Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
1986 |
Crew |
1 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
25 t |
Length |
6.24 m |
Width |
3.2
m |
Height |
2.66 m |
Mobility |
Engine |
Cummins V903C diesel |
Engine power |
295 hp |
Maximum road speed |
48 km/h |
Amphibious speed on water |
4.8 km/h |
Range |
368 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
40% |
Vertical step |
~ 0.6 m |
Trench |
~ 2.6 m |
Fording |
0.9 m |
Fording (with preparation) |
Amphibious |
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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.
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