Armored Utility Vehicle M441-3

M44: General
Date of first acceptance 1945 Total acceptances 6
Manufacturer Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp. Crew
27 men:
  • Commander in hull center
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Bow gunner in hull right front
  • 24 passengers
M44: Dimensions
Combat weight 51,000lbs
23,000kg		 Height over cupola 100.0"
254.0cm
Length 256.3"
651.0cm		 Width 119.6"
303.8cm
Tread 96.0"
244cm		 Ground clearance 18.3"
46.5cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 8.1psi
.57kg/cm²
M44: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in roof AA mount 550 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount in right bow 1000 rounds Manual Manual
M44: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front .375"
.953cm		 60°
Middle front .625"
1.59cm		 10°
Lower front .50"
1.3cm		 0° to 68°
Upper sides .50"
1.3cm		 0°
Lower sides .375"
.953cm		 0°
Upper rear .50"
1.3cm		 0°
Lower rear .375"
.953cm		 53°
Front top .375"
.953cm		 82°
Center top .375"
.953cm		 90°
Top sides .375"
.953cm		 70°
Sponson floor .375" to .25"
.953cm to .64cm		 90°
Floor .3125"
.7938cm		 90°
M44: Automotive
Engine Continental R-975-D4; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, static radial, supercharged gasoline
Horsepower Net: 400@2400rpm
Gross: 460@2400rpm		 Torque Net: 940 ft-lb@1700rpm
Gross: 1025 ft-lb@1800rpm		 Fuel capacity 250gal
946L
Transmission 900AD Torqmatic, 3 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M44: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 6 independently sprung dual/track 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first 2 and last 2 road wheels/track
M44: Track
Center guide, single pin, cast steel chevron
Width 21"
53cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 83 Ground contact length 149.1"
378.7cm
M44: Performance
Max level road speed 32mph
51kph		 Max trench 84"
210cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 44'
13m		 Max fording depth 40"
100cm
Cruising range ~180mi, roads
~290km, roads

The M44 used the power train of the 76mm GMC M18. The engine compartment was at the front of the vehicle between the driver and bow gunner, and the commander's station was just behind the engine compartment. The driver, commander, and bow machine gunner each had their own vision cupolas, and there were pistol ports for the passengers along the hull sides and in both of the rear entry doors. The .50cal machine gun was mounted at the rear of the M44 next to a hatch in the passenger compartment roof. World War II ended before M44 could see production, however even if the vehicle had been ready for full-scale production before hostilities had ended, it was simply too big to be practical. Doctrine at that time called for a squad-sized personnel carrier, and the 24-troop capacity of M44 was just too large.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. USA: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  3. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume II: Armored Cars, Scout Cars, and Personnel Carriers.

Last updated 26 Jan 2022.
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