In the early 1950s, the US Marine Corps has applied for highly mobile tank destroyer. In October 1951 Industry has received permission to manufacture at least 5 installation of prototypes: all as the main weapons used by anti-tank recoilless gun. After their release, and the test in February 1953 for the acquisition of the appropriations were allocated 24 production installation samples T165, equipped with 6 caliber guns 106 mm.
American multi-lateral tank destroyer M50 "Ontos" – video
Their tests showed the need for revision of attachment points, fire control system and the landing gear suspension. The rest of the samples were performed on a modified lapping several projects and have received the name T165E2. Finally, after testing these installations of the same series and the necessary structural modifications gun was put into production as a multi-lateral self-propelled anti-tank 106-mm plant M50, or simply "Ontos" (Greek "thing"), In August 1955 the company "Allis Chalmers" won the tender for production by November 1957 of the year 297 machines. Later it was decided to replace the original carburetor engine "General Motors" to "Chrysler" capacity 180 HP. so, 294 M50 machine made according to the new configuration (not counting small improvements) as the M50A1.
M50 "Ontos" fought in South Vietnam and the Dominican Republic, but it was withdrawn from service Marine no direct replacement, the function of anti-tank shifted to different types of weapons, including anti-tank guided missiles TOW, to start up from the ground or from combat vehicles.
M50 was armed 6 recoilless anti-tank guns M40A1S, mounted on a common base at the rear of the installation housing. They could turn on manually 40 degrees to the right and to the left:their angle varied from the vertical guidance -10 to 20 '. The top row of four guns supplemented by sighting a rifle caliber M8C 12,7 mm. First, all tools exhibited by an optical sight. whereupon a test shot of a gun. Target hit was signaled cloud of smoke - so the gunner learned, that the main weapon imposed correctly. ammunition contained 18 caliber shells 106 mm plus 80 sighting rounds. Additional arms mounted on a roof included 7.62mm gun M1919A4.
Battle station was in front of the driver, left, the engine to his right. It acervuline combat compartment located to the rear board installation: Access to it was carried out through two doors in the rear board. The engine was connected to a transverse drive transmission XT-90-2 Production "GM", power transmission to the drive sprocket at the front of the housing. There have been attempts to use the M50 chassis in a number of experimental armored infantry fighting vehicles (BMP), but they have not reached the production stage.
The performance characteristics of ACS M50 "Ontos"
| Calculation | 3 man |
| Weight | 8640 kg |
| Power point | Carburetor Model 302 production “Dzhenerap Motors” |
| Power | 145 HP. |
| dimensions | total length 3.82 m; width 2.6 m: height 2.13 m |
| full speed | 48 kmh |
| Power reserve | 240 km |
| Caliber guns and stamp | 6 × 106 mm M40A1C |
| Shotgun | 1 × 7,62-mm M1919A4 |
| gun ammunition | 18 |
| Other weapons | 4 Mm × 12,7-sighting rifle M8C |
Foto SAU M50 "Ontos"
