XM8 Buford
The XM8 AGS (Armored Gun System) began development in the early
1980's as a replacement for the 82nd Airborne's M551 Sheridan and
certain TOW-equipped HMMWV's, developed from the Close Combat Vehicle
Light (CCVL) of 1983. Plans were to acquire a total of 237
vehicles. However, in 1996, the XM8 project was killed in the 1997
budget as the Army decided to use the money for procurement (26
vehicles at $142.8 million) elsewhere.
The XM8 was designed to use three different levels of bolt-on titanium
armor. Level I would protect against shell splinters and non-AP small
arms fire. Level II would protect against small arms AP and light
autocannons. Finally, Level III would protect against 30mm cannons.
Level II added 3 tons to weight and Level II added 5.5 tons. With Level
I armor, an XM8 could be air-dropped from a C-130.
While the XM8 resembles a conventional tank, it was intended solely as
an infantry support weapon, including busting bunkers. It was not
intended that it fight other tanks.
One limitation of the autoloader is that the gun must be at zero
elevation for an empty case to be removed and a fresh round loaded. The
autoloader holds 21 ready rounds, with nine more stowed in the hull.
The XM8 chassis was intended to be used for the LOSAT system.
Subassemblies: Body +3, Tracks +3, Turret [Body] +3, AAMG
Mount [Turret] -1, Left Discharger Mount [Turret] +0, Right Discharger
Mount [Turret] +0.
P&P: 410 kW HP diesel, 410-kW tracked drivetrain,
150 gallons diesel (fire chance: 9) in self-sealing tank, 8,000-kWs
lead-acid batteries
Occ: 3 NCS (driver, gunner, and commander)
Cargo: 10 cf internal (bin at rear of turret)
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| Body | 5/45 | 4/30 | 4/30 | 4/30 | 4/30 |
| Turret | 5/45 | 4/30 | 4/30 | 4/30 | 0/0 |
| Tracks | 4/25 | 4/25 | 4/25 | 4/25 | 4/25 |
Weaponry
105mm Rheinmetall XM35 [Turret:F] (19 HEDP, 4 Beehive, 7 HE)
7,62mm MMG coaxial [Turret:F] (4,500)
.50-cal M2HB anti-aircraft [Open Mount] (210)
Equipment
Body: 3-man NBC kit;
light amplification sensor. Turret:
full stabilization; weapon link; two medium range radio communicators
(30-mile range; scrambler); gunner's thermograph (scan 15, 5-mile
range); laser rangefinder (5-mile range); mini-targeting computer
(complexity 2; dedicated, hardened); +4 targeting program (C3). Left Discharger Mount: four smoke
dischargers. Right Discharger
Mount: four smoke dischargers.
Statistics
| Size: 18'x9'x7' | Payload: 3,375 lbs | Lwt: 38,477 lbs (19.25 tons) |
| Volume: 506 cf (Size Mod: +4) | Maint.: 30 hours | Price: $444,700 |
HT: 8
HP: 215 each [2xTracks], 610 [Body], 575 [Turret], 15 [AAMG
Mount], 30 [Left Discharger Mount], 30 [Right Discharger Mount].
| gSpeed: 45 |
gAccel: 4 |
gDecel: 20 | gMR: 0.5 | gSR: 6 |
GP: low (2/3) |
Design Notes
Frame is heavy for 197 cf body, 181 cf turret, 118 cf tracks, 1.5 cf
AAMG mount, and 4 cf eahc discharger mount. Vehicle is camoufaged.
Weight was increased 7.75 tons. Design speed was 60 mph.
New Weapons
105mm Rheinmetall XM35
Dam 4dx10(5) [10d] HEDP or 6dx12 [10d] HE pr 2d Beehive, Acc 15, SS 30,
1/2Dam 1900, Max 7100, ROF 1/5