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Canadian Forces Armour – M113A3 Tracked Light Armoured Vehicle |
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Tracked Light Armoured Vehicle – the Born-Again M113A3 TLAV APC
The M113A3 TLAV retains the chassis length of the original M113 with its five roadwheels. New automotive
systems, suspension, and tracks [1] are fitted as are interior spall liners plus attachment points
on the aluminum hull for bolt-on steel plate armour. Some vehicles have also been fitted with bar armour
(left) to protect from rocket-propelled grenades. M113A3s are a major rebuild ( the APCLE ) of the CF's 40 year old M113A2s.
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Under that APCLE, the TLAVs were fitted with 400hp diesel powerpacks, the extra power needed to keep pace with Leopard tanks. [1] New, longer travel suspension arms were
used to smooth out the ride. [2] TLAVs can run on Soucy band tracks, a flexible, rubber, link-less
alternative to linked metal tracks. These quiet-running,
Canadian-made, band tracks are widely used in Afghanistan but Soucys are also seen in use in Canada (alongside the
more common German-made metal tracks). [3]
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United Defense (BAE Systems/DEW)
M113A3 TLAV – Specifications
Powerplant:
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5.2 L, 298 kW (400 hp) 6-cyl. Detroit Diesel 6V53TIA
[4]
[engine distinguished CF M113A3s from the US model] |
| Trans.: |
Allison X200-4B Hydrokinetic automatic (4 fwd, 1 rev) |
Dimensions:
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length x 5.37 m (incl. external fuel tanks),
width x 2.69 m,
height x 2.52 m (less weapons), all dim. less bar armour |
| Weight: |
Max. 13,363 kg ( less armament and add-on
armour ) |
| Crew: |
2 (driver, vehicle commander ) + up to 11
dismounts |
| Range: |
Max. road range 480 km (reduced on rough
terrain) |
| Performance: |
Max. 66 km/h (41 mph), climb: 0.61 m, trench:
1.67m |
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Re-lifed 'Buckets' are armed with either the Cadillac- Gage 1-Meter turret (with a 12.7mm Browning M2HB and coaxial 7.62mm C6 GPMG machinegun) or with a Protected Weapons Station. In Afghanistan, a PWS equipped
TLAV might also feature twin gun shields for the rear roof hatch (left). The 1-Meter turrets are recycled
(taken from phased-out Grizzlys). M113A3 TLAVs act as Infantry Section Carriers or in Mobile Repair Team
roles. Most specialty roles are handled by the stretched MTLV TLAVs but not all – at right is an M113A3
used by a Skylark mini UAV team. TLAVs have been criticized [5] but Soucy tracks may give them another
lease on life.
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[1] This combination – consisting of an electronically controlled 400 hp, fuel-injected, Detroit Diesel 6V-53TIA
engine (compared with 210 hp for earlier M113s) and Allison transaxle – adds power while simplifying
maintenance. The entire unit can be removed as a 'power-egg' in 2 hours instead of the 32+ hours previously
needed. The basic 6V-53 engine block remains the same as that used in older model M113s.
[2] A revised suspension geometry provides about 40 cm of road wheel travel. The road wheels are unchanged for
Diehl or Soucy tracks.
[3] The standard metal track system for the CF's M113A3s is the Diehl DST 513B (replacing the old Diehl 213G on the
pre-APCLE M113s ). In contrast with the single-link Diehl tracks, the Soucy bank track is a one-piece direct
replacement (but requires a special drive sprocket ).
[4] The aluminum block 6V53TIA (Turbocharged, Inter-cooled, After-cooled) is an electronically-controlled variant
of the M113A2 6V53T. Detroit Diesel Allison was a division of GM. Detroit Diesel Corporation was later
connected with Germany's MTU, it's now part of Daimler.
[5] The TLAV addressed most of the shortcomings of the M113A2. A Dec 2007 IED attack that took the life of
Gunner Jonathan Dion and wounded four others) brought the TLAV to media attention but criticism focused on the
vehicles' age. Compared with LAV III, TLAVs are less well armed and lower slung. The latter makes them smaller
targets and adds stability but also less clearance from pressure plate IEDs.
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