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I looked at some M901 Improved Tow Vehicle (ITV) and M981 FIST-V vehicle's cupolas and they look like the cupolas from the M114A2 carriers. Anybody know if they are? Thanks in advance.

Not sure, but I can imagine that manufacturers reuse old designs. I remember figuring out that the Bradley road wheel was the same exact road wheel being used on M109 howitzer. The M109s were originally designed in the 50s and the Bradley came around decades later.

Hey Rob,
You ought to look at the M1117 cupola sight assembly, should look very familiar to anyone who TC'd an M60A3, especially the passive sight. Had some flashbacks when I was in one the other day. Everything old is new again, surprised they didn't bring back the old M85 with it.

Joe D

Hi Mark! Hi Sabot! Hi Folks!

Mark, M901/981 turrets.
Those are the XM-27 powered turrets from the old M114A2s(M114A1E1). That is why many ex-M114A2s are missing their turrets.

Sabot,
M109 and Bradley road wheels.
The first prototype (MICV-65/70, XM701) of what became the Bradley was based on the M107/M110/M578 hull with those large road wheels and track block that looks like the type used on M109s. The second prototype (XM723) switched the track to the wider type used on the USMC's LVTP-7(AAVP7) and the M109's road wheels. I guess that was a small effort to reduced the number of parts in the supply chain.

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Sgt, Scouts Out!