Pooled resources: Poznań teams up with BAE for Hercules service
The Poznań Military Automotive Works has signed a contract with BAE Systems to service M88 Hercules recovery vehicles, used by the Polish military alongside Abrams tanks. This contract is the culmination of extensive efforts, ultimately leading to WZM's certification, which confirms the Polish company's capacity to manage American equipment.
The agreement between BAE Systems and the Military Automotive Works stipulates that the M88A2 Hercules vehicles (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation), operated by Poland, will be serviced in Poznań. The scope of work includes both ongoing maintenance and repair operations.
The M88A2 Hercules vehicles arrived in Poland alongside the Abrams tanks, serving as their designated recovery vehicles. Poland ordered a total of 38 of these vehicles, intended to work with M1A1 and M1A2 tanks.
Although the M88A2 is the primary recovery vehicle of the US Army, it is technically outdated, having been designed in the 1950s and built on M48 tank components.
M88A2 recovery vehicle
Unlike most modern recovery vehicles, the M88A2 is primarily an evacuation vehicle used for towing damaged tanks. Although BAE Systems representatives emphasize that the Hercules is capable of towing Abrams tanks, in practice, due to the weight of the American tanks, two M88A2 vehicles are required for their efficient evacuation.
The advantage of the M88A2 is its high-capacity crane, which allows it to lift any component of the Abrams, including the turret and propulsion system. However, its functionality is limited by the immobile crane arm, necessitating maneuvering the entire vehicle to utilize the crane.
The US Army is aware of the limitations of the currently used recovery vehicle, which is why work is underway on its successor, the M88A3 variant. The M88A3 will have significantly greater capabilities, enabling it to independently tow an Abrams tank.
