Alvis Saracen APCs in GURPS

The Saracen was the British army’s standard APC from its introduction in 1952 until 1963, remaining in service for internal security work until the early 1980s. Even after the British Army stopped buying them, Alvis continued to produce new ones for the export market until 1976, supplying them to dozens of countries, with a few keeping them in service into the 21st century. Many second-hand ones were acquired by police forces.

The Saracen was derived from the design of the Saladin (despite design of the Saladin starting first, the Saracen actually made it into production earlier due to the UK government requesting it for use against communist terrorist forces in the Malayan Emergency). The drivetrain is basically just that of the Saladin but backwards, with the engine at the front. Like the Saladin, it has many sharp angles and distinctive triangular stowage boxes between its run-flat wheels. The initial FV603A (Mk. 1 Personnel Carrier) has unreliable pneumo-hydraulic accumulators in its steering and brake system, performs poorly at high altitudes, and is uncomfortable in hot weather. On the other hand, it copes well with extreme cold (although it rarely had an opportunity to do so). Like all members of the FV600 family, its transmission could become ‘wound-up’ when driving on road, resulting in sluggish steering, requiring a period of driving on soft or uneven terrain, or bashing the wheels into a kerb, to reset. The lower hull is watertight, making it capable of fording to a depth of 2′7″ without preparation, or up to 6′6″ with additional equipment.

Behind the engine is a single large compartment for crew and passengers. The driver sits at the front centre and has three small hatches facing forward, left, and right. Each of these hatches has a periscope for visibility while ‘buttoned up’. The driver also controls the cluster of three smoke dischargers on each side of the engine, behind the headlights. Behind the driver is a gunner, who operates the small turret and also serves as vehicle commander. To the left of the gunner is a passenger seat (usually taken by the section leader), and to the right is the radio operator’s station, with a medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38). A small emergency escape hatch on each side allows egress over the middle wheels, accessible from the radio operator and front passenger positions. In the rear are two benches running along the sides of the vehicle, each long enough to seat four passengers, facing inwards. Double doors at the rear are the main access for the vehicle. Three gun ports (GURPS High-Tech, p. 228) on each side, another on each of the rear doors, and a large sliding panel in the roof allow passengers to see and shoot out. The roof panel opening has a ring mount for a Bren gun (GURPS High-Tech, p. 133), supposedly for air-defence.

The turret (just big enough for the gunner's head, shoulders, and arms) is armed with an unstabilised L3A4 machine gun (the British designation for the Browning M1919A4, GURPS High-Tech p. 132) with 250 rounds of .30-06 ammunition. A periscopic sight and 200-yard searchlight are provided for the gunner. The entire back half of the turret roof and two panels of the turret rear are hinged, allowing the gunner to climb out for a better view. Turret rotation is manual, taking four Ready manoeuvres to change facing.

In the early 1960s, the weapons were exchanged for ones which used 7.62×51mm NATO standard ammunition. These were the L8A1 (an FN MAG variant, GURPS High-Tech, pp. 134-135) in the turret and the L4A4 Bren (GURPS High-Tech, p. 133) in the exposed mount.

The FV603B (Personnel Carrier Mk.2) has a much more reliable hydraulic system (HT 10f) and a redesigned turret hatch. The three-part opening is replaced with a simple L-shaped hatch which swings back to form a seat, allowing the gunner to sit with only his legs inside the vehicle, for a better view (and a bit of fresh air). FV603C (Personnel Carrier Mk.2) is the same as FV603B but fitted with a reverse flow cooling system which makes it significantly more comfortable in hot weather. A version of the FV603C was made without a roof or turret, for sale to Kuwait.

The Mk.5 APC Kremlin (“Fortress”) is an up-armored modification of an FV603B, for internal security duties. It lacks gun ports. The Mk. 6 is the same modification applied to an FV603C.

The Armoured Command Vehicle Mk.1 is an FV603A with the turret removed (Loc 6WX), the seating re-arranged with seats in the centre facing out (Occ 2+6), some folding tables, a large radio (GURPS High-Tech, pp. 37-38), and an externally mounted portable gasoline generator (GURPS High-Tech, p. 14). A canvas extension can be mounted at the rear while the vehicle is parked, providing more work space. The ACV Mk. 2 is the same conversion applied to an FV603B. The FV604 ACV is essentially the same as the ACV Mk. 2 with a slightly different layout, either keeping the turret with the weapon removed, or removing it and fitting the Bren gun ring in its place. It could have canvas extensions fitted to either side.

The FV610 Armoured Command Post is an unarmed artillery direction and command vehicle. It has a taller hull than the FV603. Two large radios are carried, with their operators seated on either side of the driver, while three passenger seats on the right of the vehicle face the folding tables on the left, which have two more seats under them (only usable when the tables are stowed). From 1969 it is fitted with the FACE (Field Artillery Computer Equipment), a Complexity 2 transistor computer system with good-quality software (gives +1 to Artillery skill, each program covers one model of gun) stored on punched mylar tapes, a primitive terminal, and a teletype printer (GURPS High-Tech, pp. 18-22), which takes up the left of the vehicle (Occ 3+3).

The FV611 Armoured Ambulance (Occ 2+6) is based on the FV610 hull. The right hand radio operator’s position remains and has a medium radio, while to the left of the driver is a rear-facing seat for a medical orderly. The left hand side has two positions for stretchers (one above the other) and the right has three seats for ‘walking wounded’ casualties or stretcher bearers. Similar ambulances have been converted from FV603s by simply removing the weapons and replacing seats with stretcher positions.

From the 1990s, a ‘repower’ package (HT 12, Range 300, +$50k) replaces the gasoline engine with a more reliable and efficient diesel one, as well as upgrading the electrical systems.

DRIVING/TL (HEAVY WHEELED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Loc.	Notes
7	Saracen Mk. 1	107	−1/4	9f	1/22	11.2	1.8	+4	3+9	40/35	240	$100k	t6WX	[1][3][4][5]
7	Saracen Mk. 3 Open Roof	104	−1/4	10f	1/22	10.6	1.8	+4	3+9	40/35	250	$90k	O5W	[1][5]
7	Saracen Mk. 5	113	−1/4	10f	1/20	12.4	1.2	+4	3+9	70/35	220	$110k	t6WX	[2][3][4][5]
7	FV610 ACP	111	−1/4	10f	1/20	12.3	1.9	+4	3+5	40/35	220	$120k	6W	[1][3][5]

[1] Higher DR is for body front. Lower DR is for body sides, underside, and rear.
[2] Higher DR is for body front and sides. Lower DR is for body underside, and rear.
[3] Body top has DR 22.
[4] Turret has DR 45 on front, 30 on sides, and 22 on rear and top.
[5] Run-flat tires (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).

Casspir APCs in GURPS

The Casspir Mk 1 (1980) was one of the first mine-protected vehicles and its basic design elements inspired many others. It has a narrow, welded steel, monocoque hull, raised high off the ground and sharply angled at the bottom to deflect explosive blasts. The engine is at the front, in a conventional truck layout. A spare wheel is carried on the middle lower hull on each side.

The main compartment has front-facing seats for the driver (on the right) and vehicle commander (left) at the front. Bullet-proof windows (DR 25, semi-ablative) give good visibility to the front and sides. A hatch above the commander’s seat has an unstabilised open mount, usually armed with a Browning M2HB (GURPS High-Tech, p. 133) or one or two FN MAG (GURPS High-Tech, pp. 134-135) machine guns. A medium radio is provided for the commander. Each side of the main compartment has six inward-facing seats and three bullet-proof windows for passengers. Six gun ports (GURPS High-Tech, p. 228), between the seats, allow passengers to shoot from inside the vehicle. Access is via pneumatic double doors at the rear, which also have gun ports and bullet-proof windows. The roof above the passenger seating is covered only with a removable canvas (DR 0). A 53-gallon water tank is provided for crew and passengers.

Common modifications include adding a gun shield (DR 18) to the commander’s open mount and fitting a thin (DR 5) steel roof to replace the canvas. Alternative weapons which could be fitted on the commander’s open mount include Hispano Mk V autocannon scavenged from outdated fighter planes, captured Soviet HMGs such as the ZiD KPV (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134), and Vektor SS-77 and Mini-SS machine guns.

The Mk 2 (1981) has many minor improvements. The spare wheels are moved to the upper rear of the hull sides, giving them better protection from mines and collisions. An additional open mount can be fitted to the commander’s side window. An applique armor system adds +10 DR to the body front and sides, increases weight by 0.7 tons, and reduces Move to 1/26.

The Mk 3 (1983) has a more powerful engine and stronger suspension, as well as upgrading the mine protection. A gun-carrier variant (Occ 4, Loc 4W2X) has an open deck at the rear, with an open unstabilised mount for a Watervliet M40 recoilless rifle (GURPS High-Tech, p. 141) with 12 ready rounds. Access to the cab is through a door to the deck.

The Casspir NG (New Generation) (2013) series is larger and better protected than its predecessors, but has the same overall design.

Unarmed ambulance variants of all marks are available, capable of holding two stretchers, four medical personnel, and a driver (Occ 1+6, Loc 4W).

Police variants typically have the open mount and gun ports removed, a roof over the passengers, and larger windows, which are covered by mesh to stop them being chipped by thrown objects. On some versions the front fenders are fitted with a mechanism to lower them in order to shove obstacles aside. A wire-cutter is often mounted on the roof.

The Blesbok (1982) is a logistics vehicle based on the Mk 2. It has an armored cab with side doors for the driver and commander, and an open cargo bed with fold-down sides. The Duiker fuel bowser is essentially the same vehicle with a 1,320-gallon tank.

The Gemsbok (1982) is a recovery vehicle with a 16.5 ton crane. The cab has one door on the right and two on the left.

Mortar-carrier variants of the Mk 3 and NG (Occ 6) have a widened section at the rear of the vehicle, where a circular mounting plate fits a Vektor 81mm mortar (a copy of the Hotchkiss MO-81-61-LL) which can turn in any direction and fires through the open roof. They carry 192 mortar rounds.

DRIVING/TL (HEAVY WHEELED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Loc.	Notes
8	Casspir Mk 1	109	−1/4	11	1/27	11.8	1.7	+5	2+12	25/60	500	$120k	4WX	[1]
8	Casspir Mk 2	110	−1/4	11	1/27	12	1.7	+5	2+12	25/60	500	$130k	4WX	[1]
8	Casspir Mk 3	116	−1/4	12	1/27	13.9	1.7	+5	2+12	25/90	500	$180k	4WX	[1]
8	Casspir NG	122	−1/4	11	1/33	15.8	1.7	+5	2+12	35/90	500	$350k	4WX	[1][2]
8	Blesbok	99	−1/4	11	1/27	13.2	5.7	+5	2	25/60	500	$130k	4WX	[1]
8	Gemsbok	130	−1/4	11	1/24	17.4	0.2	+5	2+3	25/60	430	$160k	4WX	[1]

[1] First DR figure is for body front, sides, rear, and top. Second is for body underside.
[2] Run-flat tires (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).

Fuchs APCs in GURPS

The transportpanzer Fuchs 1 (“armored transport Fox 1”) is a lightly-armored six-wheeled APC, in service with the German army since 1979. The driver (on the left) and vehicle commander (on the right) sit in a cab at the front of the vehicle, with a good view through a windshield over the short hood. A steel shutter can be lowered over the windshield for protection and three periscopes are provided for the driver to see at such times. An image-intensifying optic (gives Colorblindness, Night Vision 4, No Depth Perception, and No Peripheral Vision) is also provided for the driver. Access to the cab is through a large door on either side. Above the commander’s seat is a roof hatch with a flexible mount which usually holds an MG3 machine gun (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134) with 250 rounds. A DR 25 gun-shield can be fitted around this hatch. Inside the cab, the commander has a medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38). The rear compartment has rows of seats facing inwards along each side. Access is through large double doors at the back of the vehicle, or the three roof hatches. Six smoke dischargers (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) are mounted on the left side of the hull. Propulsion in water is provided by two screw propellers behind the rear wheels.

The Sanfuchs (Occ 2+6) is an ambulance version, with space for four stretchers.

The Spürfuchs (“Tracking Fox”) ABC (Occ 2+10S) is an NBC reconnaissance vehicle.

The Fuchs Milan (Loc g6W2X) has a mount for a Milan ATGM on the roof.

The Fuchs 2 is an upgraded version with a more powerful engine and stronger suspension, available from 2005.

DRIVING/TL (HEAVY WHEELED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Locations	Notes
7	Fuchs 1	126	−1/4	10	1/32	20.3	4.4	+4	2+10	25	500	$200k	g6WX	[1][2]
8	Fuchs 2	133	−1/4	11	1/29	26.5	7.8	+4	2+9S	25	440	$300k	g6W2X	[1][2][3]

[1] Amphibious: water move 1/3.
[2] Fire-Suppression System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[3] Central Tire Inflation System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).

BTR-70 and BTR-80 APCs in GURPS

First seen in 1972, the BTR-70 has the same overall design as the BTR-60PB, but many small changes. The turret is the same, but the hull is slightly larger. Passenger seating is rearranged, with two benches sat back-to-back along the mid-line of the vehicle, facing towards the three firing ports and passenger vision block on each side. Two additional folding seats are located in front and to the side of the turret. Disembarkation is made much easier thanks to two small doors located between the second and third wheel on each side. The commander and driver’s hatches are redesigned, and the two small roof hatches in the troop compartment each have a firing port so the troops can shoot upwards. Night-vision devices are provided for the driver (gives Night Vision 4) and commander (gives Telescopic Vision 2 and Night Vision 4).

The 5-ton winch (ST 50), water-jet propulsion system, window covers (increase the windows’ DR 20 to DR 40), infrared illuminators (70-yard headlamps and 0.25 mile searchlight, see GURPS High-Tech, p. 47), medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38), and central tire inflation system (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) are all similar to those of the BTR-60PB. The engine compartment has a fire-suppression system (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).

Armament is the same as the BTR-60PB: a ZiD KPVT HMG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134) with 500 rounds and a coaxial KMZ PKT MG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 135) with 2,000 rounds. The gunner has a 4× sight (+2 Acc). The manually rotated turret takes two Ready maneuvers to change facing. In addition, six smoke dischargers are mounted to the back of the turret.

The BTR-80 (1984) replaces the two gasoline engines with a single diesel one and adds a bit of armor. Its turret is more angular and capable of higher gun elevation, but has a similar loadout, except the sight is now a 5.5× magnification night sight (+2 Acc, Night Vision 4). The side doors are redesigned to give a step when open, and the roof hatches are rearranged to a more symmetrical layout.

The BTR-80A (1994) replaces the turret with a remotely operated powered one. This mounts a 2A72 autocannon with a 4× magnification night sight (+2 Acc, Night Vision 6) and 300 rounds in a stabilised mount, a PKT MG (with 2,000 rounds) in another stabilised mount, and six smoke dischargers. The gunner operates it from inside the hull. Turret rotation takes one Ready maneuver per facing change.

An unnamed BTR-70 variant used during the Soviet-Afghan War removes the smoke dischargers and fits an open mount for an AGS-17 Plamya AGL (GURPS High-Tech, p. 142) to the turret. This requires someone to stand on top of the vehicle to operate it!

The BTR-82 is a refitted BTR-80A, which entered service in 2011. The autocannon is replaced with a ZiD KPVT HMG (with 2,000 rounds). Other changes include improved night vision devices (all now give Night Vision 8), spall liners (add DR 10 to occupants and negate the special effect of HESH warheads), and satellite navigation system (+3 Navigation). The BTR-82A (2013) is similar, but retains the autocannon (BTR-80s upgraded to this standard are designated BTR-82AM). The BTR-82AT adds a thermal imager (gives Infravision) to the turret, the option to mount a Kornet ATGM, and slat armor (front, sides, and rear of the hull are treated as having spaced armor, see GURPS High-Tech, p. 229). The BTR-87 is a BTR-82A with the engine relocated to the right side of the hull and a rear door.

DRIVING/TL (TRACKED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Locations	Notes
7	BTR-70	112	−1/4	10f	2/24	12.7	1.5	+4	3+8S	40/24	370	$40.0k	t8W	[1][2][3][4]
8	BTR-80	119	−1/4	10	1/27	15	1.5	+4	3+8S	40/30	370	$50.0k	t8W	[1][2][3][4]
8	BTR-80A	122	−1/4	10	1/27	16.1	1.5	+4	3+7S	40/30	370	$70.0k	T8W	[1][2][3][4]

[1] Amphibious: water move 1/3.
[2] Central Tire Inflation System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[3] Fire-Suppression System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[4] Higher DR is for hull front and turret front, sides, and rear. Lower DR is for hull sides and rear. Underside and top have DR 20.

BTR-60 APCs in GURPS

The GAZ Bronetransportyor 60 Plavajushhijj (“swimming armoured transport of the year 1960”) is open-topped and lightly armored. A boat-shaped lower hull and water-jet system make it fully amphibious with only minimal preparation. A 5-ton winch (ST 50) with a 33-yard cable is fitted inside the prow and accessed through a small hatch.

Due to having its two engines in the rear, crew and passengers have to climb in and out over the vehicle’s sides, which is assisted by various steps and rails, as well as two half-doors on each side. The driver and commander sit at the front of the vehicle (on the left and right, respectively) with a small roof (DR 20) to protect them. They have ‘bulletproof glass’ (DR 18) windshields, with steel covers (DR 18) which can be closed for extra protection. This reduces vision to a small slit in each cover, one small window on each side, and a single periscope for the driver, which can be exchanged for an infrared vision device (gives Night Vision 4). Infrared illuminators (GURPS High-Tech, p. 47) with 70-yard range are mounted alongside the headlights for use with night vision. The commander has an infrared searchlight (0.25-mile range) and a medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38).

Passengers sit behind the crew, on two long benches running along the sides of the vehicle. A detachable canvas cover gives them some relief from weather. The troops have three firing ports on each side, as well as three mounting points for machine guns, one on each side of the troop compartment and one in the middle of the roof of the crew compartment. Generally the two side mounts were used for the infantry’s machine guns, while the front one was fitted with an SGMB (for which around 2,000 rounds were carried).

Early improvements included adding a night-vision device for the commander (gives Telescopic Vision 2 and Night Vision 2) and replacing the front machine gun mount with one for the DShKM HMG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 133).

In 1963 production was changed to the new BTR-60PA which has a roof and air-filters. The half-doors on the side are eliminated, and access is via top hatches. The commander and driver each get a small hatch above their seats, while a large rectangular hatch behind them allows troops to reach the three machine gun mounts which have been moved there. Another large hatch is located on the back left side of the roof.

In 1966 the BTR-60PB came with more powerful engines, upgraded armor, and a turret copied from the BRDM-2 (GURPS High-Tech, p. 240). Turret armament consists of a ZiD KPVT HMG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134) with 500 rounds and a coaxial KMZ PKT MG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 135) with 2,000 rounds. The gunner has a 4× sight (+2 Acc). The manually rotated turret takes two Ready maneuvers to change facing. Passenger seating is changed to two forward-facing benches and two folding seats. The windshield covers lose their vision slits, with both the driver and commander getting three periscopes each instead. Their hatches are the same as on the BTR-60PA, as is the one on the back left of the troop compartment. A small door is added on either side of the hull, and a small roof hatch is placed behind and to the right of the turret. Later production versions add a rear-facing periscope to the turret.

The TAB-71M is a Romanian copy of the BTR-60PB with more powerful engines.

The BTR-60PAI is an intermediate step between the BTR-60PA and BTR-60PB, with a turret but lacking improved armor and engines. Use the profile of the BTR-60PA but change locations to gt8W and add note [5].

The BTR-60P requires little conversion to turn it into a mortar carrier, usually holding two mortars.

The BTR-60PU is a command variant of the BTR-60P. It usually carries no weapons and has two extra radios with long-range antennae (GURPS High-Tech, p. 39). A version based on the BTR-60PA has similar equipment. The R-145BM is another command vehicle, based on the BTR-60PB with the weapons replaced by an antenna for a large radio. Several additional medium radios, an auxiliary generator, and a satellite navigation system capable of using either GLONASS or GPS (GURPS High-Tech, p. 53) are also carried. The BTR-60PB Forward Air Control vehicle is similar, but has an observation window instead of the antenna on the turret. Various other command, fire-control, signals, and observation vehicles have roughly the same set-up.

The MTR-2 and MTP-2 are repair and recovery vehicles based on the BTR-60P and BTR-60PA respectively. They have cranes which can be fitted to the front of the vehicles. The Irtish and BTR-60PPM are civilian versions of the BTR-60PB (used for firefighting and rescue) with no turrets, firing ports, or window covers, and several doors and windows added to the sides. They have safety rails around their roofs and carry cranes and ladders. Change locations to G8W.

The APC-70 is a Mexican variant based on a civilian version of the BTR-60PA, re-armed with a single open mount which can be fitted with a FN MAG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134), HK21 (GURPS High-Tech, p. 136), or Sako MK 19 (GURPS High-Tech, p. 143). It has side windows instead of firing ports.

DRIVING/TL (TRACKED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Locations	Notes
7	BTR-60P	101	−1/4	9f	1/24	10.8	2.4	+4	2+14	36/24	310	$30.0k	O8W3X	[1][2][3]
7	BTR-60PA	103	−1/4	9f	1/24	11.2	2.4	+4	2+14S	36/24	310	$32.0k	g8W3X	[1][2][3][4]
7	BTR-60PB	104	−1/4	10f	1/24	11.3	2.4	+4	3+12S	40/24	300	$36.0k	t8W	[1][2][3][4][5]
7	TAB-71M	106	−1/4	10f	2/29	12	2.4	+4	3+8S	40/24	300	$38.0k	t8W	[1][2][3][4][5]

[1] Amphibious: water move 1/3.
[2] Central Tire Inflation System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[3] Higher DR is for hull front. Lower DR is for hull sides and rear. Hull underside has DR 14.
[4] Hull top has DR 20.
[5] Turret has DR 40 on all facings except the top, which has DR 20.

M113 APCs in GURPS

Building on lessons learned from manufacturing the underwhelming M75 and M59 APCs, the FMC Corporation designed the M113 and started production less than four years after being awarded the initial development contract in 1956.

The resulting vehicle is essentially an aluminum box on tracks. The front hull slopes back and is mostly covered by the trim vane, which can be extended by hydraulics when the vehicle needs to enter deep water. Behind the trim vane is a hatch which allows access to the engine compartment, containing the water-cooled V-8 gasoline engine. To the left of the engine is the driver’s seat, from where he can use an overhead hatch or the four periscopes surrounding it in order to see where he is going. A near-infrared periscope (grants Night Vision 4 when used with the infrared lamps on the front of the hull – see GURPS High-Tech, p. 47) can also be fitted to the hatch. A small floor access hatch below the drivers position could be used to escape in an emergency. In the center of the hull is the vehicle commander’s hatch, which has an external open mount for a Browning M2HB machine gun (GURPS High-Tech, p. 133) and five periscopes. Below and behind the gunner is the troop compartment, which has one central seat facing backwards and folding benches suitable for seating five facing inwards on either side. The roof of the troop compartment has a large rectangular hatch, from which a few of the passengers can view their surroundings, or shoot. At the rear of the vehicle is a large ramp which opens onto the troop compartment. Set into this is a small door, allowing egress if the ramp mechanism fails.

A medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38) is mounted behind the driver, who also has an intercom (GURPS High-Tech: Electricity and Electronics, p. 27) to speak with the commander. A telephone connector at the rear of the vehicle allows wired communication. A manually operated vehicular fire extinguisher (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) is mounted next to the radio and could be activated from inside or outside the vehicle.

Despite doctrine stating that the M113 was not a fighting vehicle and should be used only to convey troops to suitable fighting positions, during the Vietnam war it was often used aggressively in the light armor role. Although this was generally an effective tactic against poorly armed opponents, it required the crew and passengers to expose themselves to enemy fire. In order to make this a little less hazardous, improvised gun shields were added around hatches. This was soon formalized as the Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) upgrade and official kits were issued in 1963 which added two side panels and a gun shield to protect the gunner from all sides except above, and gun shields which could be fitted to the new machine-gun mounts on either side of the passenger hatch, intended to work with the M60 (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134) carried by the infantry. All of these provide DR 18. The ACAV was usually manned by five – driver, commander, two M60 gunners, and a grenadier with an M79 grenade launcher (GURPS High-Tech, p. 142). The passenger seats were removed to provide room for more ammunition and supplies.

The first major modification to the design was to substitute a more powerful diesel engine for the gasoline one and enlarged fuel tanks. The steering system was also improved to allow tighter turns at low speed or in water. The new vehicle was designated the M113A1 and arrived in 1964. Optional extras included a fire-suppression system (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229), and an air-filtration unit which could connect to gas-masks.

In 1979 the M113A2 added numerous small improvements, including better engine cooling, stronger torsion bars, and moving the fuel tanks out of the passenger compartment. Two four-barreled smoke dischargers (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) were added to the front of the vehicle. Many existing vehicles were upgraded to this standard. The introduction of the Mk 19 MOD 3 automatic grenade launcher (GURPS High-Tech, p. 143) offered an alternative to the commander’s machine gun.

The next round of upgrades, in 1987, was the change to the M113A3 standard, which further improved the steering, replaced the engine with a more powerful one, added more fuel tanks, and protected those inside with spall liners (add DR 10 to occupants and negate the special effect of HESH warheads) and NBC filters.

Several applique armor kits have been made. Mine protection plates add DR 20 to the underside and increase weight by 0.5 tons. Side armor panels add DR 50 to the sides and 1.3 tons to weight, which reduces top speed by 1 and makes the vehicle unable to float (remove note [1]). A cage of slat armor makes the front, sides, and rear count as having spaced armor (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229), and adds 0.1 tons of weight.

DRIVING/TL (TRACKED)

TL	Vehicle	ST/HP	Hnd/SR	HT	Move	LWt.	Load	SM	Occ.	DR	Range	Cost	Locations	Notes
7	M113	108	−3/5	10f	1/18	11.8	1.6	+3	2+11	60/50	200	$150k	2CX	[1][2][3]
7	M113A1	110	−3/5	10	1/18	12.3	1.6	+3	2+11	60/50	300	$170k	2CX	[1][2][3]
7	M113A2	110	−3/5	11	1/18	12.4	1.6	+3	2+11	60/50	300	$190k	2CX	[1][2][3]
8	M113A3	113	−2/5	11	1/20	13.5	1.7	+3	2+11S	60/50	300	$210k	2CX	[1][2][3]

[1] Amphibious: water move 1/2.
[2] Fire extinguisher.
[3] Higher DR is for front, lower DR is for sides, rear, and top. Underside has DR 40.