M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck – Photos & Videos

Den amerikanska militären M274 Lastbil, Plattform, Verktyg, 1/2 Ton, 4X4 eller "Bärare, Lätta vapen, Infanteri, 1/2 ton, 4×4", även känd som "Mula", "Military Mule", eller "Mechanical Mule", är ett 4-hjulsdrivet, bensindrivet lastbils- / traktorfordon som kan bära upp till 1/2 ton terräng. Det introducerades 1956 och användes fram till 1980-talet.

Källkod: M274 Mule på Wikipedia

The M274 ½-ton 4×4 utility platform truck was a versatile and adaptable vehicle that served the U.S. military for over two decades. It was designed by Willys-Overland as a lightweight and agile truck/tractor that could carry up to 0.45 tonnes of cargo or weapons off-road. It was also known as the “Mule”, “Military Mule”, or “Mechanical Mule” because of its ability to traverse rough terrain and climb steep slopes.
The M274 was introduced in 1956 and produced by various manufacturers until 1970. It was used in various operations and conflicts, especially in the Vietnam War, where it was outfitted with different types of weaponry, such as machine guns, recoilless rifles, mortars, and rocket launchers. The M274 could also transport men, supplies, ammunition, and equipment across jungles, rivers, and mountains. The M274 had a gasoline-powered engine that delivered 16 horsepower and a three-speed manual transmission with a two-speed transfer case. It had four-wheel drive and low-pressure tires that gave it traction and stability on uneven ground.
The M274 had a unique feature that allowed the driver’s seat to be removed and the steering column to be moved forward and down. This enabled the vehicle to be driven in reverse or by crawling behind it, which increased its cargo capacity and offered some protection to the driver in case of enemy fire. The M274 was also air-deployable and could be dropped by parachute or carried by helicopter. The M274 was phased out from military service in the 1980s with the introduction of the HMMWV series vehicles.