Arrowpointe Dragoon TOW Vehicle

    Notes: This is a Dragoon basic APC with the rear area taken up by a turntable-mounted TOW launcher and ammunition.  The driver and commander are in the front, with the driver on the right and commander beside him.  They have a small bullet-resistant windshield in front of them, and vision blocks to the sides.  Vision blocks are also present in front of the hatches for use when the vehicle is buttoned up. They have hatches above them and can also reach their stations through the troop compartment.  Their hatches have night vision blocks, which can be removed and replaced with an armored block.  The driver has a conventional control set, though he has power brakes.  The driver and commander have electrically-powered raising and lowering of their seats.

     The crew may enter and exit through wide doors on either side, and they have three hatches on the hull deck.  The hatch design for the gunner is similar to the Dragoon Armored Mortar Carrier, with the sliding hatch being replaced with two large hatches opening right and left.  The two firing ports on each side and one in the rear are retained. These are not true firing ports, but merely shuttered openings in the hull. The gunner has a folding seat on a stand under his gunner’s position. The Dragoon TOW Vehicle has air conditioning as standard.  The Dragoon TOW Vehicle has a heater, and this heater has a booster for the driver/commander compartment.

     The Dragoon TOW Vehicle borrows the starter, vision blocks, bilge pumps, control knobs and electrical and hydraulic components from the M113A2 APC; automotively, many components are the same as on the M809 medium truck, particularly in the suspension.  The engine of the Dragoon is a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T 300-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine (again, a modified version of that of the M113), coupled to an automatic transmission. The Dragoon TOW Vehicle has a flood-type Halon fire suppression system, but this must be manually triggered.  There is one for the troop/front compartment and one for the engine compartment.  The suspension is 4x4 and of the off-road-type, and the Dragoon TOW Vehicle has run-flat tires and central tire pressure regulation.  Armor is moderate, but angling of the front and sides helps the situation, giving it protection greater than might be expected for such a vehicle.  Armor is acceptable for such a vehicle, though appliqué armor kits are available.  All Dragoon TOW Vehicles and variants have a front-mounted winch with a capacity of 5 tons and 53.34 meters of cable.  The Dragoon TOW Vehicle is amphibious, powered by wheel rotation in the water, and steered by the front wheels as if on land.  Bilge pumps must be turned on before entering the water, but other than that, there is no preparation required for amphibious operations (and turning on the bilge pumps only requires the flipping of a switch by the driver).  The driver may also fully inflate the tires using the central tire inflation system before amphibious operations to increase flotation, an operation that requires only 15 seconds. Amphibious speed is slow, and amphibious steering response is sluggish.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The US 9th ID is the only US unit to have the Dragoon TOW Vehicle in any large numbers, with them being taken into regular service in that unit.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Dragoon TOW Vehicle

$59,768

D, A

606 kg

11 tons

3

9

Passive IR (D, G)

Enclosed

(With Applique)

$61,267

D, A

606 kg

11.4 tons

3

9

Passive IR (D, G)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Dragoon TOW Vehicle

216/110

60/30/3

350

158

Stnd

W(4)

HF8  HS4  HF4

(With Applique)

211/106

59/30/3

350

158

Stnd

W(4)

HF10Sp  HS4  HF4*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

TOW II Launcher, M2HB

6xTOW II ATGM, 600x.50BMG

*Floor AV is 4Sp.

 

HMMWV LOSAT

     Notes:  The HMMWV LOSAT (Line-Of-Sight Anti-Tank) is a HMMWV M1044A1 modified to carry a quadruple Hypervelocity Missile System over the roof in a fairing.  It is otherwise like the M1044A1, with its Kevlar armor panels and a winch in the front bumper, with 60 meters of cable and a capacity of 2.7 tons.  The LOSAT system is used by pointing the HMMWV in the general direction of the target, with aiming done with a mast-mounted sight coupled to night vision and telescopic-vision devices. Guidance is fire-and-forget once missiles are launched; lock-on is by laser designation and a computerized tracking system onboard the missile. Aiming and designation are done via a downlink to the MMS to the gunner in a station in the rear seat of the HMMWV. To the gunner’s rear are a rack of reload missiles. The HMMWV LOSAT also commonly towed an armored trailer based on the HMMWV suspension and cargo box, carrying eight reload missiles.

     The HMMWV chassis has a 190-horsepower Cummins turbodiesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission. The suspension is switchable from 4x4 to 4x2 for more efficient road use. The engine is built for power instead of speed and has considerable torque. Fording is 0.76 meters when unmodified, though an extended exhaust kit can be added which increases fording to 1.52 meters, literally over the heads of the seated occupants. The HMMWV has the ability to accelerate to 50 kmh in 8 seconds and climb 60% slopes or negotiate 40% side slopes.  

     The HMMWV-LOSAT never got beyond the LRIP prototype stage and was never type-standardized, though the LOSAT missiles themselves were type-standardized.  Only 12 advanced prototype HMMWV-LOSATs were produced, and though tests were successful, the program was terminated along with the rest of the Ground Combat Vehicle program.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This vehicle was first seen in service in 2007.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$365,406

D, G, A

198 kg

5.08 tons

3

8

Passive IR (G), Image Intensification (G), FLIR (G)

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

268/134

74/38

95

55

Stnd

W(3)

HF2  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

4xMGM-166A LOSAT Launchers

8xLOSAT

 

HMMWV TOW Carrier M1046A1

     Notes:  This is a standard Armored Weapons Carrier HMMWV fitted with a TOW launch system and supplemental armor consisting of Kevlar panels.  The rear area is fitted with racks for TOW missiles and a ground-mount system to be used if necessary or the situation permitted this. The TOW missile system is fitted with a Thermal Imager, and the gunner stands in the open top hatch of the HMMWV to aim and fire his weapon, and to guide the missile to its target. Generally, the gunner is accompanied by a loader who takes the missiles from the back via a large hatch in the rear or through the gunner’s hatch. The driver remains in his seat, ready to evade incoming fire. The TOW missile system is mounted beside the gunner’s hatch on the HMMWV.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$83,458

D, G, A

286 kg

5.04 tons

3

7

Passive IR (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Open

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

269/136

74/38

95

55

Stnd

W(3)

HF2  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Armament

Ammunition

None

TOW Launcher

10 x TOW ATGM

 

LAV-150 TUA

     Notes: This is a LAV-150 fitted with a hammerhead mount for a TOW weapons system, similar to that mounted on the M901 ITV.  It is a rare system.

     The normal LAV-150 gunner’s position is removed on the TUA, being replaced with a variant of the M901 ITV twin TOW launcher, this elevates for firing and lowers flat against the top of the hull for reloading. The LAV-150 chassis is not large and there is not a lot of room for reloads or for the crew to work. There are no weapons mounted for close fighting and defense depends upon the crew’s personal weapons. The firing ports are deleted on the TUA, bring plated over. Six smoke grenade launchers are found on each side of the vehicle.

     The driver of the LAV-150 TUS is on the front right, and commander beside him on the left.  Originally, the driver and commander were to have the same type of vision blocks as on the M-113, but they were judged too vulnerable and were removed on production versions, replaced with special vision blocks which offered more protection. In the upper glacis plate on the driver’s and commander’s side are further vision blocks. The driver has essentially conventional controls in his compartment, as well as controls for the bilge pump.  Above the driver’s and commander’s position are two hatches; the commander and driver may raise their seats to see out of the hatches.  The commander’s position has no armament; he primarily reads maps and handles navigation, as he does not have the best view of the surrounding situation. The troops enter and exit through a side hatch on both sides of the vehicle; the commander and gunner could also get to their positions through the troop compartment. The side hatches are actually clamshell doors, with a step in the lower door to help exit.  There is also a small door in the rear of the vehicle on the right; this entry was a bit narrow, and is a two-piece door like those on the sides, but only half the width.

     The engine is a 202-horsepower Cummins diesel, coupled to a manual transmission. The axles are taken from the M44 2.5-ton truck.  The tires are specially designed by Cadillac Gage and are run-flat and designed to run even in heavy mud without bogging down.  The tires are also puncture resistant.  The front has a 10-ton-capacity winch in it, and the vehicle carries a 5-ton snatch block to increase the winching power.  The vehicle is fully amphibious, requiring only that bilge pumps be turned on.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$82,515

D, A

476 kg

10.3 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G)

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

169/86

47/24/4

303

104

CiH

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF7  HS4  HR3

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

Twin TOW II launcher

8xTOW II

 

LAV-300 TUA

     Notes: The LAV-300 TUA (TOW Under Armor is a 6x6 wheeled armored vehicle manufactured by Cadillac Gage, but was not adopted by the US Army.  Panama and Kuwait adopted it. The vehicle uses a modified M901 ITV hammerhead TOW launcher system; this is the same launcher as mounted on the LAV-150 TUA above.

     The LAV-300 has a driver’s position on the front right, with a hatch above him and three vision blocks to the front and one to each side.  The center front vision block can be replaced with a night vision block.  The commander has a cupola to the rear of the driver, with a weapon mount on a pintle. The normal LAV-300 firing ports are deleted and plated over. In the sides of the vehicle, at about the center of the vehicle on the right side, is a hatch in the sides of the hull, similar to those on a LAV-150. At the rear is a ramp, normally used for loading of ammunition. On the roof near the rear on each side are banks or clusters of four smoke grenade launchers.

     The LAV-300 is powered by a 270-horsepower Cummins VT-504 turbocharged diesel engine, coupled to an automatic transmission.  The suspension is 6x6 and of an off-road type, with puncture-resistant tires (though they are not run-flat). Ground clearance is decent and the floor armor is strengthened as a measure against mines. The LAV-300 can have added appliqué armor.  The LAV-300 is amphibious after turning on bilge pumps and erecting a trim vane (5 minutes), but amphibious speed is quite slow.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

LAV-300 TUA

$187,136

D, A

459 kg

15.33 tons

4

11

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G)

Enclosed

With Applique

$189,937

D, A

459 kg

15.83 tons

4

11

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

LAV-300 TUA

157/79

43/22/1

435

141

CiH

W(4)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF8  HS5  HR4*

With Applique

153/77

42/22/1

435

141

CiH

W(4)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR4**

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

Twin TOW launcher, MAG (C)

10xTOW II ATGM, 2000x7.62mm

*Floor AV is 4.

**Hull Roof AV is 3; Floor AV is 5Sp.

 

M233A1

     Notes: This was the US Army's solution to making TOW ATGM launchers more mobile before the advent of the M901A1, and it is still being used by many countries.  It is basically a standard M113A1 with a stand for a TOW II ATGM launcher in the passenger area, and racks for reload missiles.  The TOW launcher may be raised and lowered through the deck hatch, which is enlarged for this role.  The gunner must put his head and chest outside the vehicle to aim and fire the launcher.  In Israeli service, this vehicle is also used with the MAPATS launcher. 

     The engine chosen for the M113A1 series, including the M233A1, was the General Motors 6V53, which developed 212 horsepower, and was coupled to an automatic transmission. On the M233A1, a separate, temperature-sensitive mechanism heated the coolant before it circulated through the engine and also supplied heat to an exchanger in the battery box as appropriate. At the center front of the M113 is a small cupola for the commander; this is rotated by the commander simply unlocking the cupola and pulling him around in whichever direction desired.  The cupola has periscopic vision blocks for all-around vision when buttoned up, and a platform with a seat that can be raised and lowered as necessary. The driver’s position is in the left front of the hull; his hatch is above him, to the front and left of the commander’s cupola.  The driver has vision blocks that cover everything except the rear and part of the right-side arcs, and the front one can be easily removed and replaced with a passive IR periscope.  The seat for the driver can be raised and lowered so that the driver may drive with his head outside the hatch or buttoned up.  The controls consist of a gearshift, a gas pedal, and a pair of tillers to steer and brake the vehicle using differential steering. The M233A1 is amphibious with a minimum of preparation (the trim vane must be lowered to its swimming configuration, which takes no more than 15 seconds) – but the M233A1 must already have rubber track skirts installed.  These bolt onto the sides of the M233A1 over the top part of the tracks; when the M233A1 enters the water, an air bubble forms over the top of the tracks to give the M233A1 the extra buoyancy needed for it to float.  Propulsion is by the movement of its tracks.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was still found in several US National Guard units and in the Israeli inventories at the time of hostilities, and went to war with those units.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$200,841

D, A

744 kg

11.8 tons

4

9

Passive IR (D, G)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

130/91

36/25/4

360

124

Stnd

T2

HF6  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

TOW II Launcher

10xTOW II ATGM

 

M901 ITV

     Notes: The ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle) is a development of the M113A2 armored personnel carrier designed to provide mobile antiarmor capability to mechanized infantry formations.  The base M113A2 chassis is equipped with a roof-mounted twin launcher for TOW missiles; these launchers are essentially M220 TOW launchers of the ground-mount type fixed into the vehicular mount.  This launcher is a “hammerhead” mount that may be raised for firing or lowered to allow the launchers to be reloaded with minimum crew exposure to hostile fire.  The missiles are aimed and fired from a downlinked position inside the vehicle.  The launcher may be rotated 360 degrees and accepts any type of TOW missile except the TOW III.  The hammerhead mount has been adapted to over a dozen vehicles throughout the world.  Besides the US (who deployed them in large numbers), the ITV is used by Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Thailand. 

     The engine of the M901 and M901A1 is the turbocharged 6V53T, which develops 212 horsepower and has an improved cooling system.  The transmission is also improved, with an additional forward speed.  The M113A2 chassis also added neutral (pivot) steering capability, with the pivot steering handles being located at the front of the driver’s compartment above and in front of the tillers; however, most M113A2 series vehicles have them disconnected as it was found that the vehicle easily throws tracks under pivot steering, even when simply turning in place. The M901 and M901A1 also have a smoke grenade launcher kit; this consists of a pair of four-tube launchers mounted on either side of the front of the hull, above the fenders.  Originally designed specifically for white or dark smoke vehicular grenades, these launchers were later modified to permit the use of colored smoke or IR screening smoke as well.  The grenades are electrically fired, with a control box on the top of the wall of the engine compartment in front of the commander’s position. The M113-type commander’s cupola is retained, and is normally fitted with an M60 or M240 machinegun; the M2HB is a bit too large to fit into the allotted space, and would obstruct the missile launcher’s field of fire.

     The primary difference between the M901 and M901A1 is the variant of M220 launcher used; the M901 uses the M220A1 launcher, sights, and tracker, while the M901A1 uses the improved M220A2. This translates as differences in the night vision as well as differences in the telescopic day vision (3x for the M220A1 and 6x for the M220A2).

     The M901A3 is based on the better M113A3 chassis, with its 275-horsepower RISE powerpack. The M901A3 has what drivers have been wanting for a long time: a conventional steering yoke and a brake pedal instead of the differential steering and braking system.  This greatly reduced driver fatigue.  The passive IR periscopic sight was replaced with a thermal imager.   An improved neutral steering system was fitted, restoring the pivot steer capability.  Kevlar anti-spalling liners were fitted to increase protection for the occupants.  Finally, the external fuel cells were made standard equipment on the M901A3, also greatly increasing crew survivability. The M901A3 has further upgraded sights, with better night vision and improved 10x range on the telescopic sights.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These vehicles were beginning to be replaced by the M3 variant of the Bradley in US service before the Twilight War, but most US stocks were returned to duty during that conflict. M901A3s do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

M901

$103,966

D, A

718 kg

11.7 tons

4

7

Passive IR (D, G)

Shielded

M901A1

$186,766

D, A

715 kg

11.79 tons

4

7

Passive IR (D), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

M901A3

$185,848

D, A

725 kg

12 tons

4

7

Thermal Imaging (D), 2nd Gen Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

M901

131/92

36/26/4

360

124

CiH

T2

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS4  HR4

M901A1

130/91

36/25/4

360

124

CiH

T2

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS4  HR4

M901A3

158/111

44/31

360

136

CiH

T2

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS5  HR4

 

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

M901

+2

Fair

Twin M220A1 TOW Launcher, M60 or M240 (C)

10xTOW II ATGM, 1000x7.62mm

M901A1

+2

Fair

Twin M220A2 TOW Launcher, M60 or M240 (C)

10xTOW II ATGM, 1000x7.62mm

M901A3

+2

Fair

Twin M220A2 TOW Launcher, M60 or M240 (C)

10xTOW II ATGM, 1000x7.62mm