M901 ITV
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| M901 ITV | |
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| Type | Tank destroyer using ATGMs |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 12 metric tons |
| Length | 4.863 m |
| Width | 2.686 m |
| Height | 2.940 m (targeting head stowed), 3.410 m (head extended) |
| Crew | 4 (squad leader, gunner, loader, driver) |
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The M901 ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle) is a United States Army armored vehicle designed to carry a dual M220 TOW launcher. It is based on the ubiquitous M113 Armored Personnel Carrier chassis.
[edit] Equipment
M901 ITV provides the crew and weapon system protection from small-arms fire and artillery fragments. The squad leader has a 270-degree range of view through the squad leader's periscope (SLP). The turret launcher has the capability for day and night acquisition and tracking of targets, and it provides firing coverages of 360 degrees in azimuth and +35 to -30 degrees in elevation. The ITV has stowage provisions for tripod-mounted TOW components configured so the ground system can be dismounted and set up in three to five minutes. In addition, the ITV can ford small bodies of water (40 inches or less) and is air transportable. It has the following characteristics:
- A complete M220-series TOW weapon system stowed and strapped in fixed mounting brackets. The daysight tracker and nightsight (AN/TAS-4 or AN/TAS-4) are mounted in an operational ready state.
- A dual M220 TOW launcher.
- M243 smoke grenade launchers.
- A 3x acquisition sight with a 25-degree field of view.
- Remote actuators that allow daysight tracker and nightsight adjustments.
- A machine gun mounted on a traversing rail.
- A hydraulically and electrically powered "hammerhead" turret, attached to a modified M27 cupola, that can be operated manually.
The system is capable of firing two missiles without reloading and carries ten TOW rounds in the missile rack. Reloading is performed under armor protection and is accomplished by tilting the launching apparatus back so that the crew can reach the turret through the carrier's rear roof hatch. The missile launcher targeting head is at the end of a pivoting arm which raises the launcher assembly for firing. When stowed, the turret is aimed down and to the rear of the vehicle.
[edit] Variants
| Designation | Description |
|---|---|
| M901 | employs the M220A1 TOW |
| M901A1 | employs the M220A2 TOW 2 |
| M901A3 | employs the M220A2 TOW 2 and incorporates the RISE powerpack and improved driver controls of the M113A3. |
[edit] Resembling Vehicles
The M981 FISTV (Fire Support Team Vehicle) armored vehicle is based on the M901 ITV and closely resembles it, in a deliberate effort to make it less conspicuous on the battlefield.
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