DESCRIPTION
The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a highly mobile and heavily armored minefield and complex obstacle breaching system. It consists of an M1A1 Abrams tank hull; a unique turret with two Linear Demolition Charge Systems (employing two Mine Clearing Line Charges (MICLIC) and rockets); a Lane Marking System (LMS); Integrated Vision System; and a High Lift Adapter that interchangeably mounts a Full Width Mine Plow (FWMP) or a Combat Dozer Blade.
ABV, which requires a crew of two Soldiers, improves the mobility and survivability of combat engineers while having the speed and ability to keep pace with the maneuver force. It creates a tank-width cleared lane through a minefield by launching and detonating one of its MICLIC systems across the minefield, then proofing the lane with its FWMP while marking the cleared lane with its LMS.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
The ABV provides crew protection and vehicle survivability while having the speed and mobility to keep pace with the maneuver force. Commonality of support (M1A1) is also a significant benefit to the Soldier.
SPECIFICATIONS
- ABV’s M1A1 chassis is very similar to the Abrams in terms of size, weight, speed and range
PROGRAM STATUS
2QFY16-3QFY18: ABV Fieldings
2QFY18: Restarted the ABV Production for additional ABVs for Army National Guard (ARNG)
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
1QFY19: Restart Production
FY19-FY23: Seven Fieldings, ARNG, U.S. Army Forces Command and Army Prepositioned Stocks
