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M113*
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Light APC*
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The original M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)*
 helped to revolutionize mobile military*
 operations. The vehicles were able to carry 11*
 soldiers plus a driver and track commander under*
 armor protection across hostile battlefield*
 environments. More importantly, the new vehicles*
 were air transportable, air-droppable, and*
 swimmable, allowing planners to incorporate APCs*
 in a much wider range of combat situations,*
 including many "rapid deployment" scenarios. The*
 M113s were so successful that they were quickly *
identified as the foundation for a family of*
 vehicles. Early derivatives included both*
 command post (M577) and mortar carrier*
 (M106) configurations. *
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