Veicolo da combattimento corazzato M114 – Foto e video

Galleria fotografica di un M114, The M114 Command and Reconnaissance Carrier is a Vietnam War-era tracked armored fighting vehicle, used by the United States Army. It was manufactured by the Cadillac Division of General Motors in the early 1960s. The M114 was designed to be fast and stealthy. Like the larger M113, it was amphibious and could be deployed by parachute. However unlike the M113 which became one of the most successful armoured vehicles, it quickly proved unsuited to use in the Vietnam war, and was replaced in the reconnaissance role by the M551 Sheridan light tank. By 1973, it had been branded a failure and retired by the US Army, but some released as surplus continue to be used by police departments.

fonte: M114 su Wikipedia

Le M114 armored fighting vehicle was a command and reconnaissance carrier that served in the Vietnam War with the United States Army. It was produced by the Cadillac Division of General Motors in the early 1960s, and was intended to be a fast and stealthy vehicle that could scout ahead of the main force and report enemy positions and movements. The M114 was based on the M113 armored personnel carrier, but was smaller, lighter and lower in profile. It had a three-man crew and was armed with a .50-caliber machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The M114 was also amphibious and air-droppable, making it versatile for different terrains and missions.
Tuttavia, l'M114 si dimostrò presto inaffidabile, sottopotenziato e vulnerabile in combattimento. Aveva scarse prestazioni fuoristrada, specialmente nell'ambiente della giungla del Vietnam, ed era soggetto a guasti meccanici. Mancava anche di un'adeguata protezione per l'equipaggio, che era esposto al fuoco nemico e alle mine terrestri. L'M114 non era in grado di attraversare facilmente fossati o torrenti e aveva difficoltà a nuotare a causa del suo basso bordo libero. L'M114 fu ritirato dal Vietnam nel 1964 e sostituito dal più capace carro leggero M551 Sheridan. L'M114 fu ufficialmente ritirato dall'esercito degli Stati Uniti nel 1973, dopo essere stato considerato un fallimento dal generale Creighton Abrams.