Military

M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier

The first major upgrade came in 1964 with the introduction of the M113A1 package which replaced the original gasoline engine with a 212 horsepower diesel package. One of the most welcome improvements made during this period in U.S. units was the conversion of the M113 to the diesel-powered M113A1. A main drawback of the M113, the danger of fire, was now reduced. Other free world units were scheduled for conversion later.

The new power train was soon incorporated into the existing vehicle family as the M113A1, M577A1, and M106A1, as well as several new derivative systems. Some of these new derivatives were based on the armored M113 chassis (the M125A1 mortar carrier and M741 "Vulcan" air defense vehicle) while others were based on an unarmored version of the chassis (including the M548 cargo carrier, M667 "Lance" missile carrier, and M730 "Chaparral" missile carrier).