Cadillac Gage Commando

The Cadillac Gage Commando, frequently denoted as the M706 in U.S. military service,[7] is an American armored car designed to be amphibious.[6] It was engineered by Cadillac Gage specifically for the United States Military Police Corps during the Vietnam War as an armed convoy escort vehicle.[7] The Commando was one of the first vehicles to combine the traditionally separate roles of an armored personnel carrier and a conventional armored car, much like the Soviet BTR-40.[8] Its notable height, amphibious capability, and waterproofed engine allowed American crews to fight effectively in the jungles of Vietnam by observing their opponents over thick vegetation and fording the country's deep rivers.[7]

Cadillac Gage Commando
A Philippine National Police Special Action Force V-150 Armored Vehicle
Type
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used bySee Operators
Wars
List of Conflicts
Production history
DesignedJune 1962[3][4]
ManufacturerCadillac Gage[5]
No. built3,200[5]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass7.37 tonnes (8.12 short tons; 7.25 long tons) (V-100)[3]
9.8 tonnes (10.8 short tons; 9.6 long tons) (V-150)[6]
12.73 tonnes (14.03 short tons; 12.53 long tons) (V-200)[3]
Length5.69 m (18 ft 8 in) (V-100/V-150)[5]
6.12 m (20 ft 1 in) (V-200)[3]
Width2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) (V-100/V-150)[5]
2.43 m (8 ft 0 in) (V-200)[3]
Height2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) (V-100/V-200)[3]
2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) (V-150)[3]
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 9 passengers[6]
Main
armament
1x Cockerill Mk3 90mm cannon
1x 20mm autocannon
1x 7.62mm machine gun
Secondary
armament
2x 6x 40mm smoke grenade launchers
EngineChrysler 361 eight-cylinder petrol[4]
210 hp (156 kW) at 4,000 rpm[4]
Power/weight20.42 hp/tonne (15.22 kW/tonne)[5]
Ground clearance0.38m (V-100/V-150)[6]
0.43 (V-200)[3]
Fuel capacity303 liters (V-100/V-150)[6]
379 liters (V-200)[3]
Operational
range
644 km[5][6]
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)[6]

The Commando was eventually produced in three distinct marks: the V-100, V-150, and V-200, all of which were modified for a number of diverse battlefield roles.[3] An unlicensed copy of the Commando series, the Bravia Chaimite, was also manufactured in Portugal.[3] After the American military disengagement from Vietnam, the Commando series was gradually retired from active U.S. service.[7] It was superseded in the Military Police Corps by the derivative M1117 Armored Security Vehicle during the 1990s.[5][9]

Design and development

The V-100 series of vehicles was developed in the early 1960s by the Terra-Space division of the Cadillac Gage company of Warren, Michigan. By 1962 a patent was filed and received by Terra-Space for a vehicle then only known as the Commando.[10] The first prototype emerged in 1963, and the production variants entered service in 1964.

A V-100 (XM706) Armored Car advertisement showing a turret featuring a minigun

The vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and uses axles similar to the ones used in the M35 series of trucks. The engine is a gasoline-powered 360-cubic-inch Chrysler V8, same as in the early gas models of the M113 armored personnel carriers. Its 5-speed manual transmission allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain. The M706 has a road speed of 62 mph (100 km/h), and can travel across water at 3 mph (4.8 km/h).

A Commando's armor consists of high hardness alloy steel called Cadaloy, which protects against projectiles up to 7.62×51mm. Partly because of its armor, the M706 has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons. As a result, a common problem with the vehicle is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight. However, because the armor also provides the monocoque structural framework, it can be lighter than a soft vehicle to which armor has been added, and the angle of the armor also helps protect against hits and mine blasts.

The V-100 was available in turret and open-top models. Factory prototype turret options included the T-60, T-70, and T-90. The T-60 featured a combination of either two .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns, or one of each, and had manual traverse.[11]

The specific .30 caliber machine gun options were extremely varied, with from factory configurations including the M1919A4E1, M37, M73, M219, and MG42. Later the M60 and FN MAG were also added to the list of options.[12] The Cadillac Gage company also intended to use the solenoid trigger equipped fixed machine gun version of the Stoner 63 weapon system, but this was dropped after tests showed the smaller caliber cartridge to be unsuited to this role.[13]

The T-90 featured a single 20 mm cannon with power traverse. The T-70, developed for police use, featured 4 tear gas launchers, vision blocks all around the turret for 360-degree vision, and no other weapons. The T-70 and T-90 were not put into mass production; instead, a modified T-60—with the guns centrally mounted, rather than along the outer edges—became the standard. A variant of this turret featuring the 7.62 mm General Electric Minigun was also developed.[14]

In addition an open-topped variant with a central parapet was developed. The intended usage of this variant was to be a mortar portee, but a total of five machine gun mounts could also be fitted. There were 2 in front, one in the rear all three M2 Browning or Mk 19 capable and one folding pintle point on each side capable of mounting any .30 caliber machine gun such as the M1919 Browning machine gun, M60 or any other machine gun of that class. An enclosed raised superstructure "pod" was also developed for converting the V-100 into either a command vehicle or for police use. The variants for police work featured special elongated firing ports for better angles of fire for tear gas grenade launchers.[15]

Relatively large-gunned variants of the V-100 began appearing in 1964, when Cadillac Gage marketed the Commando against the Alvis Saladin and Panhard AML-90 for a Royal Saudi Army requirement specifying a wheeled armoured vehicle equipped with a large semi-automatic cannon.[16] A number of V-150s were later successfully tested and offered with a Mecar low-pressure 90mm smoothbore gun. With the new turret and gun, the V-150 was manned by a crew of three, although it retained enough space for eight additional passengers if no additional shell racks were added.

At maximum capacity its hull could store up to thirty-nine rounds of 90mm ammunition and still seat four additional passengers. Subsequent V-150 models incorporated a slightly larger turret armed with a much more powerful Cockerill Mk.III 90mm gun, the same as that carried by the EE-9 Cascavel. A third fire support option involved the retrofitting of the Commando chassis with the complete turret and 76mm L23A1 gun of the British FV101 Scorpion tracked reconnaissance vehicle.

Marketing for the V-150 family was halted in 2000.[17]

In 2010, Federal Defense Industries announced that they entered into an agreement with Textron Marine & Land Systems in order to provide authorized aftermarket parts, support and other types of assistance for the V-100/150/200 since FDI maintains a technical library for spare parts.[18]

In 2011, Napco entered into an agreement with Textron to provide authorized aftermarket parts, support and other types of assistance for the V-100/150.[19]

Operational use
The M706 armored car at Fort Leonard Wood.
US Air Force Security Policemen aboard a V-100 (XM-706E2) during exercise Team Spirit '81.

The Commando was originally deployed to South Vietnam in September 1963[20] for use by the U.S. Army Military Police, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps and allied forces including the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). It was introduced in Vietnam as the XM706 Commando first to the ARVN who loaned the first examples to the U.S. Army in June 1967. By the end of 1968, the U.S. Army had purchased its own version of the armored car, the XM706E1, later standardized as the M706. Within the U.S. Army it was affectionately known as the Duck, or the V.

The main differences between the XM706 and XM706E1/M706 were in the design of the gas tank fill port covers, side windows, front vision blocks, and most importantly in the weaponry. The XM706 featured two .30-06 caliber M37 machine guns, while the XM706E1/M706 for the U.S. Army featured two 7.62mm NATO M73 machine guns for better ammunition commonality with existing weapons. The ARVN, on the other hand, were still using a variety of weapons in the .30-06 caliber and had relevant ammunition in their supply train.

In practice, the ARVN found the standard two-gun armament to be lacking and often mounted an additional M1919A4 machine gun on a standard tripod mount at the rear radio operator's hatch.[21] A number of their V-100s were also refitted with the combination turret armament of one M37 and one .50 BMG-caliber M2HB machine gun.[22] The V-100 in with the ARVN mainly saw service in armored car elements of armored cavalry units, but also as part of the mechanized platoons of the South Vietnamese Regional Forces.[23] Compared to the American counterparts ARVN V-100 units had larger crews, including a commander riding shotgun, and a radio operator outside the rear hatch.

Two V-100 (XM-706E2) of the USAF Security Police on patrol, circa 1968.

Another model, the XM706E2, was supplied to the U.S. Air Force for base protection purposes, post-attack reconnaissance against munitions and EOD use. The XM706E2 featured no turret and an open-topped center parapet. In practice a variety of weapons were mounted on USAF XM706E2s, but the most common configuration was one M2HB machine gun and one M60 machine gun. Other equipment included the XM174 40 mm grenade launcher and searchlights.

The 3rd Security Police Group of the United States Air Force at Clark Air Base Republic of the Philippines was still operating the "Duck" as a Fire-Team vehicle until it received M1026 HMMWVs in the fall of 1988. The vehicles were then semi-retired, and occasionally used as "steel bunkers” at the gates, because of the difficulty in keeping the 20-year-old vehicles running.

The V-100 carries a maximum crew of two with up to 10 passengers. In road patrol, convoy duty and base defense use by the U.S. Army's Military Police, it usually had a crew of two: driver and gunner. Additional armament often included two or three top-mounted M2 or M60 machine guns. Other weapons such as M134 Miniguns were also sometimes used. Passengers could also use their personal weapons to fire through the vehicle's various gun ports.

In spite of its effectiveness during the Vietnam War, the U.S. military made limited use of the V-100s after the war, deploying only small units of the armored cars with U.S. Army Military Police platoons at the Herlong Army Depot in California during the 1970s, or other related sites across the country. The remaining V-100s were expended as "hard targets" for tank and machinegun ranges throughout various military installations.[20]

Survivors remain in service with various smaller forces, such as the People's Army of Vietnam, Royal Thai Army, Republic of China Military Police, the Philippine Army, Marine Corps, and Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police, the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Army of Venezuela and the Jamaica Defence Force. It was used by the Malaysian Army in Second Malayan Emergency (now retired) and Royal Malaysia Police (GOF- Pasukan Gerakan Am) until now. The vehicle is also used by many SWAT units in the U.S. and gendarmerie forces overseas. The V-100 is the predecessor of the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle which is being used by the U.S. Army for convoy protection and other duties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For many years the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had used 2 V-100s and used them for high risk warrant arrests. They pioneered the first SWAT teams and were the first to use the V-100 as a law enforcement vehicle. Typically a court issued warrant was required to use them, however the LAPD had deployed them outside of that requirement. On a moment's notice the LAPD Metropolitan Division could have a V-100 (nicknamed the "tank") in the field for shooting scenarios as well as officer assistance calls. Instead of outfitting these vehicles with guns the LAPD would attach a 10-foot (3.0 m) battering ram. The battering ram's flat end was decorated with a smiley face and captioned "Have a nice day." The LAPD has retired the V-100 vehicles.

Today some SWAT teams around the nation have similar V-100s. On the A&E TV show "Detroit SWAT" a V-100 with a battering ram is often seen being used by the Detroit SWAT team. Most SWAT operations now are more updated with better equipped APCs and armored vans. However, when needed, the V-100 continues to be a valuable tool for making a tactical entrance on a building, residence, etc.

Variants
Royal Malaysia Police General Operations Forces personnel on V-150 fighting vehicle in jungle operation, 1985
A Singapore Army V-200 Commando with 20mm cannon

Cadillac Gage's basic V-100 vehicle spawned an entire series of vehicles. This development was continued even after the production and further development of the system was passed to Marine and Land Division of the Textron company. These included updated 4×4 vehicles, but also expanded 6×6 vehicles utilizing a similar design and some basic components.

V-150

The V-150 was a hybrid variant which actually came after the V-200 and was based on the V-200 but had some V-100 features. It could be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines and most were produced for the Saudi Arabian National Guard as the V-150S. The V-150 was initially fitted with the same Chrysler V8 gasoline engine and three-speed transmission as the V-100, but these were later superseded by a Cummins six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.[24]

Unlike the V-200, all V-150s retained the same size and dimensions of the earlier V-100s; however, they were manufactured with heavier axles and modified suspension units. The V-150's hull was also designed specifically to carry heavier weapons systems, such as large smoothbore guns for fire support and anti-tank purposes.[24]

In the 1980s Portugal updated its Chaimites (originally built between 1967 and 1974) with a 90 mm turret (V-400), but the Portuguese Army also bought 15 examples of the U.S.-made V-150 Commando.[25][26]

The Philippine Army continue to use their V-150s in 2017, when several photos appeared on social media of a vehicle with heavy wooden planks and flattened ammunition crates were applied as improvised armour against ISIL insurgents in the southern islands.[27] The effectiveness of the improvised vehicle armour against proper rocket-propelled grenades is doubtful, but it has been judged to reduce some of the RPG's damage.[28] On June 7, 2023, LAV-150s upgraded by Larsen & Toubro were tested in Bulacan.[29]

HMV-150

The HMV-150 is a modernized and upgraded variant of the V-150 created by Thailand in 2017. Locally designed by Panus Assembly, the HMV-150 has a new design to respond to new threats and especially to offer more protection against mines and IEDs. The internal layout of the vehicle is also modified to offer more internal space, giving a capacity to carry up to ten military personnel.[30]

The original V-150 only had the capacity to transport five people. The vehicle is fitted with a new 8.9 liter Cummins ISL engine Euro 3 developing 350 hp. coupled to a new Allison 4500 automatic transmission with six gears. The HMV-150 can achieve a maximum road speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).[30]

An unknown amount of HMV-150s have been delivered. Currently they are being operated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces, most especially the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Marine Corps.

V-200

The V-200 was essentially an enlarged version of the V-100 and utilized many components of the U.S. Army's 5-ton trucks. This version was designed to the specifications of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and entered service in 1968. It was fitted with a custom diesel engine and was notably heavier than the V-100.[31] ST Kinetics upgraded the Singaporean fleet of V-200 vehicles in 2002 with electric turret drives and made some detail improvements to both the engine and transmission. The Singapore Army continued to hold two hundred V-200s in reserve until 2015, when they were formally retired and replaced by the Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle (PRV).[31][32]

Fifty V-200s were operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force for on-base security and equipped with Swedish-manufactured RBS 70 surface to air missiles in a turret mount. It is unclear whether these were retired in 2015 as well.[31]

LAV-300
Main article: LAV-300

Originally named as the V-300, the LAV-300 is a 6×6 variant originally designed for a heavy weapons support role.

LAV-600
Main article: LAV-600

The V-600 is a much heavier version of the V-300 and was intended to fulfill heavier weapons support. The primary version is equipped with a 105 mm turret.

Military operators
This section is about operators of the Cadillac Gage Commando. For operators of the Portuguese-built variant, see Bravia Chaimite § Operators.
Several 90 mm and 20 mm V-150s of the Haitian Army seized by the U.S. military during Operation Uphold Democracy, 24 September 1994.
V-150s of the Taiwanese military police.

V-100

V-150

V-200

Former operators
  •  United States[1]

Civil operators

V-150

Similar vehicles

See also

References
Citations
  1. "V150 Commando". Deagel.
  2. Purbakusuma, Hanung Jati (12 May 2019). "Foto Foto Darurat Militer Aceh 2003-2004, Operasi Militer Lawan GAM" [Photos of the 2003-2004 Aceh Military Emergency, Military Operations Against GAM]. Hobbymiliter.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 April 2022.
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  15. Lathrop & McDonald (2002), pp. 10, 42.
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  19. "Napco General Presentation" (PDF). Napco International. 2011.
  20. Doyle (2008), p. 2.
  21. Lathrop & McDonald (2002), p. 17.
  22. Lathrop & McDonald (2002), p. 15.
  23. RF/PF Advisors Handbook 1971, p. I-8
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  34. Ross, Russell, ed. (1987). Cambodia, a Country Study. Area Handbook Series (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, American University. p. 313. ISBN 978-0-16-020838-6.
  35. Conboy & Morrison (1995), p. 290.
  36. Lathrop & McDonald (2002), p. 42.
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  38. "Việt Nam có nên tái biên chế thiết giáp V-100 Commando?" [Should Vietnam re-commission the V-100 Commando?]. Báo Nghệ An điện tử (in Vietnamese). 14 June 2017.
  39. Trung, Tuấn (19 July 2014). "Điểm qua một số chương trình nâng cấp vũ khí nổi bật của VN (P3)" [Check out some outstanding weapons upgrade programs of Vietnam (P3)]. Soha.vn (in Vietnamese).
  40. The Military Balance 2021, p. 454.
  41. "New-model African armies" (PDF). Janes Information Services. 2017. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
  42. The Military Balance 2021, p. 457.
  43. "Commando Scout". WarWheels.Net. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
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