turbocharged Detroit Diesel 6V53T, and eliminates the transfer case and controlled differential. The RISE powerpack increases fuel economy, acceleration, hill climbing speed and braking capabilities and allows the vehicle to maintain speed through corners by accelerating the outer track rather than braking the inner track as on the A2. The increase in horsepower also allows installation of an external armor kit (which increases the gross vehicle weight to 31,000 pounds) and provides mobility comparable to currently fielded vehicles such as the M1 tank and M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Steering is improved with an automotive-type steering yoke and foot brake arrangement which improves driver control, lessens fatigue and simplifies driver training from that of the A1/A2 steering/braking laterals. Due to load matching ability and increased steering capability, cross country performance is also improved. Crew survivability is increased by the addition of spall suppression liners and locating the fuel tanks externally, on the rear of the vehicle. The inside of the vehicle (sides, roof and rear) are covered with spall suppression liners which limit troop injuries from the effect of overmatching weapons by restricting the spread of spall when a round penetrates the hull. External fuel tanks free up 16 cubic feet of usable space inside the vehicle and reduce the fire hazard inside the crew compartment. Two tanks and independent valving provide redundancy in the fuel system allowing continued operation when one tank is damaged. External differences between M113A2 and M113A3 include external fuel tanks and provisions for the installation of an add-on-armor kit. The M113A3 was type classified Standard. All new APC vehicles produced since 1987 and all converted vehicles since 1989 are the A3 variant. Vehicles have been fielded both in the U.S. and in foreign countries. The M113A3 was initially fielded in 1987 and U.S. production of new M113A3s was completed in 1992. M113A3s are currently being produced for Thailand as a direct sale. Conversion of M113A2 vehicles to M113A3 vehicles has been underway at United Defense, L.P. since 1994. Previously, conversions of M113A2 vehicles to M113A3 vehicles were completed at Red River and Mainz Army Depots, as well as in Korea. The future M113A3 fleet will include a number of vehicles that will have high speed digitial networks and data transfer systems. The M113A3 digitization program supports the Army's Modernization Plan by applying applique hardware, software, and installation kits and hosting them in the M113A3 FOV. Current plans call for these systems to be integrated into the M113A3 FOV by the year 2006.

Working On The 2000 Mile Range Helicopter    Rotorcraft Report: Piasecki Aircraft wins U.S. Navy contractby John Persinos GOVERNMENT "EXPERTS" ARE wonderfully reliable contrarian indicators. For example, in 1899, the Director of the U.S. Patent Office, Charles Duell, said: "Everything that can be invented has been invented." Fortunately, inventors such as Frank Piasecki never subscribe to conventional wisdom. Piasecki, an aviation legend, has, over the years, introduced a host of trail-blazing innovations in rotorcraft design. In particular, he has spent the last four decades doggedly advocating his proprietary technology for compound helicopters. This fall (last year), his efforts achieved a major milestone, with sweeping consequences for the entire industry. Piasecki Aircraft Corp., Essington, Pennsylvania, was awarded in late October 2000, a $26.1 million four-year U.S. Navy contract for the design, fabrication and flight test of a Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) compound helicopter. Address Second Street West, P.O. Box 360, Essington, PA 19029 Founded 1955 Employees 35 Annual revenues $2M Flight facility Essington, PA Owner Private (Frank N. Piasecki) President/CEO Frank N. Piasecki Business dev John Piasecki Phone/fax (610) 521-5700/5935 Website www.piasecki.com Markets USG: 90%, Commercial 5%, Foreign: 5% Products VTDP UH-60 flight demonstrator, Piecework (electromechanical parts), VTOL UAVs The compound helicopter is based on a modified Sikorsky H-60 Hawk family airframe. Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, the primary objective of this flight demonstration is to show the potential improvements in speed, range, survivability and reduced life cycle costs attainable with Piasecki's VTDP technology. Computer Aided Design Simulation www.continuum-dynamics.com/research/topics/piasecki_research/ Ducted Fan position for forward flight Ducted Fan for hovering flight The VTDP compound helicopter achieves these goals by adding fixed wings and a tail-mounted ducted propeller. Piasecki Aircraft, founded by Frank Piasecki in 1956, has long proposed this technology as a way to enhance performance and reduce costs of rotorcraft. Today, the company has 50 employees, 20 of them engineers. Starting with Frank's groundbreaking R&D in the early 1960s, the company pioneered the development of compound helicopters. Frank celebrated his 81st birthday in October and still shows up at work, six days a week.   John Piasecki, Frank's son and company vice president, says that the VTDP compound helicopter is capable of faster cruise speeds, longer range, superior maneuverability and reduced costs. The VTDP design augments the aircraft's lift, combating retreating blade stall by unloading the main rotor system as the burden of lift is transferred to the wing. In addition to the stability conferred by the fixed wing, the aircraft reaches greater speeds because of auxiliary propulsion provided by the tail-mounted VTDP, commonly referred to as the "ringtail." The combination of the VTDP and a lifting wing provides for increased speed over 200 knots in production configurations, as well as greater maneuverability and reduced vibration and fatigue loads. The compound helicopter confers several advantages to the armed forces. One of the most important, in the post-Cold War era of limited military budgets, is lower operating costs. By lowering fatigue loads and vibration levels, the technology can reduce costs and extend the life of parts. The technology also enables a rotary wing aircraft to fly at up to 220 knots; an attack helicopter fitted with the VTDP system would make for a formidable warship. John Piasecki says the idea of compound helicopters is coming back into vogue with military planners because of the convergence of limited resources and expanded performance requirements. "This contract traces its origins to early Cold War competitions, but the compound technology is still very relevant, as armed helos proliferate in Third World countries," he says. "Armed helos are versatile and cost-effective aerial weapons platforms. Navy and Marines Corps aerial assault forces are projected over the sea at greater and greater distances. Emerging military requirements are driving the compound helicopter concept, not the old Fulda Gap scenarios." The U.S. Marines are committed to the V-22 tiltrotor as an aerial assault platform, but they still rely on conventional helicopters, such as the Cobra and Huey. That's where compound technology can make a difference. "Compound helicopter technology could extend the performance and life of these legacy aircraft, to reduce their performance shortfall as compared to the V-22," he says. Piasecki Aircraft's VTDP was competitively selected by the Navy under the FY00 Advanced Technology Demonstration program, which funds development and testing of high risk/high payoff technologies to address the Navy's future warfighting needs. The contract was awarded after Piasecki successfully completed ground testing of a full-scale flight-worthy VTDP unit under a $16.1 million concept exploration and development contract. John Piasecki says the VTDP Ground Test results were better than predicted, meeting all of the technical criteria necessary to proceed into the flight demonstration phase of the program. The flight test program will be conducted by a Joint Piasecki and Naval Rotary Wing Test Squadron Team, starting in 2003. The VTDP compound helicopter concept is being investigated as an affordable means of addressing the Defense Department's need to upgrade the capabilities and extend the service life of existing single-rotor helicopters. Based on the services' current aviation modernization plans, the Defense Department is projected to spend over $41 billion to extend the capability and service life of the H-60, H-1, and AH-64 fleets until Joint Replacement Aircraft are fielded sometime after 2025. The Air Force selected the H-60/VTDP compound helicopter concept as one of several alternatives under consideration as an upgrade or replacement for its aging HH-60G combat rescue helicopter fleet. The replacement is slated to be fielded as early as FY07.