Military

M992 FAASV Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle

The M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV) is basically the chassis of a standard M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer with the turret replaced by a fully enclosed superstructure. Inside this superstructure, which has the same protection as the rest of the vehicle, can be stacked 93 155 mm projectiles, 99 propellant charges and 104 fuzes.

The ammunition can be loaded into the superstructure by a front-mounted crane and is fed from the vehicle along a conveyor to the recipient self-propelled howitzer; this crane was not fitted to US Army M992 vehicles but is offered for export. All ammunition handling within the M992 is mechanical. In use, the M992 backs up to the user M109 and the conveyor delivers the 155 mm ammunition at the rate of up to 8 rounds/minute to the M109 bustle or lower hatches.

The M992 can have a crew of two plus six passengers and the weight fully loaded is 25,900 kg. Intended primarily for use with M109 field units, the M992 can also be used by units with 175 mm, 203 mm, 120 mm and 105 mm self-propelled weapons. With 203mm units the M992 can carry 48 203 mm projectiles, 53 charges and 56 fuzes.

The basic M992A0 FAASV emerged from private venture research and development project by Bowen-McLaughlin-York to provide self-propelled field artillery units with a ballistically protected vehicle capable of performing critical resupply and support functions. It was based on an M109 howitzer chassis that provided the resupply asset with mobility and survivability characteristics commensurate with the supported cannon element. The XM992 was type-classified as the M992 FAASV system was type classified and entered production in 1983. Some of the Army's 664 basic M992A0 systems saw combat service in support of early M109 howitzers during Operation Desert Storm.

It has been suggested that the M992 could form the basis for a family of battlefield vehicles including a Fire Direction Centre Vehicle, Command Post Vehicle (CPV), Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV), Maintenance Assistance Vehicle (MAV) and Armored Forward Area Rearm Vehicle (AFARV).