Armored Fighting Vehicle Identification - (AFVID) SFC JAMES P. CARAS, Battalion Master Gunner HQ 1st Battalion 252d Armor

Introduction During the Second World War it was estimated that approximately 58% of all allied armor casualties were caused by the allies themselves. On today’s battlefield the ability to identify allied equipment is as important as identifying threat targets.

AFVID FEATURES Before discussing specific vehicles we need to have an understanding of the identification features to look for when determining the identification of an armored fighting vehicle.

AFVID FEATURES (cont.) Hull Armament Turret Suspension

HULL Shape of hull/hull construction Location and construction of hatches Design of side skirts Stowage boxes Exhaust ports and mufflers

Shape and Construction Sponson Box

Hatches

Side skirts (or lack of)

Stowage boxes

Exhaust ports

Mufflers

ARMAMENT Length, size and number of guns or weapons Bore evacuators Muzzle brakes Thermal jackets Muzzle reference collimators Machine guns

Guns or weapons

Bore evacuators (or lack of)

TURRET Shape and construction of turret Turret overhang Infantry rails Stowage boxes and racks Spent case ejection ports Markings Size and shape of gun mantlet Location and design of hatches, cupolas and sighting equipment Lack of turret

SUSPENSION Supported Track Non-Supported Track Number of Road Wheels and/or Support Rollers Spacing of Road Wheels Design or construction of Road Wheels Track or wheeled

Non-Supported (Christie)

Supported

# of Road Wheels and/or Support Rollers 5 3 4 1 2 1 2 5 6 3 4

Spacing of Road Wheels

Cast Road Wheels

Stamped Road Wheels

Tracks or Wheels