M88A1 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle
By 1960, the US Army needed a new armored recovery vehicle (ARV). It was still relying on the M32, which was based on the World War II-era M4 Sherman; the M32 could neither be expected to survive on a nuclear battlefield, nor could it recover increasingly heavier marks of the M60 Patton. To replace the M32, the Army turned to the simple expedient of using the M48 chassis for a basis, which would provide commonality of parts as well. The M88 entered service in 1961. An improved version, with better nuclear protection and based on the M60 chassis, the M88A1, entered service in 1977.
Though it uses the chassis of the Patton, the M88 above the tracks is a completely new design. The crew is enclosed inside an armored casemate, with a crane and heavy winch attached, with a capability of towing 56 tons. A spade is provided that allows the M88 to dig fighting positions for tanks, or to brace it when pulling maximum loads. A single Browning M2HB .50 caliber machine gun is standard for self-defense. In a pinch, the M88 can even be used as an emergency refueling vehicle, transferring its own fuel to tanks, though this is not recommended on a regular basis.
The M88 and M88A1 proved to be reliable machines, but with the advent of the M1 Abrams, it took two M88s to tow a single M1, which weighed 70 tons. There was also concern (born out of Israeli experience in the Yom Kippur War and American experience in the First Gulf War) that the M88 was vulnerable to antitank missiles. The M88A2 went into production in 1991: it was slightly larger and heavier, which cost it in speed, but a single M88A2 could tow a M1. It could also be equipped with side skirts and applique armor to give it better protection. The Army gave the M88A2 the name HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System).
The M88A2 has become the standard ARV of the US Army, as well as 22 other nations. The still-heavier M1A2s of the Iraq conflict meant that the M88A2 could no longer safely tow a M1A2, so the US Army has ordered an upgraded M88A3 to accomplish this mission. As of this writing, there are no plans to replace the reliable and long-lived M88...except with another M88.
This former US Army M88A1 is a fairly recent arrival at the National Museum of Military Vehicles, as it is parked outside and not under the storage shed. Plans are for the NMMV to have a modern warfare wing, so eventually this M88 will be moved inside.
M88A1 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle
By 1960, the US Army needed a new armored recovery vehicle (ARV). It was still relying on the M32, which was based on the World War II-era M4 Sherman; the M32 could neither be expected to survive on a nuclear battlefield, nor could it recover increasingly heavier marks of the M60 Patton. To replace the M32, the Army turned to the simple expedient of using the M48 chassis for a basis, which would provide commonality of parts as well. The M88 entered service in 1961. An improved version, with better nuclear protection and based on the M60 chassis, the M88A1, entered service in 1977.
Though it uses the chassis of the Patton, the M88 above the tracks is a completely new design. The crew is enclosed inside an armored casemate, with a crane and heavy winch attached, with a capability of towing 56 tons. A spade is provided that allows the M88 to dig fighting positions for tanks, or to brace it when pulling maximum loads. A single Browning M2HB .50 caliber machine gun is standard for self-defense. In a pinch, the M88 can even be used as an emergency refueling vehicle, transferring its own fuel to tanks, though this is not recommended on a regular basis.
The M88 and M88A1 proved to be reliable machines, but with the advent of the M1 Abrams, it took two M88s to tow a single M1, which weighed 70 tons. There was also concern (born out of Israeli experience in the Yom Kippur War and American experience in the First Gulf War) that the M88 was vulnerable to antitank missiles. The M88A2 went into production in 1991: it was slightly larger and heavier, which cost it in speed, but a single M88A2 could tow a M1. It could also be equipped with side skirts and applique armor to give it better protection. The Army gave the M88A2 the name HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System).
The M88A2 has become the standard ARV of the US Army, as well as 22 other nations. The still-heavier M1A2s of the Iraq conflict meant that the M88A2 could no longer safely tow a M1A2, so the US Army has ordered an upgraded M88A3 to accomplish this mission. As of this writing, there are no plans to replace the reliable and long-lived M88...except with another M88.
This former US Army M88A1 is a fairly recent arrival at the National Museum of Military Vehicles, as it is parked outside and not under the storage shed. Plans are for the NMMV to have a modern warfare wing, so eventually this M88 will be moved inside.