The M107 self propelled 175 mm gun and the M110 self propelled 8in (203 mm) howitzer were both characterized by rapid barrel wear and the need to be able to change the barrels frequently and simply. The US Army developed a crane for this purpose based on the tracked vehicle as the guns themselves. It has a turret with a boom rather than a gun barrel, and a winch which gave it a recovery as well as a lifting potential. This equipment, the M578, was issued to those artillery units using the guns during the 1970s. When the guns were withdrawn from service the M578 was redesignated a Light Armored Recovery Vehicle [VTR], used to recover damaged vehicles from the battlefield. The hydraulic crane is housed in a turret mounted at the rear of the chassis. a stabilizing spade hydraulically lowers from the rear. Used in both Vietnam war and Desert Storm.
Specifications | |
| Name | M578 Light Armored Recovery Vehicle |
| Crew | 3 |
| Combat Weight | 53,573 lb; Air portable 45,069 lb |
| Hull length | 18ft 4 in overall 21f 1 in |
| Width | 10ft 4 in |
| Height | 9ft 7in |
| Ground Clearance | 12ft 4in |
| Track Width | 16 in |
| Main Armamet | 12.7mm HB anti-aircrat gun with 500 rounds |
| Secondary Armament | none |
| Sensors and Fire Control | none |
| Armor | na |
| Powerplant | Detroit Diesel 8V71T 425-hp liquid-cooled turbocharged V-8 diesel engine, Allison XTG-411-2A powershift crossdrive transimission with 4 forwrd and / 2 reverse |
| Spension | torsion bars, 5 road wheels, front drive, no idler, no return rollers |
| Speed | 34 mph, range 450 miles |
| Obstacle Clearence | vertical 3ft 4 in , fording 3ft 6 in |
