Danish M113 APC-Type Modifications and Variants

     Notes: Denmark has been using the M113 since the early 1970s, in large numbers (compared to their relatively small military forces) and in over a dozen versions.  APC-type variants range from simple variants with add-on armor (including some 50 with Israeli-type ERA) or appliqué, to the M92 Wildcat (also called the M113A2 DK I), which is similar in concept and appearance to the Twilight 2000 M115 variant of the M113A2.  Denmark plans to modify all of their APC-type M113 versions to the M113 G3 DK and some M92 Wildcat versions, as they plan to acquire heavier IFVs (most likely, the Swedish CV-9040 or its Norwegian counterpart, the CV-9030).  Though some “plain vanilla” M113s and M113A1s are still in service, most of their fleet has been upgraded in some way or another.

Versions with Appliqué Armor and other Minor Upgrades

     The primary version of the M113 that has appliqué armor uses Israeli-designed appliqué armor which has a ribbed appearance on the sides and flat appliqué shielding on the front, as well as a slight thickening of the belly armor (the Urdan package).  The commander’s cupola borrows from the US ACAV-type designs from Vietnam, with all-around gun shields of AV2.  The headlights have been given more protection, and a folding rear-view mirror is attached in front of the driver’s position to allow him to back the vehicle without a ground guide.  Some also have bars to cut low-hanging wires that might otherwise take a driver’s or commander’s head off as the vehicle speeds along.  In another trick borrowed from the US, most Danish M113s have commo wire strung along the front and sides of their vehicles (in a triangular pattern) to allow quick addition of camouflage. Unlike the US, most Danish M113s normally have their swimming side skirts attached, and some of them have the rubber skirts replaced with aluminum skirts which are tougher than their rubber counterparts. Most of the M113s and M113A1s are also upgraded to M113A2 automotive standards; some have had their fuel tanks moved to the rear of the vehicle, like those of the M113A3.  Many of these vehicles are slated for further upgrade to the M113 G3 DK standard (below).

M92 “Wildcat”

     The M92 is a version of the M113A2 similar in concept to the M115, but with a smaller turret and some other modifications.  The nickname “Wildcat” was adopted early in the testing phases of the M92, but officially dropped later in testing; however, troops sometimes still call it the Wildcat (or rather, it’s Danish equivalent).  A more common nickname among the troops is the maskinkanin (machine rabbit), due to its similarity to the word mashinkanon (machine cannon, or autocannon; soldiers are experts at puns). The M92 is the only version of the M113 that has been completely built and modified in Denmark; the Danes have a license to build the M113A2 because of the heavy modifications they intended to carry out to produce the M92.  E. Falck Schmidt A/S, which produced Denmark’s version of the M41 light tank (the M41DK I) is the company that produced the M92.  The first versions, the M92A1, were produced in the early 1908s; the modifications to the M92A1 that produced the M92A2 began in the early 1990s.

     The M92A1 is more based on the M113A2, but other than the turret, the most readily identifiable feature is the rear-mounted fuel tanks.  The trim vane is a bit thicker, to help stabilize the now top-heavy vehicle during amphibious operations.  The M92 still carries a small squad of troops, but the hatch on the rear deck is much smaller due to the turret.  The rear face hatch and door remain the same, as does the driver’s station.  Three troops sit on each side, with the seventh (normally the squad leader) being to the rear of the turret and facing to the rear. They have access to a collective NBC system. The turret is a two-man model (just barely – it is a bit on the small side).  The turret ring is reinforced to help protect against the unavoidable shot trap.  It has a commander’s hatch, but the gunner uses the commander’s hatch or the rear hatch for entry and exit.  Ammunition is primarily stored in the large turret bustle.  The turret of the M92A1 has a good day/night vision suite.  (The turret is, in fact, the Italian Otobreda T-25 turret.) Armament consists of a 25mm autocannon and a coaxial machinegun; no provision is made for a commander’s machinegun.  On each side of the turret are four smoke grenade launchers.

     The M92A2 began as a temporary upgrade to the M92A1 for use in the former Yugoslavia during Denmark’s IFOR and SFOR commitments.  The engine is an improved turbocharged 300-horsepower MTU diesel engine; this gave the M92A1 the power necessary for the other planned modifications to be carried out.  The primary modification in mind was Urdan-type appliqué armor, but the night vision suite was also modified to give the commander and gunner thermal imagers.  The suspension was also beefed up considerably, and an improved heater as well as an air conditioner was added. A laser rangefinder was added to the fire control computer.  The controls are similar to the US M113A3, with a conventional steering yoke, a brake pedal, and a gas pedal.

The M113 G3 DK

     As the M113-based APC fleet passes into less and less use with the acquisition of more advanced APCs and IFVs, the M113-based APC is no longer required to perform a semi-IFV role like the M92.  However, the M113-based APC will still perform a role in Danish armed forces, and most of them will eventually be a version called the M113 G3 DK.  This is essentially Denmark’s version of the M113A3; it is equipped with rear-mounted fuel tanks and a 300-horsepower engine and matching drive train.  The driver’s station is also modified with a fully automatic transmission, steering yoke, brake pedal, and gas pedal.  The suspension itself is improved to smooth out the ride, and the steering, accelerator, and braking system are much more responsive, primarily for driving in the tight quarters of many European towns and traffic.  Likewise, noise and exhaust systems are modified to conform to EURO 2 standards.  The M113 G3 DK is also up-armored with the Urdan appliqué armor kit mentioned above.  The vehicle has a collective NBC system. The commander’s station has a turret with night vision.  This version will, with small amounts of the M92A2, form most of the Danish M113 APC fleet in the coming years; most M113s will in fact be specialist vehicles rather than APCs.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Some 50 M92s were ready for the Twilight War; only 5 of these were M92A2s.  Few others were made after the beginning of the Twilight War, though there were several modifications of M92A1s into M92A2s.  Likewise, most “plain vanilla” M113s were converted into M113 DKs.  The M113 G3 DK does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*Belly and top armor are 3.