M116 Husky

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M116 Husky
Pacific Car and Foundry
ManufacturerBlaw-Knox
Pacific Car and Foundry (M733)
No. built197
93 (M733)
VariantsM733
Specifications
Mass10,600 lb (4,800 kg)
Length15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Width6.8 feet (2.1 m)
Height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Crew1
Passengers13

Armornone
Main
armament
none
EngineChevrolet V8
Payload capacity3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
TransmissionHydra-Matic
Ground clearance15.5 in (39 cm)
Operational
range
300 mi (480 km)
Maximum speed 37 mph (60 km/h) land
3.7 mph (6.0 km/h) water

The M116 Husky was a tracked amphibious cargo carrier/marginal terrain vehicle that served with the United States Marine Corps.

Design

The M116 was a lightweight low-silhouette vehicle designed to transport cargo or personnel over unimproved roads, loose sand, soft marshy terrain and inland waterways. Its low ground pressure of 1.67 to 2.74 psi (11.5 to 18.9 kPa) when fully loaded gave good mobility on marginal terrain. [1]: E-1–2 

The M116 was designed by

Pacific Car and Foundry as a replacement for the M76 Otter. Pacific Car and Foundry built four prototypes and then three pre-production models, however the production contract was awarded to Blaw-Knox which produced 197.[2]

Variants

, 1970

The M733 was an armored variant of the M116 with steel armour plates added to provide ballistic protection capable of stopping

ball ammunition. The purpose of the vehicle was to provide small arms protection for infantry security elements accompanying marginal terrain vehicles. The primary armament was one M60 machine gun, but two other pintle mounts were provided for additional M60s. The M733 could also mount the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun or an 81mm mortar.[1]: F-1–2  The M733 was produced by Pacific Car and Foundry which built 93 with the first deliveries occurring in 1966.[2]

History

Both the M116 and M733 served with the Marines in the

Danang. Virtually unaffected by weather, the M116 had the effect of reducing reliance on helicopter support. The M733 was placed into service in August as a convoy escort.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Carrey, Richard (1981). Amphibious Vehicles. United States Marine Corps Development and Education Command.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ .
  3. .
  4. ISBN 978-1494287627.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .