The United States Army (US Army) has confirmed that the new version of the M88A3 armored recovery vehicle is undergoing reliability testing (RAM) at the Yuma Proving Ground, configuring this as a crucial step in the interests of guarantee the effectiveness and durability of the aforementioned vehicle.
The evaluations are coordinated by test officer Yoselyn Vargas of the US Army’s Automotive Combat Systems Division, who has stated: “It is very important to verify that the vehicle is capable of operating with its intended capabilities. Since the updates are new, the tests also ensure that the capacities are functional (…) The key objective was to increase the towing capacity of the old vehicle from 70 tons to 80 tons in the new version. “While modern vehicles have become heavier, this overall modification allows the new version of the vehicle to more effectively rescue disabled tanks from the battlefield.”
Regarding the M88A3 armored recovery vehicle, it is known that it is the new proposal from the company BAE Systems to solve the load limitations of the A2 model, which required two units to recover an M1 Abrams tank that was disabled. The M88A3 version, also called Hercules, is capable of performing this task with the use of a single unit, which greatly reduces logistical and operational costs. Regarding their autonomy, the two M88A3 vehicles that were tested in Yuma have traveled about 3,000 miles each, and have been able to carry without problems the 80 tons stipulated in their design.
For its part, the start of this testing process took place in the month of March and is expected to continue throughout 2024. Regarding the bases involved, the tests have not been limited to the test base of the US Army in Yuma, Arizona; but the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, which is located in the state of Maryland, has also been involved. In this last case, there are four M88A3 vehicles subjected to RAM tests among other relevant tests.
It should be remembered that the program that gives rise to the A3 version of the M88 vehicle has its starting point in 2019, when the US Army awarded BAE Systems a contract of 318 million dollars to carry out the update of the M88A2. present in the arsenal. In that sense, the M88A3 model presents improvements in its suspension system, in its tracks, and in the addition of a seventh wheel that improves its maneuverability and speed.
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