The M88 Hercules is a series of armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) used by the U.S. military to recover damaged or immobilized vehicles on the battlefield. Developed from the M88 model introduced in 1961, the M88A2 variant, known as the Hercules, entered service in 1991. This version offers enhanced towing, winching, lifting, and braking capabilities, making it the primary recovery support for Abrams tanks and other heavy military vehicles.
Key specifications of the M88A2 Hercules include:
- Weight: Approximately 70 tons.
- Dimensions: Length of 8.6 meters, width of 3.7 meters, and height of 3.2 meters.
- Speed: Top speed of 48 km/h.
- Range: Operational range of about 322 kilometers.
- Armament: Equipped with a .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun.
- Crew: Operated by a crew of three: commander, operator, and mechanic.
In late March 2025, during a NATO training exercise near Pabrade, Lithuania, an M88 Hercules ARV carrying four U.S. soldiers became submerged in a peat bog approximately 4 meters below the water’s surface. Rescue operations are ongoing, with efforts to recover the vehicle and locate the missing soldiers facing significant challenges due to the vehicle’s weight and the swampy terrain.