The
M981A3 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) is a variant
of the M113 FOV that is used as an artillery forward observer vehicle in
accordance with the fire support team concept. It's primary mission is
to enhance combined arms efficiency by providing the FIST HQ with an operating
base for targeting, self-locating and designating equipment which will
provide improvements in first round accuracy and by providing mobility
and survivability comparable with the maneuver units being supported
The M981 transports a G/VLLD. The turret is designed to resemble that of the M901, making the vehicle less conspicuous to enemy gunners. The FISTV has secure voice and digital communication capability.
TACOM intention is to block materiel changes (MC) as funding becomes available. Possible changes include:
Battery Backup-NSG
- This
MC adds an emergency battery power supply to provide an automatic backup
of the power supply and a transition sensing unit on the M981 and M981A3
vehicles to warn crew members of a low voltage condition and increase mission
readiness.
- This
MC provides an automatic stow capability which will enable the operator
to stow the sighting station without prepositioning the head prior to initiating
the stow procedure. Under combat conditions, this time consuming procedure
subjects the crew and vehicle to enemy fire and increases the time necessary
to take evasive action. Modification to the sighting station will enable
it to be stowed automatically at the touch of a switch.
- This
MC is an installation of remote adjustment knobs inside the vehicle. Presently,
one crew member must install the collimator and remain outside the vehicle
while the crew member inside adjusts for elevation and azimuth at his direction.
Remote collimator reduces the crew's exposure to hostile fire during boresighting
and provides more accurate and quicker boresighting when one operator is
able to perform adjustments while he is viewing the scene himself.
- This
MC is an installation of a remotely controlled cover for the night sight.
Presently, the night sight lens is vulnerable to damage from rocks and
other objects. The cover will reduce damage to the lens and reduce set-up
time by keeping the lens free of dirt.
- The
purpose of this MC is to provide laser protection to the AN/TAS-4 Night
Sight to prevent operator eye injury from damaging laser energy. This change
provides a switch mounted in the operators station in the vehicle for control
of the filter. The kit includes the switch, electrical cable, and various
mounting hardware and fasteners.
- The
purpose of this MC is to provide laser protection to the Wide Field of
View optical path to prevent operator eye injury from damaging laser energy.
M981A3 NSN: 2350-01-369-6079
LIN: C12155