M551A2 Sheridan

[ChalkLine]

This is the final of my Sheridan revisions for combat in T2K. It assumes that the 82nd Airborne and the NTC VisMod vehicles are returned to store for upgrade.

At rearmament the US army had insufficient cavalry divisions, and in 1999 and the reintroduction of the draft the 61st, 63rd, 64th, 65th and 66th cavalry divisions we reactivated. As these were third echelon units they were primarily issued with older equipment drawn from storage. These 'Twilight Divisions' drew on mothballed stocks of equipment modernised to meet the challenges of the third world war.

M551A2 Sheridan Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle.

No longer amphibious or air-droppable, the M551A2 is a light combat vehicle utilising the hull, turret and suspension of the M551A1 TTS. The M8E1 rifled gun/launcher, the M219 coaxial TMG, the 6V53T diesel power pack and drive train is removed and placed in storage.
These systems are replaced with the M119A3T modified howitzer, M240T coaxial machine gun and the 6V53TIA diesel power pack and drive train.

The M119A3T is a rebuilt M119 Hamel 105mm howitzer, cut down and simplified using the same techniques with which the M3 105mm Howitzer was made from the M2/M101 105mm howitzer. The barrel is shortened by 700mm which reduces trunnion stress by roughly 1/3rd, and the M8E1 recoil system modified to take the less violent weapon. Recoil length is still roughly 400mm. The same elevation of +19.5° to -8° is maintained, and the weapon is direct fire only. Because the weapon is not designed for indirect fire the propellant charges are pre assembled using only Charge 3 rating. As such the weapon maintains similar ballistic and range characteristics as the M8E1, even though a new sighting system is used. Firing this weapon still exhibits a large muzzle flash, partially alleviated by the M119 double flange muzzle brake, but the considerably less violent recoil is absorbed by the chassis without lifting road wheels or slewing the turret, as was formerly the case.
The old M219 coaxial machine gun was known for its extremely poor reliability, despite being a 'Browning' weapon. The replacement with the M240T and its Egress Package containing a polymer butt, foregrip, heat shield and bipod gives the gunner a reliable weapon to back up the main gun.
With the total 6V53T power pack production needed for M113A3 replacement and upkeep, the newer 6V53TIA with its superb new transmission is available to upgrade the already nimble vehicle. For the first time the M441 would have a transmission capable of dealing with the power output of its power pack. The increase of power from 275 bhp to 400 bhp is important to maintain agility despite the weight of the up armour package.

The hull sides are removed and the flotation screen discarded. In place of the thin sides M113 armour sections cut from wrecked vehicles are installed, adding spaced panels 45mm thick to the sides of the vehicle. The 25mm mine floor package is standard already on the M551A1 that the new vehicle is based on. Applique 45mm Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium armour plates are attached to the glacis, hull front and vehicle rear, also sourced from M113 wrecks. New spaced turret armour is installed adding 22mm of RHA. ERA lugs are installed over the front arc.
The turret is stripped out of its former obsolete electrical wiring and new solid state control modules installed. Main gun ammo capacity is upgraded from the former extremely volatile 30 combustible rounds to 45 wet-store 105mm howitzer ammunition. Finally, a spall liner is installed throughout the crew compartments.

While some turrets are fitted with excess M19 commander's cupolas from the M60A3, this is not an authorised modification and only the 66th cavalry receive these vehicles.

The M551A2 is a dedicated reconnaissance vehicle, and relies on its companion vehicles and air support for ant tank capability. Although the designated ammunition load includes L42 HESH rounds, engaging MBTs is still not recommended.

The following uses Paul's vehicle format:

M551A2
Price: $223,463 + $75,000
Fuel Type: D,A
Load: 600kg
Crew: 4
Maintenance: 6
Night Vision: Passive IR, Starlight (x8/x12), Thermal
Radiological: Shielded
Travel Move: 150/95
Combat Move: 30/21/3
Fuel Capacity: 598 litres
Fuel consumption: 110
Configuration: Tracked
Suspension: T4
Armour: TF20 TS8 TR8 HF30 HS6 HR6
Fire Control: +3
Stabilisation: Fair
Armament: M119A3T, M240T, M2HB
Ammunition: 45 x 105mm Howitzer, 3080 x 7.62mm, 1000 x 12.7mm

Weight: 17 tonnes
Length: 20.6 ft (6.3 m)
Width: 9.1 ft (2.8 m)
Height: 7.5 ft (2.3 m)
Crew: 4 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Engine: General Motors 6V53TIA, 6 cylinder, supercharged diesel 400 hp (300 kW)
Power/weight: 22 hp/tonne
Suspension: Torsion bar
Operational range: 348 mi (560 km)
Speed: 100 km/h (60 mph)