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2013-01-01

M88A2 HERCULES

The M88A2 HERCULES is a combat-proven, fully-tracked, steel-armored recovery vehicle that performs hoisting, winching and towing operations for heavy 70-ton combat systems. It is equipped to assist in the repair of disabled vehicles under general field conditions and to recover vehicles under hostile fire. HERCULES can cut in half the number of recovery vehicles and personnel required to perform recovery missions in support of modern tank forces.

With the lowest acquisition, operational and maintenance cost of any 70-ton capable recovery system, HERCULES is an answer to the need for a cost-effective, self-supporting, heavy recovery performance vehicle that has been tested and proven to tow and hoist heaviest combat vehicles. The vehicle is equipped to carry out repairs to other supported vehicles in the battlefield. The M88A2 armored recovery vehicles were introduced into the US Army in 1997 and deployed in wars in the Gulf and Kosovo. The M88A2 recovery vehicle meets the US Army’s requirements for a well-equipped recovery vehicle, which safely performs towing, winching and recovery operations in war zones. The M88A2 vehicle can also winch inoperative heavyweight M1A1/2 Abrams tanks.

It is a variant of the M88 HERCULES, which was designed and manufactured by Bowen McLaughlin York (BMY). BMY merged with FMC in 1964 to form United Defense Industries. In 2005, United Defense Industries was acquired by BAE Systems Land and Armaments. The M88A2 is now being manufactured by BAE Systems.

The HERCULES was the primary 70-ton recovery system during Operation Iraqi Freedom. US troops had found a few other creative uses for its capabilities when they used it to pull down the deposed Iraqi ruler’s statue in Baghdad on April 9, 2003. HERCULES utilizes a hull designed for the recovery mission and thoroughly proven by US Army testing. Stability and performance are unmatched by any alternate tank-based design.

Key Features

Key features of the M88A2 HERCULES include: improved power-assisted braking to enable the recovery vehicle to tow an M1A1 tank, increased horsepower, improved steering, improved electrical system, a modernized hydraulic system and a boom that enables the vehicle to lift an M1A1 turret. HERCULES has the lowest acquisition, operational and maintenance cost of any 70-ton capable recovery system. The M88A2 also provides unparalleled capability for recovering today’s heavy combat vehicles including the M1A1, M1A2, Leopard MBT, bridging systems and other medium to heavy weight vehicles.

M88A2 HERCULES offers operational and logistics commonality with the existing M88A1 fleet, simplifying training and parts availability.

Technology

The HERCULES can recover up to 70t combat vehicles such as Leopard, M1A1, M1A2, bridging systems and other vehicles. Technically improved to give greater performance, the M88A2 was also equipped with extra armor. HERCULES is equipped with a .50-calibre machine gun.

HERCULES features overlay armor protection, ballistic skirts, a longer 35-ton boom, a 140,000-pound (63,504 kg) constant pull main winch with 280 feet of cable, and an auxiliary three-ton winch to aid main winch cable deployment. The M88A2 was developed to give 55 percent more winching power, 40 percent more lifting strength and 25 percent extra towing muscle. It can provide refuel and de-fuel facilities to vehicles when required and be used for slave-starting and hydraulic winching. The M88A2 HERCULES is built and equipped to be the world’s recovery champion.

The vehicle is equipped with enhanced propulsion system. It also employs an auxiliary power unit (APU) which offers auxiliary electrical and hydraulic power when the main engine is not in operation. The vehicle’s fuel capacity is 413gal and its road speed is 41km/h.

Mine Protection

The hull of the M88A2 Hercules is designed to offer protection against anti-personnel mines, artillery fragments and small arms fire. The vehicle is equipped with .50 caliber machine gun with 1,300 rounds for self-protection. It can perform evacuation, recovery and repair of battle tanks and other vehicles in a battlefield.

The vehicle is equipped with armored track skirts and smoke screen generators, and provides protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attacks.

Winching Power

All winches are hydraulically operated. The vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU) that provides backup hydraulic and electrical power. The APU also provides power for refueling and fuel transfer. The vehicle carries a crew of three: commander, operator and mechanic and has compartment space for four members of the recovered vehicle.

Survivability

HERCULES features overlay armor protection, ballistic skirts and NBC face mask protection.

Recovery

HERCULES has a longer 35 ton boom, a 140,000-pound constant pull main winch with 280 feet of cable and an auxiliary 3 ton winch to aid main winch cable deployment.

Mission

Specifically designed with the tractive power to safely tow and winch mired or disabled vehicles, and the hoisting capability to upright overturned vehicles, change powerpacks or remove MBT turrets.

Support

As the designer and OEM of the M88 Family of Vehicles (FOV), BAE Systems also provide New Equipment Training, Operator & Operator-Maintenance Training, Configuration Control and upgrades.

Orders and Deliveries

HERCULES is currently in production for the US Army, USMC and foreign governments.

In May 2001, BAE systems were awarded a $21.8m contract by the Egyptian defense forces for the co-production of 13 M88A2 recovery vehicles.

In November 2006, the US Army ordered 113 M88A2 vehicles in a $251m contract. The contractual scope also includes supply of spare parts and extension of system technical support to the US Army. The deliveries were completed in 2009.

In 2008, the US Army placed another order with BAE Systems for 90 M88A2 army-configured vehicles and four vehicles for the US Marine Corps. The contract was worth $185m. Another 39 vehicles were ordered by the US Army under an $81.4m contract awarded in May 2009.

In July 2010, BAE systems received a $70m contract to convert 30 US Army M88A1 hulls into M88A2 HERCULES vehicles.

The US Army placed a $165.5m contract for 43 vehicles in July 2011.

In August 2011, BAE was awarded a $108.4m contract to provide 29 HERCULES vehicles to the US Army and 16 vehicles to the US Marine Corps.

In October 2012, BAE was awarded a $31.8m contract to deliver eight more M88A2 vehicles to the Iraqi Army.

The work will be performed by the existing workforce at BAE Systems operations in York, Pennsylvania and Aiken, South Carolina. The York facility will fabricate the new hulls for the M88A2 configuration and the Aiken facility will manufacture some of the parts for vehicles. Work is expected to begin in late 2013 and is anticipated to be complete in mid-2014.

This award brings the total value of US Government contracts that BAE Systems has received for the HERCULES program to $1.4 billion. To date, more than 500 HERCULES vehicles have been fielded against an overall US Army requirement of 748 vehicles. A total of 75 vehicles have been fielded to the US Marine Corps. The remaining deliveries are expected to be completed by December 2013.

In 2010, BAE Systems produced and delivered eight M88A2s for the Iraqi Army, bringing the total number of M88A2s the company has provided for Iraq to 16. Earlier this year, BAE Systems overhauled and delivered 440 M113A2 personnel carriers to the Iraqi Army through a foreign military sale worth more than $31 million. Till date, the US government has awarded contracts worth $1.4bn to BAE systems for the HERCULES vehicles program.

Reference / Photo Credit : www.baesystems.com

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