LVT-5
Encyclopedia
The LVTP-5 was a family of amphibious
armored fighting vehicles used by the United States Marine Corps
. It was designed by the BorgWarner
company and built by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) along with a few other companies. It was first accepted into service in 1956. Some 1,124 basic units were produced, plus the specialist variants, and many saw action in the Vietnam War
.
It was an evolution of the LVT-1 to LVT-4 World War II era Landing Vehicle Tracked
series, but was considerably larger and could carry 30-34 combat-armed troops.
A smaller design based on the M59 APC
was also produced as the LVT-6, but only a handful built.
The LVTP-5 was replaced in service by the LVT-7
family.
The most common type was the LVTP-5, an armored personnel carrier, with mine-sweeper, command, recovery and fire support variants, the latter mounting a 105 mm howitzer. An anti-aircraft version was prototyped, but never saw service.
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
armored fighting vehicles used by the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. It was designed by the BorgWarner
BorgWarner
BorgWarner Inc. is a United States-based worldwide automotive industry components and parts supplier. It is primarily known for its powertrain products, which include manual and automatic transmissions and transmission components, , turbochargers, engine valve timing system...
company and built by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) along with a few other companies. It was first accepted into service in 1956. Some 1,124 basic units were produced, plus the specialist variants, and many saw action in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
It was an evolution of the LVT-1 to LVT-4 World War II era Landing Vehicle Tracked
Landing Vehicle Tracked
The Landing Vehicle Tracked was a class of amphibious vehicles introduced by the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army during World War II. Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they rapidly evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles as well...
series, but was considerably larger and could carry 30-34 combat-armed troops.
A smaller design based on the M59 APC
M59 (APC)
The M59 was a U.S. armored personnel carrier that entered service in spring of 1954 replacing the M75. It had three key advantages over the M75: it was amphibious, had a lower profile, and was considerably cheaper to produce. Approximately 6,300 were built before production ended in 1960. The M84...
was also produced as the LVT-6, but only a handful built.
The LVTP-5 was replaced in service by the LVT-7
Amphibious Assault Vehicle
The Assault Amphibious Vehicle —official designation AAV-7A1 is a fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle manufactured by U.S. Combat Systems .The AAV-7A1 is the current amphibious troop transport of the United States Marine Corps...
family.
The most common type was the LVTP-5, an armored personnel carrier, with mine-sweeper, command, recovery and fire support variants, the latter mounting a 105 mm howitzer. An anti-aircraft version was prototyped, but never saw service.
Variants
- LVTP-5 (Landing Vehicle Tracked, Personnel) - armored personnel carrier.
- LVTC-5 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Command) - command vehicle.
- LVTH-6 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Howitzer) - fire support variant armed with 105 mm howitzer. 210 units built.
- LVTR-1 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery) - recovery vehicle. 65 units built.
- LVTE-1 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Engineer) - mine-sweeper. 41 units built.
- LVTAA-X1 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Anti Aircraft) - anti-aircraft variant, to be fitted with the turret of the M42 DusterM42 DusterThe M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun, or "Duster," is an armored light air-defense gun built for the U.S. Army from 1952 until December 1959. Production of this vehicle was performed by the tank division of the General Motors Corporation. It used components from the M41 light tank...
. Only prototype built.