M50 Ontos
Overview
M50 Ontos
Forward view of M50 Ontos on the move in Vietnam in 1968.
Source: US Marine Corps -
© Public domain
Origin
United States
Type
Tank destroyer
Entered service
1956
Status
Out of service
Development
1952
Developer
United States
-
Allis-Chalmers
Production
1955 - 1957
M50 production run
1963 - 1965
M50A1 upgrade program
M50 production run
1963 - 1965
M50A1 upgrade program
Producer
United States
-
Allis-Chalmers
Number produced
297 M50 produced
176 converted to M50A1
176 converted to M50A1
Designations
Rifle, Multiple 106 mm, Self-propelled, M50
Official US military service designation
Official US military service designation
Notable users
United States
-
USMC
Details
Facts
M50 Ontos
General
Origin
United States
Type
Tank destroyer
Crew
3 (driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
8.6 t
Length
3.82 m
Width
2.59 m
Height
2.13 m
Main armament
Type
6x 106mm M40A1C recoilless rifle
4x 12.7mm M8C spotting rifle
Ammunition
18 rounds, 6 ready to fire
Elevation
-10 to + 20°
Traverse
40° over frontal arc
Secondary armament
Type
.30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine gun
Automotive
Chassis
Tracked chassis
Suspension
Torsion bar
Ground pressure
0.36 kg/cm²
Engine
M50: General Motors Model 302 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 145 hp
M50A1: Chrysler HT-361-318 8-cylinder gasoline engine, 180 hp
Mobility
Max speed
48 km/h
Range
185 km
Ground clearance
0.37 m
Wall
0.7 m
Trench
1.35 m
Fording
0.6 m unprepared
1.5 m with preparation
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
13 mm all around
Related articles
Browning M1919
A .30 caliber M1919A4 machine gun is mounted as a flexible weapon for self-defense.
Type 60
The Japanese Type 60 is a contemporary design. This has two 106mm M40 recoilless rifles in a raiseable mount.