Designed for C-130 Hercules low-velocity air drop (LVAD) and airland roll-on/roll-off, the M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) can be flown with Airborne rapid deployment forces by C-130 and larger STOL and VTOL aircraft to troubled "hot spots" around the globe. The automatically loaded, lightweight 105mm cannon fires all NATO standard and enhanced ammunition at the rate of 12 rounds-per-minute. The quickness, balance and speed of the AGS provide superior mobility against battlefield opponents.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product926.html
The AGS has increasing levels of modular passive protection that can be tailored to meet the tactical situation. Its built-in diagnostics locate and isolate trouble fast. Work on the vehicle's powerpack is an operator's dream. Layout of fire and operator's controls were designed for the crew. The commander has unsurpassed vision for first-look, first-kill capability. Backed by a world-class team, the AGS provides the potential capability to fulfill multiple missions and roles.
Following an international competition, in mid-1992 the U.S. Army selected the FMC Corporation, Ground Systems Division (later United Defense LP and now BAE), to build its Armored Gun System (AGS) to replace the M551 Sheridan light tanks used by the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor of the 82nd Airborne Division and replace the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment's vulnerable Humvee trucks.
http://www.combatreform.com/lighttanks.htm
The M551 has now been retired from the U.S. Army without replacement--which is a travesty of bureaucracy.
http://www.geocities.com/armorhistory
To reduce total life cycle costs, proven and in production subsystems have been used wherever possible, for example M8 Buford tracks and roadwheels are from M113 Gavin light tanks; the engine is a derivative of that fitted to the M977 (8x8) HEMMTT truck, the transmission is from the medium Bradley tank; the commander's and gunner's hand controls are from the Bradley; the laser range-finder and crosswind sensor are from the M1A1 Abrams and the computer control panel is from the Challenger 2 heavy tanks.
The XM8 was Type Classified as the M8 Buford Armored Gun System in October 1995 by the U.S. Army and declared production ready. BAE continues to market the 105mm gun M8 Buford and 120mm gun-equipped Thunderbolt AGS light tanks overseas, especially Asia, the Middle East and Europe and one of the six prototypes of the vehicle was shown in Europe in June 1996.
Late in 1997, FNSS Defense Systems of Turkey and United Defense LP, teamed to offer the M8 AGS to the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).
In September 1997, the second of the six prototype M8 AGS built with the highest protection Level III was demonstrated in Turkey during which it undertook firepower and mobility demonstrations for the TLFC.
According to United Defense LP, the M8 AGS is well suited to sub-national conflict (SNC) peacemaking-keeping operations, such as Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan where the TLFC has been deployed;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP1JXyFR7Oc
as well as being used in traditional nation state war (NSW) Cavalry roles of reconnaissance and Airborne, Special and Light infantry fire support.
http://www.combatreform.com/whereisthecavalry.htm
As well as being less expensive to procure than an heavy tank, the M8 Buford AGS has a much lower life cycle cost. According to BAE, the fuel cost of the M8 AGS is U.S.$0.60 per km compared to U.S. $5.35 per km of a heavy tank with spare parts per km being U.S. $35 and U.S. $137 respectively.
Costs would be even less with hybrid electric drive and band tracks:
http://www.combatreform.com/hybridelectricdrive.htm
http://www.combatreform.com/bandtracks.htm
The M8 Buford is armed with a 105mm M35 rifled gun, fed by an automatic loader, which fires the same natures of ammunition as all of the medium-to-heavy tanks (Leopard 1, M48 and M60 series) currently in service with the TLFC.
If selected by Turkey, the M8 would be manufactured under licence by FNSS Defense Systems which is a joint venture company established to build 1,698 M113 Gavin Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles (AIFVs).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcTWacVuqf8
The existing Turkish AIFV machinery, tooling and fixtures could be reconfigured for the M8 AGS with a minimum of investment according to BAE.
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Tags: M113 Gavin M8 Buford Thunderbolt AGS armored gun system light tank 82nd airborne paratroopers
