Russo-Ukrainian War: M113AS4 Armored Logistics Vehicle (ALV)

Source: ArmyInform

     Australia, as part of the country's military aid to Ukraine, provided a total of 56 M113AS4 armored vehicles. While many are the M113AS4 armored personnel carriers (APCs), it is clear some of the delivered vehicles were variants of the M113AS4. One of them is clearly shown here and that is the M113AS4 ALV (Armored Logistics Vehicle), here in service with the 33rd. Mechanized Brigade. Behind the M113AS4 ALV is another M113AS4 though what model cannot be accurately determined. Because is lacks a turret, it is possible it is a M113AS4 AA (Armored Ambulance). A characteristic of the Australian M113AS4, which is a improved version of the M113AS1 and M113AS3 (that are themselves modifications of the U.S. Army's M113A1 APC), is the lengthened chassis that adds a sixth road wheel. The ALV variant appeared in 2007 and in total, 50 of them were built. 

     Power for the 18-ton ALV comes from a Daimler-Chrysler MTU 6V199TE diesel engine that develops 350 horsepower which is paired to a ZF LSG 1000 R transmission, 8-speed gearbox (6 forward, 2 reverse), and a FFG manufactured final drive. The ALV has a top road speed of 40 miles per hour and with a total of 95 gallons of fuel, the ALV has a maximum cruise range of 310 miles. On the standard M113AS4 as well as the M113AS4 AA, the fuel tanks are mounted externally on the back of the vehicle. These can be seen with the vehicle behind the ALV. However, with the ALV, the tanks are moved inside the hull. The ALV is not amphibious.

     The rear bed has the capacity to carry up to 5 tons of cargo or up to 20 soldiers can pile onto the bed though they would not benefit from any armor protection.

     This particular ALV is not fitted with any armament though the mount for a 12.7mm heavy machine-gun is seen in front of the open hatch. Usually, the weapon of choice is a Browning M2 fitted to the mount along with a small ACAV (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle) armored shield to offer the gunner a measure of protection from the front. As a standard, 2,000 rounds of ammunition is carried though this can be adjusted as needed. The only other armament would be any small arms the two man crew would have.

     For protection of the crew and any passengers, the hull of the ALV sports armor able to resist 14.5x114mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition which means the ALV has STANAG 4569 Level IV defense. Against 155mm shell fragments, the armor is proof against them at a minimum distance of 25 meters. Finally, the vehicle can withstand anti-tank mines with up to 22 pounds of explosive payload. To improve the level of protection, there are appliqué ceramic armor panels fitted to the hull sides and front and internally, there are spall liners. The crew has added their own appliqué armor in the form of slat armor screens around the hull and portions of the roof as a measure of defense against HEAT munitions.

     Other ALV features include a radio system which complies with MIL-STD-461D (control of electromagnetic emission and susceptibility characteristics), 24V electrical system (which includes four SLABs [Sealed Lead Acid Batteries], twin caliper disk brakes with a dual hydraulic circuit, and a cooling system capable of operating in conditions as hot as 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ability to ford up to 5 feet of water without preparation.