Army Plans New Smoke Vehicle

The Army is investigating conversion of M901 Improved TOW Vehicles to smoke generator vehicles that will replace the M1059s now in the inventory. Like the M1059, the new Large Area Mobile Protected Smoke System ( LAMPSS ) would be built on the M113-style chassis, but the smoke generating equipment would be far more advanced than the 1940s-era technology on the M1059.

Instead of the TOW-launching "hammerhead" on the M901, the new vehicle would have a launcher for smoke rockets capable of projecting a smoke Screen out to a distance of six kilometers.

In addition, the smoke generator on the vehicle would be capable of tailoring its smoke to specific screening purposes; for example, the defeat of infrared sighting equipment, night-vision aids, thermal viewers, or image intensifiers. It would do this by injecting carbon-based particles with the oil that is burned to create the "fog." One smoke variant would be able to mask troops and vehicles from the millimeter-wave seekers on the newest generation of guided weapons. Other changes to the ITV would include a land navigation and turret positioning system, improved engine and transmission to increase horsepower from 212 to 300, and better accommodations for the crew of three, to include a operator. driver, The commander, and smoke-genemtor be ab*e to genemte smoke Not a PfOtOWPe. but a technology demonstrator Of a system that will both generate and project smoke from a tracked camer, the LAMPSS carrier has been exhibited at the Armor Conference, 1 lth Worldwide Chemical Conference, and at Aberdeen Proving Ground's Armed Forces Day show. It was fabricated in only 45 days at Red River Army Depot, Texas. for about an hour before requiring refueling. 44 ARMOR -