Sometimes improvements were made in the United States and sent to Vietnam for testing, but often the projects originated in Vietnam. The Vietnam War became a testing ground for war equipment. There was stowage on the rear door for three M72A1 "LAW" anti-tank rockets. The observer in the rear had an M60 7.62mm machine gun mounted on a pedestal. The M114A2 (aka M114A1E1) had a hydraulically powered cupola and mounted the M139 20mm cannon with greatly improved firepower. The updated M114A1 allowed the firing of the machine gun from the inside, utilizing manual traverse and elevating mechanisms. 50 caliber machine gun, which rotated along with the hatch to allow aim in any direction.
The original M114 required the commander's cupola hatch be opened to fire the. In October 1961 the Army awarded General Motors Corporation two contracts totaling $14.9 million for the production of 1,215 T114s. It could swim, propelled by its tracks, and was light enough to be transported by cargo aircraft and dropped by parachute. It had a three-man crew, and a top speed of 36 mph (58 km/h). It was powered by a Chevrolet V-8 engine with a 283 cubic inch (4.6 liters) displacement. It was constructed of aluminum and weighed 13,100 lb (5.94 metric tons) empty, with a combat weight of 15,093 lb (6.846 metric tons). The M114 was 4 inches lower than the M113, and its upper forward glacis plate had a shallower angle than on the M113, resulting in a somewhat sleeker profile. The M114 was a lightweight, low-silhouette vehicle, designed to complement the M113 in command and reconnaissance roles. However, unlike the M113 which became one of the most successful armoured vehicles, it quickly proved unsuited to use in the Vietnam War, and was replaced in the reconnaissance role by the M551 Sheridan light tank.īy 1979, it had been branded a failure and retired from the US Army, but some were released as surplus and continue to be used by police departments. Like the larger M113, it was amphibious and could be deployed by parachute. The M114 was designed to be fast and stealthy for use in the reconnaissance role. It was manufactured by the Cadillac Division of General Motors in the early 1960s. The M114 Command and Reconnaissance Carrier is a Vietnam War-era tracked armored fighting vehicle, used by the United States Army.
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