In clarifying the conceptual and terminological issues of the unit cost growth of military equipment, six recent empirical studies on unit cost growth are reviewed and evaluated in this article. Even ...though the reported unit cost growth rates differ between equipment type and the individual studies, all of the studies find the unit cost growth rates of each military equipment type exceeding inflation. Various explanations proposed by different authors are reviewed. Unit cost growth studies omit corrections for quality changes of equipment, unlike the standard practice in inflation calculation. By bringing the military capability perspective into the discussion of unit cost growth, this article proposes a new approach to equipment unit cost growth, thereby enabling the collective evaluation of quality change with price change. This approach is demonstrated through a case study involving an armoured personnel carrier (APC). Although the price of the APC had increased sixfold with only a minor improvement in transportation capability, the proposed approach shows that the purchasing decisions of its successive generations may have still been cost-effective. The APC case demonstrated that the proposed approach can be successfully applied and yield meaningful results.
Dynamic processes of the armored personnel carrier M113 are investigated in this paper. The model of the system is reduced to seven degrees of freedom (DOF). Six schemes of different integrations ...were investigated; it was determined that integration schemes with variable time steps allow to reduce calculation time within the applicable range of the calculation error. The weapon’s impact on the dynamic processes of the vehicle is investigated on the uneven terrain. The influence of the standard weaponry on the oscillation peculiarities of the M113 when the vehicle is standing still, moves on the uneven terrain is analyzed. Also, possibilities to use 30 mm cannon on the carrier M113 are examined.
A study of an Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (AAPC) was conducted to enhance its amphibious capability by considering floatability, stability and resistance/propulsion characteristics and its ...performance during a river crossing operation. Existing data for an Armoured Personnel Carrier including the geometry, weight distribution and speed range were utilized in this study. Initial resistance and flow visualization tests showed that water enters into the driver compartment and that there is a need for a head plate in order to prevent water build-up at the front of the driver's periscope.
The river crossing capability of AAPC was examined by utilizing heading angles to simulate the effect of the current of a river. Resistance as well as side force acting on the vehicle were measured and presented through the speed range. The underwater flow visualization tests were carried out in order to investigate the flow around bow and aft of the vehicle, including the propulsion system inlet regions. The selection procedure of the propulsion system is briefly summarized and powering estimates were conducted.
► Most important feature of AAPC concept is the low freeboard, which causes several problems including poor longitudinal and transverse stability as well as low visibility over the driver's periscope. ► It was observed during resistance test that there is need for head plate since the vehicle does not have ship-like bow form. ► When the speed increases in water the height of the head plate should also be increased accordingly. ► Correct propeller design is vital to obtain ceiling propulsive efficiency and minimum power necessity using flow image tests.
Textron's TXT Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) unit said yesterday it received a $31.6 million contract award from the Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) to provide 28 COMMANDO(TM) ...Advanced Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), with 40mm/.50 cal remote turrets, to the Colombian Army (COLAR). Initial APC deliveries to the U.S. Army, for shipping to Colombia, are expected to begin in November, with all vehicles scheduled to be completed and transferred by April 2014. <nitf-col value=""/> </nitf-table-metadata>
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