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 TM 9-8000
Section II. TRACKED VEHICLES
airborne assault weapons will be armored lightly. This
35-5. Armored Hulls of Tanks. The tank hull is the
type of vehicle hull will be required to have swimming
strongest and heaviest hull used on any vehicle. It must
capabilities as well as the capability to withstand the
be fabricated to withstand ballistic shocks from high-
weapon firing loads.
velocity kinetic energy-type projectiles, the blast effects
of high-explosive rounds and mines, and the penetrating
The second type of unarmored self-propelled guns is
effects of chemical energy rounds, and be rigid enough
large-caliber weapon systems employed primarily for
to provide a stable firing platform for the primary weapon
counterbattery fire, the destruction of field works and
system and fire control equipment. In addition, it must
reinforced concrete, interdiction fire, and to demoralize
provide sufficient space in its interior to house the
the enemy. This class of vehicles includes the 175-mm
propulsion system, an adequate fuel supply, working
space for the crew, and stowage space for ammunition
require extensive armor, because they normally are
and necessary supplies and equipment. The hull also
employed far enough behind the battleline to encounter
must be small and light enough to have a reasonable
only long-range predicted fire weapon attacks.
degree of maneuverability and to be able to pass over
Furthermore, because the weapon weight for this type
and through standard traffic lanes, bridges, and
of vehicle Is large, the addition of armor would degrade
overpasses.
their mobility seriously. The prime hull design
consideration for this type of vehicle is the weapon firing
Tank hulls of the type shown in figure 35-4 are one-piece
reaction load.
castings of armor steel with a welded floor of rolled
armor plate. They contain a driver's compartment in the
35-7. Wheeled Amphibian Hulls. Wheeled amphibious
front portion, a crew compartment at the center, and a
vehicles have both a hull and a frame. Designed to
compartment for the engine and transmission at the rear.
provide buoyancy necessary for flotation, the basic hull
The crew compartment is separated from the engine
assembly is of all-steel, watertight, welded construction,
compartment by a steel bulkhead that is welded in place
with reinforcements to add to its rigidity. It is built to
and serves as a firewall between the two compartments.
accept the chassis frame and powerplant. The frame,
Access doors and plates in this bulkhead provide access
similar to a conventional truck frame, is installed inside
to the accessory end of the engine.
and is bolted to the hull. The powerplant and power train
are supported by the frame. The running gear,
35-6. Unarmored Hulls and Self-Propelled Guns.
underneath the hull, is attached to both the hull and
There are, in general, two types of unarmored self-
frame.
propelled guns. The first type, such as the M56, 90-mm
self-propelled gun (fig. 35-5), is unarmored in order to
35-8. Tracked Amphibian Hulls. The hull of tracked
achieve the weight restriction imposed by phase I
landing vehicles is defined as the framework of the
airborne operations. These weapon systems provide
vehicle, together with all inside and outside plating but
close support and antitank capabilities to airborne
exclusive of equipment. It is the main, or central, section
operations. Although these vehicles are subjected to
that runs from front to rear; it consists of the cab, cargo
direct enemy fire, they rely on their speed and agility for
compartment, and engine room. Technically, a part of
their safety. As the airborne weight limitations are
the hull are the pontons that are welded to each side of
relaxed, due to improved aircraft, it is probable that
it. Engines, controls, armament, and driving assemblies
future
are housed in, or mounted on, the main hull.
35-4
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