M113 ‘Gavins’ swimming across a lake, then deploying
This video features two M113 ‘Gavins’ of the Brazilian army first crossing a deep trench and then proceeding to swim across a small lake to land on the other side and deploy their infanterists there in a maneuver attack on an industrial area. Note to US soldiers: Don’t try this with a Stryker, ever ! Contrary to the 1950′s-design Gavin, the ‘modern’ wheeled Stryker cannot swim, but only sink to the ground ! Why did the US Army acquire that piece of junk, while sitting on 15000+ fully amphibious M113 Gavins ready to be deployed ? They could be modernized with all the digital gadgets, add-on armor, all kinds of weapons for a faction of the cost ($120k +/- apiece) of a new Stryker truck ($4 million), and would provide superior armor protection for the soldiers, unrivalled cross-country mobility for limitless 2D maneuver plus 3D capabilities thru air-transport, air-drop by parachute and sling-load transport by helicopter ( the vanilla Gavin weighs only 10 tons, the Stryker between 19 and 26 tons ). Not to mention the increased survivability of the steel tracks, which cannot be incinerated or shot, as opposed to the rubber tires of the Stryker. When will the US Army do her homework ?
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March 5th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
You’re misinformed: The army made the decision, noone else. Congress was duped into funding the Stryker by the army’s presentation of false facts, i.e. blatant lies, like e.g. that the Stryker would be cheaper, more mobile, more versatile, and easy to deploy, to name but a few of their lies. When I say “the army” then I mean their decisionmakers, of course – the brasshats who will “retire” into a comfortable, well-paid job in the defense industry within a few years.
March 5th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
In reply to the info:
The Army will make better equipment decisions when congress quits making the choices for them. Someone’s Congressional district got that extra $4 million a piece appropriation.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Now THAT is a sexy operation to watch!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
For vehicles without waterjets, that’s some FAST swimming.
The M2 Bradley (which requires a screen, baloot, or pontoons to float, and is thus not amphibious) swims through a river, it’s narrow tracks can only move it at a pathetic 1mph.
These M113 Gavins look as though they’re pushing at least 5mph.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
That is a great video.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Cute babies
I guess Gavin ability to swim is extremely valuable in Brazil. Thanks for sharing.