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M548
M548A1
M548A3

Cargo Carrier M5481-4

M548: General
Manufacturer FMC Corp. Crew
4 men:
  • Driver in cab left front
  • 3 passengers in cab
M548: Dimensions
Combat weight with no kits 27,180lbs
12,329kg		 Height over cab 106"
269cm
Length 227"
577cm		 Width overall 106"
269cm
Tread 85.0"
216cm		 Ground clearance 16"
41cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 8.5psi
.60kg/cm²
M548: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG M66 above cab 300 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +85° to -15°
(manual)
M548: Armor
None
M548: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6V53; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee diesel
Horsepower Gross: 202@2800rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Allison TX-100-1, 3 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Steering DS200 controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Differential band
M548: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first and last road wheels/track
M548: Track
T130
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
T130E1
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
M548: Performance
Max level road speed 38mph
61kph		 Max water speed 3.8mph
6.1kph
Max trench 66"
170cm		 Max grade 60%
Max sideslope 30% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 28'
8.5m		 Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

The M548 was based on the M113A1 APC, utilizing its drivetrain and running gear. The vehicle was constructed from 5083 aluminum, and the inner dimensions of the bed were 130.625" (331.788cm) long by 63.75" (161.9cm) wide. It was possible to elevate the floor of the bed to the height of the side sponsons, making the bed 96.5" (245cm) wide. Its payload capacity was 12,000lbs (5,400kg), and a winch was mounted at the front of the hull. The winch's wire rope was .625" (1.59cm) thick, 200' (60m) long, and at a line speed of 15-30'/min (4.6-9.1m/min) its line pull was 20,000lb (9,000kg). The load limit at 1.8'/min (.55m/min) was 24,000lb (11,000kg).

Several kits could be installed to perform various missions. These included a material handling kit for ammunition support; an air brake kit for towing equipment with air brakes; a turn signal kit; three different types of primary heater kits for the cab; a primary heater kit for the cargo area; secondary heater kits for the cab and cargo area; and an engine coolant heater kit to allow the vehicle to function at temperatures under -25°F (-32°C). A 7.62mm machine gun M60 could also be installed on the M66 mount. Instead of the M66, the M49A1 ring mount could also be used for a .50cal machine gun. In order to use an M60 with the M49A1, a 7.62mm machine gun mounting kit was necessary for it. Six hundred sixty 7.62mm rounds were carried when the M60 was mounted.

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Cargo Carrier M548A11,4-7

M548A1: General
Date of first acceptance 1982
Manufacturer FMC Corp. Crew
4 men:
  • Driver in cab left front
  • 3 passengers in cab
M548A1: Dimensions
Combat weight with no kits 27,080lbs
12,280kg		 Height over cab 107"
272cm
Length 227"
577cm		 Width overall 106"
269cm
Tread 85.0"
216cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 8.5psi
.60kg/cm²
M548A1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG M66 above cab 300 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +85° to -15°
(manual)
M548A1: Armor
None
M548A1: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6V53; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee diesel
Horsepower Gross: 210@2800rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Allison TX-100-1, 3 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Steering DS200 controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Differential band
M548A1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first, second, and last road wheels/track
M548A1: Track
T130E1
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 66 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
T150
Center guide, double pin, steel with chevron rubber pad
Width 14.81"
37.62cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 66 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
M548A1: Performance
Max level road speed 38mph
61kph		 Max water speed 3.8mph
6.1kph
Max trench 66"
170cm		 Max grade 60%
Max sideslope 30% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 28'
8.5m		 Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

The M548A1 utilized the engine and suspension improvements found in the M113A2. M548s were newly-constructed and rebuilt from M548s. The vehicle was 110.75" (281.31cm) tall over the canopy bows.

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Cargo Carrier M548A31,5-9

M548A3: General
Date of first acceptance 1994
Manufacturer FMC Corp. Crew
4 men:
  • Driver in cab left front
  • 3 passengers in cab
M548A3: Dimensions
Combat weight with no kits 28,770lbs
13,050kg		 Height over cab 107"
272cm
Length 227"
577cm		 Width overall 106"
269cm
Tread 85.0"
216cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 8.7psi
.61kg/cm²
M548A3: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG M66 above cab 300 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +85° to -15°
(manual)
M548A3: Armor
None
M548A3: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6V53T Model 5063-5392; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee, turbosupercharged diesel
Horsepower Gross: 275@2800rpm Torque Gross: 627 ft-lb@1600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Allison X-200-4 or X-200-4A, 4 ranges forward, 2 reverse
Steering Hydrostatic, steering yoke
Brakes Multiple plate, oil cooled
M548A3: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 5 individually sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first, second, and last road wheels/track
M548A3: Track
T130E1
Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad
Width 15"
38cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 66 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
T150
Center guide, double pin, steel with chevron rubber pad
Width 14.81"
37.62cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 66 Ground contact length 111"
282cm
M548A3: Performance
Max level road speed 38mph
61kph		 Max water speed 3.8mph
6.1kph
Max trench 66"
170cm		 Max grade 60%
Max sideslope 30% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter Pivot Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

In 1994, M548A1s began to be rebuilt into M548A3s with the RISE enhancements of the M113A3. The new powertrain precluded the use of the air brake kit, and the cab heater was a permanent installation replacing the winch. A nuclear, biological, and chemical air filtration system was also present for the crew.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. TM 9-2350-247-10 Driver's Operation and Maintenance Manual Carrier, Cargo, Tracked, 6-ton: M548 (2350-00-078-4545). Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 1 April 1976.
  3. TM 55-2350-224-14 Transport Guidance M113 Family of Vehicles (M113A2, M113A3, M106A2, M125A2, M548A1, M577A2, M667, M730A2, M741A1, M901A1, M981, M1015A1, M1059, M1064, AND M1068). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 1 February 1993.
  4. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  5. TM 9-2350-247-10 C1 Operator's Manual for Carrier, Cargo Tracked, 6-ton M548A1 2350-01-096-9356 (EIC AEU) M548A3 2350-01-369-6081 (EIC AE9). Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 26 August 2005.
  6. TM 43-0001-31 Operator's Equipment Data Sheets for TACOM Combat and Tactical Equipment: Equipment Class 1450, 2310, 2320, 2330, 2350. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 10 June 1985.
  7. "M548A3 Cargo Carrier." GlobalSecurity.org. 7 July 2011. 25 October 2016 <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m548.htm>.
  8. TM 9-2815-205-24 Field and Sustainment Maintenance for 6V53/6V53T Engines, Diesel with Containers Model 5063-5299 NSN 2815-00-124-5390 NSN 2815-01-295-7458 Model 5063-5392 NSN 2815-01-246-0903 Model 5063-5393 NSN 2815-01-248-7644 Model 5063-539L NSN 2815-01-412-2715. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 25 February 2013.
  9. TM 9-2815-205-24P Field and Sustainment Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tools list (RPSTL) for 6V53/6V53T Engines, Diesel with Containers Model 5063-5299 NSN 2815-00-124-5390 NSN 2815-01-295-7458 Model 5063-5392 NSN 2815-01-246-0903 Model 5063-5393 NSN 2815-01-248-7644 Model 5063-539L NSN 2815-01-412-2715. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 25 February 2013.
Last updated 18 Aug 2023.
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