In mid-1992 the US Army on the basis of the results of international comparative tests chosen to equip the mobile forces, in particular the 82nd Airborne Division, an armored cannon system (AOS) HM8 PMC Corporation. This system - light tank - is a further development of the established in the early 1980s, the initiative in the light combat vehicle melee. The first specimen of this armored vehicle was released in August 198
However, the second sample had another sick raditsionnuyu for layout light tanks and more powerful engine. Major changes in HM8 compared with previous systems include the installation of a 105-mm rifled gun designed Uoterflaytskim arsenal, and the rejection of a single thermal imaging device monitoring commander.
Results will be released about 300 light tanks HM8. The contract for their production involves three stages. In the first of them by April 1996 6 prototypes were produced, as well as housing and ballistic tests Tower (costs amounted to about 119 million. Dollars). On the second - September 1996 - December 1997 - small parties were issued and purchased 69 machines ($ 180 million.). On the third - the beginning of 2000 - has been planned mass production until 231 cars worth $ 600 million.
The design HM8 tank uses a number of new technical solutions. First of all it is asymmetrical tower, on the right side of which are located gunner and commander, and in the left part of the automatic loader guns. The roof of the engine-transmission compartment is raised significantly above the turret, so the gun does not have a declination angle to the stern. Management Office is located in the bow of the hull. The driver's seat is set in the middle compartment, boarding and alighting are carried out through the hatch cover which folds up and back. The driver's seat is equipped with five wide-angle periscope device for driving a car with closed hatches. The installation of passive night vision devices. The main armament is a 105mm gun M35 nizkoimpulsnaya back with 533-mm long, permanently installed device alignment and muzzle brake.
The basic hull and turret are welded from aluminum alloy armor. They can be installed additional armor modules provide three levels of protection. The first level corresponds to the protection of the BMP "Bradley". It is compulsory for cars coming at equipping rapid deployment forces. The combat weight of the car in this case is 17.5 m.
To mask a wide range of conditions, the tank has a camouflage color. On the cheek of the tower on both sides of the gun mounted units (8 trunks) grenade, of which can be fired at the front sector of various types of grenades. The machine is also set to block missile defense. Implemented structural measures to reduce the effect zabronevogo caught in the tank shells
US Department of Defense announced HM8 light tank company "Food mashineri" winner within AC5 program. His design used already in use in other tanks designs, components and assemblies, which greatly saves financial resources in the process of mass production and will enable optimization of the design-layout scheme combat vehicle in a relatively short period of time.