M113 APC History

The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier holds the distinction of being the most widely produced armored vehicle in the Western world, with over 80,000 built since 1960. This aluminum-armored workhorse has served in virtually every American military operation since Vietnam and continues operating in dozens of militaries worldwide.

Development and Introduction

The M113 emerged from Army requirements for an air-transportable armored personnel carrier that could keep pace with tanks while protecting infantry from small arms fire and artillery fragments. FMC Corporation won the production contract, and the first M113s entered service in 1960.

The revolutionary aspect was the hull construction: welded aluminum armor. This saved weight compared to steel while providing adequate protection against 7.62mm rounds and shell fragments. The weight savings allowed the M113 to be amphibious and air-transportable by C-130 aircraft.

Technical Specifications

The baseline M113 weighs approximately 27,000 pounds combat-loaded. A Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine producing 275 horsepower gives the vehicle a top road speed of 42 mph and water speed of 3.6 mph using track propulsion. The vehicle carries a driver, commander, and eleven infantry soldiers.

Armament typically consists of a .50 caliber M2 machine gun on a pintle mount, though many variants added additional weapons. The relatively low profile and small silhouette made the M113 harder to spot and hit than larger APCs.

Vietnam and Beyond

Vietnam provided the M113’s baptism of fire. American and South Vietnamese forces employed thousands of M113s in the “track” cavalry role, using them aggressively as fighting vehicles rather than just battle taxis. Crews added extra machine guns, created armored shields, and developed tactics that exploited the vehicle’s mobility and firepower.

The M113 served in every subsequent American operation: Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Its versatility and simplicity kept it in service long after more advanced vehicles became available.

Variants and Adaptations

The M113 chassis spawned dozens of variants. The M106 mounted 107mm and later 120mm mortars. The M125 carried 81mm mortars. The M577 command post vehicle provided mobile headquarters. The M901 ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle) added anti-tank missiles in a rotating launcher. The M163 Vulcan Air Defense System mounted a 20mm rotary cannon.

Medical evacuation variants, recovery vehicles, fire support vehicles, engineer vehicles, and countless other configurations emerged. Some countries developed their own variants—Israel’s extensive M113 modifications produced unique vehicles like the Zelda and Nagmachon.

Current Status

The U.S. Army is gradually retiring M113s, with the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) serving as the replacement in armored brigade combat teams. However, thousands remain in National Guard inventory and foreign service. The M113’s simplicity, reliability, and vast spare parts supply ensure it will continue operating well into the 2030s in various armies.

Ukraine has received hundreds of M113s from multiple NATO countries, putting the venerable APC back into high-intensity combat operations alongside much newer equipment.