M981 FISTV
Encyclopedia
The M981 FISTV is a United States Army
armored vehicle designed to house an artillery observer
team in mechanized units. It is based on the ubiquitous M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
chassis.
It was based on the M901 Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV)
, and outwardly closely resembles it, so as to make it less conspicuous on the battlefield.
, the system is able to obtain precise coordinates of a designated targets.
Although the M981 was supposed to be armed with a mounted M60 Machine gun
, in fact safety considerations associated with soldiers operating outside while the laser was operating resulted in crews being equipped with a detached M249 Squad Automatic Weapon instead.
The FISTV also has four SINCGARS
radios to track the numerous voice and data radio nets pertinent to fire support operations.
Each Armor or Mechanized Infantry
company in the US Army had one M981. Its crew consists of a Lieutenant, noncommisioned officer, and two soldiers. This crew doubles as the advisors to the company commander on fire support issues.
FISTVs are also used by Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLTs), a Brigade asset positioned to support the Brigade fires plan.
The M981 FISTV has been supplanted by the M7 Bradley and M1131 Stryker fire support vehicles.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
armored vehicle designed to house an artillery observer
Artillery observer
A military artillery observer or spotter is responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located tens of miles away...
team in mechanized units. It is based on the ubiquitous M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
chassis.
It was based on the M901 Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV)
M901 ITV
The M901 ITV is a United States Army armored vehicle designed to carry a dual M220 TOW launcher. It is based on the ubiquitous M113 Armored Personnel Carrier chassis.- Equipment :...
, and outwardly closely resembles it, so as to make it less conspicuous on the battlefield.
Equipment
The principal equipment on the FISTV is the Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD), pronounced "glid". This device obtains precise range information to a lased target. When combined with directional control from an inertial navigation system and vehicle coordinates from the Global Positioning SystemGlobal Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
, the system is able to obtain precise coordinates of a designated targets.
Although the M981 was supposed to be armed with a mounted M60 Machine gun
M60 machine gun
The M60 is a family of American general-purpose machine guns firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links...
, in fact safety considerations associated with soldiers operating outside while the laser was operating resulted in crews being equipped with a detached M249 Squad Automatic Weapon instead.
The FISTV also has four SINCGARS
SINCGARS
SINCGARS is a Combat Net Radio currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained...
radios to track the numerous voice and data radio nets pertinent to fire support operations.
Employment
The FISTV identifies targets and sends their description and location to the Fire Direction Center.Each Armor or Mechanized Infantry
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
company in the US Army had one M981. Its crew consists of a Lieutenant, noncommisioned officer, and two soldiers. This crew doubles as the advisors to the company commander on fire support issues.
FISTVs are also used by Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLTs), a Brigade asset positioned to support the Brigade fires plan.
History
Amongst its several advantages, the hammerhead could be raised from behind protective terrain or concealing cover. Although gyroscopes had their weaknesses, these systems were replaced or supplemented with other location & positioning systems, such as GPS. The crew could also use basic land navigation skills, like triangulating from known terrain features, should gyros or technology fail. The FISTV had several limitations, including the vehicle's poor performance compared to the M2 Bradleys and M1 Abrams tanks with which it maneuvered, forcing the other vehicles to wait while the FISTV labored to keep up. Its top-heavy design made it prone to rollovers. The lack of a heavy weapons system or enhanced armor meant the crew depended solely on the supported element for protection. It could not move with the hammerhead deployed in the raised position and it took the gyroscopes about 10 minutes to spin up, stabilize and locate once the vehicle's crew was parked and setup. This was required every time the vehicle moved or shot, which meant often losing positioning on the gyroscope. It was the first dedicated FIST vehicle.The M981 FISTV has been supplanted by the M7 Bradley and M1131 Stryker fire support vehicles.