| M981: General | |||
| Date of first acceptance | 1975 | ||
| Manufacturer | Emerson Electric Co. | Crew | 4 men |
| M981: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 27,900lbs 12,700kg |
Height, head erected | 134.25" 341.00cm |
| Length | 208.5" 529.6cm |
Gun overhang forward | 0" |
| Width over track shrouds | 105.75" 268.61cm |
Tread | 85.0" 216cm |
| Ground clearance | 17.1" 43.4cm |
Ground pressure, zero penetration | 8.9psi .62kg/cm² |
| M981: Armament | ||||
| Type | Mount | Ammunition | Traverse | Elevation |
| 7.62mm M60 MG | Flexible in cupola mount | 800 rounds | 360° (manual) |
Manual |
| Night vision | ||||
| Infrared periscope M19 for driver, AN/TAS-4 night sight | ||||
| Rangefinder | ||||
| G/VLLD | ||||
| M981: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Hull | ||
| Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminum armor | ||
| Location | Thickness | Angle from vertical |
| Upper front | 1.5" 3.8cm |
45° |
| Lower front | 1.5" 3.8cm |
30° |
| Upper sides | 1.75" 4.45cm |
0° |
| Lower sides | 1.25" 3.18cm |
0° |
| Rear | 1.5" 3.8cm |
9° |
| Ramp | 1.5" 3.8cm |
8° |
| Top | 1.5" 3.8cm |
90° |
| Floor | 1.125" 2.858cm |
90° |
| M981: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | General Motors 6V53; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee diesel | ||||
| Horsepower | Gross: 212@2,800rpm | Torque | Gross: 492 ft-lb@1,300rpm | Fuel capacity | 95gal 360L |
| Transmission | Allison TX-100, 3 ranges forward, 1 reverse | ||||
| Steering | DS200 controlled differential, steering levers | ||||
| Brakes | Differential band | ||||
| M981: 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 |
| M981: Track | |||||||
| T130E1 | |||||||
| Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad | |||||||
| Width | 15" 38cm |
Pitch | 6" 15cm |
Shoes/track | Left side: 63 Right side: 64 |
Ground contact length | 105" 267cm |
| T150 | |||||||
| Center guide, double pin, steel with chevron rubber pad | |||||||
| Width | 14.81" 37.62cm |
Pitch | 6" 15cm |
Shoes/track | Left side: 63 Right side: 64 |
Ground contact length | 105" 267cm |
| M981: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 40mph 64kph |
Max water speed | 3.6mph 5.8kph |
| Max trench | 66" 170cm |
Max grade | 60% |
| Max vertical obstacle | 24" 61cm |
Min turning diameter | 26' 7.9m |
| Max fording depth | Floats | Cruising range | ~300mi, roads ~480km, roads |
The M981 was based on the M113A2 APC with the external fuel tanks, and utilized other components of the M901 ITV. The hammerhead turret was used in the FIST-V, but instead of TOW missiles, a ground/vehicle laser locator designator (G/VLLD), north-seeking gyrocompass, and night sight were carried. By utilizing this design, artillery observers could take advantage of hull-down positions as well. The targeting head could elevate from +38° to -23°. M981A3 used the RISE powerpack from the M113A3 APC.
