August 6, 2007: Israel has developed an M-113
armored personnel carrier (APC) upgrade,
called Urban Fighter, that protects passengers from heavy machine-gun
fire, roadside bombs and RPGs. The upgrades include a new composite armor (Iron
Wall) that is applied in blocks, so that damaged armor can be replaced. Iron
Wall can absorb blasts from roadside bombs and
EFPs (the Iranian Explosively Formed Projectile weapons). A new, more
compact slat armor design protects against RPGs. Bullet proof windows are added
to the vehicle, in the front and sides. There is an armored superstructure
(think of it as a fixed turret) that also contains bullet-proof windows. There
are also side and rear video cams to cover blind spots. There are firing ports
in the front, sides and rear. The nine passengers (driver and eight others) sit
in blast protected seats.
The upgraded M113 costs less than $100,000. The
first vehicles are being sent into action in Gaza and the West Bank this
Summer.
