Cadillac Gage Commando | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Role | Armored car |
| Designed | June 1962 |
| Built | 3200+ |
The Cadillac Gage Commando, frequently denoted as the M706 in US military service, was an American armored car designed to be amphibious. It was engineered by Cadillac Gage specifically for the United States Military Police Corps during the Vietnam War as an armed convoy escort vehicle. The Commando was one of the first vehicles to combine the traditionally separate roles of an armored personnel carrier and a conventional armored car, much like the Soviet BTR-40. Its notable height, amphibious capability, and waterproofed engine allowed American crews to fight effectively in the jungles of Vietnam by observing their opponents over thick vegetation and fording the country’s deep rivers
| V-100 Commando Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Ontario Regiment Museum, Oshawa |
| Photos | 81 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando is an American four-wheeled armored car that was developed in the early 1960s. Designed for the dual role of reconnaissance and internal security (counter-insurgency), the V-100 was characterized by its simple, rugged design and amphibious capability. It was one of the first successful post-war wheeled armored vehicles to be mass-exported worldwide, seeing extensive combat during the Vietnam War, where its mobility and light armor provided a significant advantage in escort and perimeter defense duties. The V-100’s primary feature is its V-shaped hull, which offers better protection against mine blasts compared to conventional flat hulls, though its armor protection against heavy weapons is limited.
| Property | Typical Value (V-100) |
|---|---|
| Role | Armored Personnel Carrier, Reconnaissance, Internal Security |
| National Origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac Gage (Textron Marine & Land Systems) |
| Service Entry | 1964 |
| Crew/Capacity | 2 (Driver, Commander) + 10 Passengers |
| Configuration | 4×4, Wheeled Armored Vehicle |
| Length | 5.69 m (18 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) (To turret roof) |
| Combat Weight | 9.88 tonnes (10.9 short tons) |
Powerplant and Mobility
- Engine: 1 x Chrysler V8 gasoline engine (later models often upgraded to diesel).
- Power Output: 200 hp (149 kW).
- Maximum Speed (Road): 100 km/h (62 mph).
- Maximum Speed (Water): 4.8 km/h (3 mph) (Amphibious, propelled by wheels).
- Mobility: Permanent four-wheel drive and a short wheelbase provide high cross-country mobility. The vehicle is fully amphibious without special preparation.
Armament and Armor
- Armor: All-welded steel construction, providing protection against small arms fire and shell fragments.
- Primary Armament: Usually configured with an open-top turret mounting twin 7.62 mm machine guns (e.g., M73 or M60), or sometimes a combination of a 7.62 mm and a .50 cal (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun.
- Alternative Armament: Variants could be fitted with a larger turret housing a 20 mm cannon or 40 mm grenade launcher for heavier fire support.
- Legacy: The V-100 led to the development of the larger and more heavily armed V-150 and V-200 series, and its chassis layout continues to influence modern armored vehicle design.
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