M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) Light Tank

Designed for C-130 Hercules low-velocity air drop (LVAD) and airland roll-on/roll-off, the M8 Buford Armored Gun System (AGS) can be flown with Airborne rapid deployment forces by C-130 and larger STOL and VTOL aircraft to troubled "hot spots" around the globe. The automatically loaded, lightweight 105mm cannon fires all NATO standard and enhanced ammunition at the rate of 12 rounds-per-minute. The quickness, balance and speed of the AGS provide superior mobility against battlefield opponents.

http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product926.html

The AGS has increasing levels of modular passive protection that can be tailored to meet the tactical situation. Its built-in diagnostics locate and isolate trouble fast. Work on the vehicle's powerpack is an operator's dream. Layout of fire and operator's controls were designed for the crew. The commander has unsurpassed vision for first-look, first-kill capability. Backed by a world-class team, the AGS provides the potential capability to fulfill multiple missions and roles.

Following an international competition, in mid-1992 the U.S. Army selected the FMC Corporation, Ground Systems Division (later United Defense LP and now BAE), to build its Armored Gun System (AGS) to replace the M551 Sheridan light tanks used by the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor of the 82nd Airborne Division and replace the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment's vulnerable Humvee trucks.

http://www.combatreform.com/lighttanks.htm

The M551 has now been retired from the U.S. Army without replacement--which is a travesty of bureaucracy.

http://www.geocities.com/armorhistory

To reduce total life cycle costs, proven and in production subsystems have been used wherever possible, for example M8 Buford tracks and roadwheels are from M113 Gavin light tanks; the engine is a derivative of that fitted to the M977 (8x8) HEMMTT truck, the transmission is from the medium Bradley tank; the commander's and gunner's hand controls are from the Bradley; the laser range-finder and crosswind sensor are from the M1A1 Abrams and the computer control panel is from the Challenger 2 heavy tanks.

The XM8 was Type Classified as the M8 Buford Armored Gun System in October 1995 by the U.S. Army and declared production ready. BAE continues to market the 105mm gun M8 Buford and 120mm gun-equipped Thunderbolt AGS light tanks overseas, especially Asia, the Middle East and Europe and one of the six prototypes of the vehicle was shown in Europe in June 1996.

Late in 1997, FNSS Defense Systems of Turkey and United Defense LP, teamed to offer the M8 AGS to the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).

In September 1997, the second of the six prototype M8 AGS built with the highest protection Level III was demonstrated in Turkey during which it undertook firepower and mobility demonstrations for the TLFC.
According to United Defense LP, the M8 AGS is well suited to sub-national conflict (SNC) peacemaking-keeping operations, such as Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan where the TLFC has been deployed;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP1JXyFR7Oc

as well as being used in traditional nation state war (NSW) Cavalry roles of reconnaissance and Airborne, Special and Light infantry fire support.

http://www.combatreform.com/whereisthecavalry.htm

As well as being less expensive to procure than an heavy tank, the M8 Buford AGS has a much lower life cycle cost. According to BAE, the fuel cost of the M8 AGS is U.S.$0.60 per km compared to U.S. $5.35 per km of a heavy tank with spare parts per km being U.S. $35 and U.S. $137 respectively.
Costs would be even less with hybrid electric drive and band tracks:

http://www.combatreform.com/hybridelectricdrive.htm
http://www.combatreform.com/bandtracks.htm

The M8 Buford is armed with a 105mm M35 rifled gun, fed by an automatic loader, which fires the same natures of ammunition as all of the medium-to-heavy tanks (Leopard 1, M48 and M60 series) currently in service with the TLFC.

If selected by Turkey, the M8 would be manufactured under licence by FNSS Defense Systems which is a joint venture company established to build 1,698 M113 Gavin Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles (AIFVs).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcTWacVuqf8

The existing Turkish AIFV machinery, tooling and fixtures could be reconfigured for the M8 AGS with a minimum of investment according to BAE.

Want to know more?

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• M113
• Gavin
• M8
• Buford
• Thunderbolt
• AGS
• armored
• gun
• system
• light
• tank
• 82nd
• airborne
• paratroopers

[Kingonads]

I always found this light tank or AGS a great concept. And far more capable than the Stryker... I too am baffled by the choice of the military to take the Stryker over this.

[dynmicpara]

@Kingonads Research light infantry narcissism and mech pussyism that wants to be either too light or too heavy--and you will have your answer.

[paratrooper629]

Shame on the 4 star leadership of the US Army! On time-on budget ! Cancelled. No Lt armor for 82d airborne. 2003- were going to use those built for Iraq- cancelled by CSA. Loser!!!! Sold out to Strikyer crowd ( just look up who had 4 stars-then reitired and went to GCLS afterwards!!! Fact! IF I were CSA or SA- 1 BN to 82d, 1 BN per Light Infantry Div, 1 cO per light Infantry Brigade- active and ARNG. Army leadership should show some concern for troops and show some goddam balls!!!!

[1Paintballer]

I dont understand a damn thing but this thing looks kick ass kinda reminds me of an M1 but smaller better for urban combat

[wordbeyotch]

In 1995 I volunteered for this program, then they cancelled it and I went to M1a1's at Hood.

[fmoa]

instead of mass produce it like the abrams..the yanks should just produce it just for the u.s rangers n recon marines.

[fushheads]

Thumbs up if the first time you saw this vehicle was in the A-Team movie.

[Speedless73]

@Capt777harris

no, it's not...

may be turkish...

[Capt777harris]

@rolficus It's German.

[rolficus]

why is the audio backwards

[Craigers22763]

The Army has been against the light tank since the 80's. Remember the RDF light tank? Another good idea that got snuffed by the Army brass.

[murattk22]

@Skyguyfrom501legion It is a light tank that only shares the name and body of the original. This new Turkish produced variant has superior armor however Turkey has decided to build Altay MBT tanks therefore this tank will most likely not see service in the Turkish military and the manufacturer is looking for a buyer. So it only shares with the U.S original but it has been upgraded in every way (powerplant, armor, weapon etc).

[texasdustfart]

@dynmicpara please re-read my comment, I was being sarcastic about the stryker thus the "yada yada yada" our light forces need this, but as you pointed out and I agree politics got in the way of tactics.

[CosmosPrivateer]

@CosmosPrivateer

I agree but the need for infantry and fire support seems to get lost these day's.

JMO