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USCMC M577 APC
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Chassis & Hull Construction: Crew Complement: Weapons Systems: Written by Adam Fuller (adamf@engin.umich.edu)
The composition of the M577 centers around both minimal weight
and maximum rigidity in order to meet the USCMC necessity for a
combat ballast under 15,000 kg. The drivetrain is of 4x4
configuration, receiving power from a 286 kW multiple fuel gas
turbine. Unfortunately, the M577 uses wheels instead of tracks to
apply its power to the ground, robbing it of off-road performance
while increasing field reliability and saving substantial weight.
Solid rubber, low profile tires are wrapped around these massive
hubs, proof against small caliber rounds and shrapnel. The M577’s chassis is composed of bonded titanium around
a 5 cm thick floor cavity that guards against anti-personnel
mines. The hull is welded from light titanium alloys and latched
or bonded to the chassis. Interior hull surfaces are lined with
boron carbide tiles covered with polymer resin 2mm thick,
providing limited ablative protection from lasers penetrating the
outer hull. Weight restrictions allow for very limited armor
protection, capable of stopping shrapnel, small arms fire, and
low-velocity armor piercing rounds.
Two crew, the driver and section commander, are responsible for
vehicle operation. Provisions are provided for twelve passengers,
with restraint yokes for orbital combat drops. The spacious
interior is capable of storing materiel sufficient for three days
of combat, although this amount of gear causes the vehicle to
become quite cramped. Rear of the cockpit is the Tactical
Operations Center, wherein the section commander maintains
contact with the squad with audio and video feeds, monitoring
combat in real-time on several video displays.
Sensors, Stealth, & Defensive Systems:
The driver’s main field of view is provided
via a forward window of armored quartz crystal, with supplemental
periscope ports for observation of the sides of the vehicle.
Multi-function displays at the driver’s and commander’s
locations provide a sensor enhanced view of the combat area
surrounding the APC. Sensors consist of: a thermal imager, TV
camera with magnification from 4 to 20x, UV detector, and motion
tracker. Millimeter-wave targeting radars are slaved to the
forward gun emplacement and main turret.
The slab-sides of the
hull give the vehicle a large radar cross section. Radar
absorbent material has been applied to the outer skin, with
limited success. All defenses can be controlled by computer logic
system, the commander, or driver.
For such a light purpose vehicle, the M577 mounts substantial
firepower. A small turret traversing the APCs forward arc mounts
twin Republic Electric RE700 20mm Gatling cannon, supplied with
1700 round multi-feed ammo bin. Available round profiles are:
High Explosive, High Explosive Armor Piercing, and Swarm type
Anti-Personnel flechette rounds. These weapons use an upscaled
version of the pulse technology found in the pulse rifles and
smart guns. The main weapon of the M577 is mounted in a fully
traversable, self-contained turret assembly on a rail that
continues down the rear of the vehicle. Motors allow it to moved
and stowed on the vehicle’s rear, allowing it to fit within
a dropship or shuttle bay. Fire control can be automatic or under
the discretion of the vehicle commander. The M577A carries twin 20mW Boyars PARS 150 phased plasma cannon. Each gun
carries 1000 rounds of ammo.
The final, and most recent
production version, dubbed the M577A3 carries twin 20 MeV
turboalternator powered, charged particle beam cannons.
A breakthrough in turbine tech allows deployment of a unit capable
of generating 20 mW with a fuel supply sufficient for 50 seconds
of continuous fire.
Even though the M577 has many trade-offs and limitations
inherent in its design, it has remained the primary workhorse APC
for the USCMC. This role is a result of the M577’s dropship
portability, mobility, toughness, and heavy firepower. These
features allow it to function as an effective part of the
Marines’ rapid assault force structure.
