In 1971, design submissions were received for both vehicle types: CONDEC, Ford, and Lockheed attempted to net the wheeled requirement while Chrysler, FMC, and Teledyne-Continental eyed the tracked requirement. In the end, the Lockheed design won out for the former while FMC netted the latter contract. In May of 1972, development contracts covering pilot (prototype) vehicles were given to both Lockheed and FMC covering the "XM800W" and XM800T", respectively.
Before the end of the year, both companies were actively testing their pilot vehicles and evaluations would continue into 1974. However, the Army saw neither form as a suitable alternative to the M113, which could also undertake the armed reconnaissance role (as could the in-service M151 Sheridan light tank), and, as such, neither vehicle was selected for adoption into service. FMC did, however, receive a contract to further certain MICV concepts which ultimately produced the "Bradley" series of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and its related offshoots so not all was lost.
Lockheed completed a pair of XM800W vehicles for their part in this now-abandoned Army program. One remains on display on the outdoor grounds of the Air Force Armament Museum today (2018) in Florida. It is completed in a bright orange scheme which reflects its time at the nearby Eglin Air Force Base EOD range.
As built, the XM800W was powered by a General Motors 6V53T diesel-fueled engine developing 300 horsepower. The engine was mated to an Allison MT650 transmission system offering five forward and two reverse speeds. Armor protection was from an Aluminum allow hull with a cast aluminum/steel turret. The vehicle weighed nearly 17,000lb when emptied. Performance included a road speed of 65 miles per hour and an operational range out to 450 miles (a 90 gallon tank was fitted internally). As an amphibious design, the armored car could make about 5 miles per hour through water sources and carried an Aero-jet water-jet system for propulsion.
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