On July 1, 2023, Russian social media posted an image of the M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle (FAASV) Inaugural in Ukraine, a US-supplied vehicle. The FAASV was seen in the Zaporizhzhia area, serving as an artillery replenishment vehicle for the 47th separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the latest information published by the US Department of Defense on the supplied military equipment and vehicles, it is not specified that this type of vehicle has been delivered to the Ukrainian army.
On January 6, 2023, the staff of Army Recognition reported that the US Department of Defense had announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that included the delivery of 18 M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled tracked howitzers.
The M992 FAASV, often referred to as a “CAT” (Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked), is a specialized vehicle designed to carry artillery ammunition. It is a companion to the M109 self-propelled howitzer, a type of mobile artillery piece. Therefore, it is logical that the United States also delivered M992 to Ukraine to supply ammunition for the M109 howitzers.
The M992 is a vehicle used by the US Army, specifically designed as a Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV). It is based on the design of the M109 howitzer and serves primarily to transport artillery ammunition from supply points to artillery units on the ground.
The M992 can carry up to 95 rounds of 155mm artillery shells, along with their associated propellant charges and primers, in a well-protected environment within the vehicle. This large transport capacity ensures that artillery units have a sustained supply of ammunition during combat operations.
The vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic crane mounted in the center of the vehicle, which assists in the loading and unloading of ammunition. It carries multiple artillery rounds, which are stored on a conveyor belt system within the vehicle’s main body. This system also transfers ammunition directly from the M992 to the M109 howitzer.
The M992 features a fully enclosed armored cockpit to protect the crew from small arms fire and shell fragments. It also possesses nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection capabilities, as well as night vision optics for the driver and commander.
In terms of mobility, the M992 features a turbocharged diesel engine that allows it to keep up with the M109 howitzer and other armored vehicles on various terrains. Its maximum speed is about 38 kilometers per hour, and its autonomy is about 216 kilometers.
Despite being an ammunition carrier, the M992, the vehicle is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun for self-protection. Their primary role in the field is to ensure a constant supply of ammunition for artillery units, thus increasing the firepower and effectiveness of these units in combat situations.
Alain Henry de Frahan
