New M113 on track

On a role: The upgraded M113, the M113AS4 will arrive in 5/7RAR in December 2006. Photo by Belinda Bonnici

STUDENTS on the Australian Technical Staff Officers’ Course have received a preview of the capabilities of the upgraded M113.

During a recent visit to the CATC and School of Armour at Puckapunyal, about 35 students, staff and observers witnessed a demonstration of the M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), one of four APC Initial Production Vehicles produced by Tenix Defence.

The APC – crewed by members of the Land 106 Mobile Training Team – was pitted against the vehicle it will replace, the M113A1.

Lt-Col Haydn Kohl, Program Manager M113, said the demonstration provided a great opportunity for the students to see the old and the new go through their paces.

“The M113AS4 took all the obstacles with ease, significantly out-performing the M113A1,” he said.

“In particular the students were very impressed by the acceleration and power of the M113AS4.

“Based on this brief demonstration it is clear these vehicles will provide a significant increase in capability for the 1st Brigade and Army.”

The M113AS4 successfully completed endurance testing in Townsville in November. Extensive reliability qualification testing of the vehicle will be conducted from January to May next year at the Accredited Test Service Proving Ground, Monegeetta.

350 M113A1s will be upgraded, with 271 APC variants upgraded to the 18 tonne M113AS4 standard.
The first production vehicles will be issued to 5/7RAR in December 2006.

“The new vehicle provides enhanced protection, firepower and mobility for future users,” Lt-Col Kohl said.

During their visit, the ATSOC students also saw mobility and live-fire displays of the Leopard MBT, ASLAV and Bushranger IMV.