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The M88 Recovery Vehicle is one of the largest all weather armored recovery vehicles (ARV) currently in use by United States Armed Forces. There are currently three variants, the M88, M88A1 and M88A2 Hercules. The M88 series has seen action most noticeably in the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan, and to a lesser extent during the Kosovo War, where they were deployed to help recover heavy armored vehicles of the Allied ground units.
The design of this vehicle was based on the chassis and parts of the automotive component of the M48 Patton and M60 Patton tanks. The original M88 was introduced in 1961.
The M88's primary role is to repair or replace damaged parts in fighting vehicles while under fire, as well as extricate vehicles that have become bogged down or entangled. The main winch on the M88A2 is capable of a 70 ton, single line recovery, and a 140 ton 2:1 recovery when used with the 140 ton pulley. The A-frame boom of the A2 can lift 35 tons when used in conjunction with the spade down. The spade can be used for light earth moving, and can be used to anchor the vehicle when using the main winch. [Wikipedia]
| Weight | 56 tons |
| Length | 27' 2" |
| Width | 11' 3" |
| Height | 10' 3" |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | Steel, to withstand 23mm |
| Primary Gun | .50" M2HB Machine Gun |
| Engine | 29.3l V12 gasoline, 825 Hp |
| Speed | 27 mph |
| Range | 235 miles |