M578

The M578 Light Recovery Vehicle is an armored recovery vehicle built on the chassis of the M107/M110 self-propelled howitzer. It is designed to provide battlefield recovery and maintenance support for other armored vehicles.

Developed by the FMC Corporation in the late 1950s to provide a highly mobile, air-transportable support asset for light armored divisions, the M578 officially entered service with the United States Army in 1962. The vehicle saw extensive combat deployment during the Vietnam War, where it proved invaluable for recovering damaged light vehicles and performing field maintenance under fire, and it later supported coalition forces during the Gulf War. It was also widely exported to over a dozen allied nations, including Israel, Brazil, and various NATO members. Although the U.S. military has since retired the M578 in favor of heavier recovery platforms, it remains in active service with several foreign militaries today.