M-50 ONTOS

In 1950, the US Army commissioned the Allis-Chalmers company to manufacture an airborne tank destroyer armed with 106mm recoilless guns. In 1952, the prototype was presented, which had a really distinctive and unique look. The vehicle had the official designation of “Rifle, Multiple 106 mm, Self-propelled, M50“, but soon it would be nicknamed like “Ontos“, that is the Greek word for “thing”, appellation that really was more than appropriate. Finally the US Army canceled the project, which would be picked up by the US Marines, who were ultimately the users of “the thing.” Despite its outrageous design and some drawbacks, the small vehicle had devastating firepower and soon earned the respect of those who fought with it.

M-50 ONTOS gallery and more info

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Country of origin

United States

Builder

Allis-Chalmers

Type

Tank destroyer

Entered service

1956

Crew

3

Combat weight

8,700 kg

Dimensions (length x width x height)

3.83 x 2.60 x 2.13 meters

Armour, (maximum)

Steel: 25mm

Power plant

1 x GMC model 302 6-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine, 145 hp

Speed

48 km/h

Range

250 km

Armament

6 x 106mm M-40A1C recoilless rifles + 4 x 12.7mm M8C spotting rifles + 1 x 7.62mm M-1919 MG

Ammunition

24 x 106mm rounds

Production

297