AMERICA’S ARMY WINNING IN A COMPLEX WORLD

ACAT I
M88A2 Improved Recovery Vehicle HERCULES (Heavy
Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System)
PEO Ground Combat Systems | Detroit Arsenal, MI
WARFIGHTING
FUNCTION
Mission Command
Movement and Maneuver
Intelligence
Fires
Sustainment
Maneuver Support
and Protection
Engagement
ACQUISITION
LIFECYCLE PHASE
Materiel Solution Analysis
Technology Maturation &
Risk Reduction
Engineering & Manufacturing
Development
Production & Deployment
Operations & Support
MILESTONE DECISION
AUTHORITY
Defense Acquisition Executive
Army Acquisition Executive
Program Executive Officer
DESCRIPTION
The M88A2 Improved Recovery Vehicle HERCULES (Heavy
Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System)
recovers tanks mired to different depths, removes and replaces tank
turrets and power packs, and uprights overturned heavy combat
vehicles. The main winch on the M88A2 is capable of a 70-ton, singleline
recovery, allowing the HERCULES to provide recovery of the 70-
ton M1A2 Abrams tank.
The A-frame boom and hoist winch of the M88A2 can lift 35 tons. The
spade can be used to anchor the vehicle when using the main winch
and can be used for light earth moving to prepare a recovery area. The
M88A2 employs an auxiliary power unit to provide auxiliary electrical
and hydraulic power when the main engine is not in operation. It can
also be used to slave start other vehicles, as well as a means to refuel
or defuel vehicles. The M88A2 can refuel Abrams tanks from its own
fuel tanks.
The M88A2 HERCULES is the successor vehicle to the M88A1, which
had only a recovery capability of 56 tons. The M88A1’s mission was
focused on the M60 Series tank while the M88A2 is focused on the
Abrams tank.
BENEFIT TO THE WARFIGHTER
The HERCULES provides towing, winching and hoisting to support
battlefield recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and
other tracked combat vehicles. As such, HERCULES is the recovery
workhorse of the Armored Brigade Combat Team.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Crew: Three, plus space for four passengers
• Weight: 70 tons
• Length: 338 inches
• Width: 144 inches
• Height: 127 inches
• Speed (no load): 30 mph
• Speed (w/load): 26 mph with 70-ton load
• Cruising Range: 300 miles, 413 gallons
• Boom Lift Height: 25 feet
• Engine: 1,050 horsepower
• Armament: .50 Caliber M2
PROGRAM STATUS
• FY13-FY15: M88A2 production (converted from M88A1)
continued at approximate rate of three vehicles per month at the
BAE facility in York, PA; foreign military sales customers received
completely new M88A2 vehicles
• FY15:
››
M88A2 HERCULES Fielding and New Equipment Training
completed for Army units in Germany and Kuwait
››
Towing and evacuation tests completed at Aberdeen Proving
Ground, MD; powertrain feasibility analysis completed by U.S.
Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering
Center, Warren, MI
• Through 4QFY15: 680 M88A2 vehicles produced against Army
Acquisition Objective of 933 vehicles
• Current: Changes to M88A2 HERCULES to ensure single-vehicle
recovery capability of modernized M1A2 Abrams and all other
armored track vehicles
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
• FY16: M88A2 Army Fielding and New Equipment Training will
include Army units in Korea, Fort Hood, TX, Fort Bliss, TX,
and Fort Riley, KS; Track and Suspension testing to be initiated
and planning will begin for next version of the M88A2 Heavy
Equipment Recovery vehicle; proposed upgrade will focus on single
vehicle recovery of the modernized M1A2 Abrams tank
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UNITED STATES ARMY