combatreform.org/ARMORHISTORY

1. Better Mounted Fighting: Weapons Hatches
Primary: M113 Gavin with ACAV gunshields is still the best way to fight
mounted and have 360 degree security at all angles

2. Improved Troop Cargo
Hatch positioning needed...
FYI: When fighting mounted behind
gunshields, top cargo hatch
should be able to be locked into
vertical to act as a rear shield

3. Caveat: top hatch should be
upright unless 3rd rear gun & shield
is employed as shown here
Left gun/shield omitted for clarity

4. Even turrets have elevation limits. M113 Gavin with infantry in
back behind gunshields can super-elevate their rifles and machine guns
to reach enemies in upper story buildings
M2 Bradley
M1 Abrams
M113 Gavin
0m = no restriction for weapons fire reach

5. Weapons Hatches
An alternate way to fight mounted is needed!
However, M113 Gavin with ACAV gunshields:cannot fight if troops
button up and close all top hatches to evade air burst munitions etc.

6. Driver’s Weapon Hatch
Bulge on driver’s hatch contains a M231 5.56mm Firing Port Weapon
(FPW) which he can lift arm to fire like a WW1 Se5 biplane fighter
which had its machine gun on the top wing
M231

7. Close-up of actual WW1 Se5 biplane fighter with wing-mounted machine gun.
If British aces could fly an airplane and shoot down German planes this way,
certainly American M113 Gavin drivers can fire a gun from the top hatch
above their head

8. Troop Weapons Cargo Hatch
Bulge on cargo hatch with ports allows two M231 5.56mm FPWs or any
other rifle to include enemy AKMs to be fired
Left /Right shields locked
forward

9. Bradley
Top Cargo
Hatch
The Bradley’s hatch
already has vision ports
(A) and an ability to lock
A into the 90 degree
C upright position (B)--it
may work on M113
B Gavins--so all we need
to do is add two firing
ports (C)

10. Rear Ramp Weapons Door
Rear ramp door should be replaced with a vision block and firing port
door for rear security observation & fires