M116 Husky
{{Infobox weapon
| name = M116 Husky
| image = File:Company B, 11th Motor Transport Battalion Marines test an M116 Husky amphibious vehicle.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Company B, 11th Motor Transport Battalion M116
| origin = United States
| type =
| is_vehicle = yes
| service = 1960-70s
| used_by = United States
| wars = Vietnam War
| designer = Pacific Car and Foundry
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Blaw-Knox
Pacific Car and Foundry (M733)
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number = 197
93 (M733)
| variants = M733
| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|10,600|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|15|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
| part_length =
| width = {{convert|6.8|ft|m}}
| height = {{convert|6|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter =
| crew = 1
| armour = none
| primary_armament = none
| secondary_armament =
| engine = Chevrolet V8
| engine_power =
| pw_ratio =
| transmission = Hydra-Matic
| payload_capacity = {{convert|3,000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| passengers = 13
| suspension =
| clearance = {{convert|15.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range = {{convert|300|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| speed = {{convert|37|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} land
{{convert|3.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} water
| guidance =
| steering =
}}
The M116 Husky was a tracked amphibious cargo carrier/marginal terrain vehicle that served with the United States Marine Corps.
Design
The M116 was a lightweight low-silhouette vehicle designed to transport cargo or personnel over unimproved roads, loose sand, soft marshy terrain and inland waterways. Its low ground pressure of {{convert|1.67| to| 2.74|psi|abbr=on}} when fully loaded gave good mobility on marginal terrain.
The M116 was designed by Pacific Car and Foundry as a replacement for the M76 Otter. Pacific Car and Foundry built four prototypes and then three pre-production models, however the production contract was awarded to Blaw-Knox which produced 197.{{cite book|last=Doyle|first=David|title=Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition|publisher=Penhuin|year=2003|isbn=978-0873495080}}{{rp|}}
Variants
File:A372904.tif fire an 81mm mortar from an M733 near Marble Mountains, 1970]]
The M733 was an armored variant of the M116 with steel armour plates added to provide ballistic protection capable of stopping .30-caliber ball ammunition. The purpose of the vehicle was to provide small arms protection for infantry security elements accompanying marginal terrain vehicles. The primary armament was one M60 machine gun, but two other pintle mounts were provided for additional M60s. The M733 could also mount the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun or an 81mm mortar.{{rp|F-1–2}} The M733 was produced by Pacific Car and Foundry which built 93 with the first deliveries occurring in 1966.{{rp|}}
History
Both the M116 and M733 served with the Marines in the Vietnam War.{{cite book|last=Gilbert|first=Ed|title=The US Marine Corps in the Vietnam War: III Marine Amphibious Force 1965–75|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2006|isbn=978-1841769875|page=38}} The M116E1 was placed into service in April 1969 by the 11th Motor Transport Battalion to support the 1st Marine Division in the low and often inundated areas south of Danang. Virtually unaffected by weather, the M116 had the effect of reducing reliance on helicopter support. The M733 was placed into service in August as a convoy escort.{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Charles|title=U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969|publisher=History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/U_S_%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%20High%20Mobility%20and%20Standown%201969%20%20PCN%2019000310300.pdf|year=1988|isbn=978-1494287627|page=272}}{{PD-notice}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Post-WWII US Soft Vehicles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:M116 Husky}}
Category:Military vehicles of the United States
Category:Tracked amphibious vehicles
Category:Armored personnel carriers of the United States