M9 ACE

   The M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) is a US Army engineering vehicle, intended for battlefield preparation. First operational vehicles were delivered in 1986. The US Army acquired a total of 448 of these engineering vehicles. It is also in service with US Marine Corps. The M9 ACE performed exceptionally well in Operation Desert Storm.

   Tasks of this combat engineering vehicle include digging positions for armored vehicles and field artillery systems, to increase their survivability. It also breaches berms, prepares anti-tank trenches, barriers, repairs roads, clears obstacles, prepares riverbanks for vehicle crossing.

   Front of the M9 ACE features a 6.7 m³ capacity bowl, apron and dozer blade. This engineering vehicle has a unique hydropneumatic suspension, which allows the front of the vehicle to be, lowered, raised, or tilted. It permits dozing, excavating, grading and ditching functions. In earthmoving operations the apron and blade are lowered for digging. Also by raising it's dozer blade and using it's scrapper blade, the M9 fills itself with ballast to improve earth working efficiency. It can also dump it out as a front-end loader.

   This combat engineering vehicle has a welded and bolted aluminum hull structure with selected steel and aramid-laminated plates. Hull of the M9 ACE provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell fragments. There is also an NBC protection system for the operator.

   This armored earthmover carries no defensive armament. During combat operations the M9 ACE is usually protected by an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.

   The M9 ACE is operated by a single engineer.

   This armored earthmover is powered by a Cummins V903C turbocharged diesel engine, developing 295 hp. Engine and transmission are located in the rear of the hull. With short preparation this combat engineer vehicle is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by it's tracks. However later amphibious mission of the ACE was deleted and the swim related components are no longer maintained. The M9 can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules, or larger military cargo aircraft.

   All operational M9 combat earthmovers were constantly upgraded to improve their performance, reliability, durability and readiness. Improved machines might look the same from the outside, however these are completely overhauled.