Recov Veh Improv Prog
Abstract
The M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES), designated as an ACAT IC program on 15 Jun 2016, has been providing towing, winching, and hoisting operations to support battlefield recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other tracked combat vehicles since its production and deployment in 1998. The HERCULES recovers tanks mired to different depths, removes M1 Abrams turrets and power packs, and uprights overturned heavy combat vehicles. Currently, the M88A2 is unable to safely perform Single Vehicle Recovery (SVR) of the Abrams tank in all conditions, due to added weight/survivability improvements made to the tank. In order to ensure SVR is met, Project Director- Main Battle Tank Systems (PD-MBTS) will develop and integrate technologies for the M88A2 HERCULES through an Operations and Support (O&S) initiative to meet its operational requirements of SVR throughout its life cycle. This initiative is not intended to exceed current operational capability, but will instead regain SVR capability of the heaviest tracked combat vehicle. Technical assessments and analyses will be used to evaluate design solutions to meet SVR, and inform key program decision points. The goal of the assessments will be to provide confidence to Army Leadership that a M88A2 HERCULES solution is affordable, achievable, and feasible using existing technology with manageable risk. Limited analyses, conducted to date, suggests that upgrades to the M88A2 track, suspension, hydraulics, engine, transmission and other related components are required. FY 2019 Base dollars will be used to continue the development of SVR ECP, initiate fabrication of vehicle prototypes, and continue the development of the transmission upgrade ECP (the longest developmental item).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 280_0203735A_7_2040_PB_2019
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