What have the Vietnamese invented?

Answer 1

The "ACAV"; Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle. When the US M113 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier), which is still in service, entered production in 1960, they were sent to South Vietnam to equip ARVN troops (Army Republic South Vietnam) in 1962. Designed by US engineers to meet the US Army's "Battle taxi" concept, in which infantrymen rode to battle (inside the APC) and then dismounted to assault the objective (enemy). 2 crewmen manned the M113, while 11 grunts dismounted through the rear ramp door. The all aluminum constructed machine, armed with a .50 caliber Browning machine gun atop it's TC's hatch (Track Commander/Tank Commander), could swim across rivers, and was air transportable. When first engaged in battle, according to US Army doctrine and the designer's intent; ARVN casualties were high, especially in the TC department. By 1963/64, ARVN units had abandoned US Army doctrine and remained mounted on their M113's during attacks (assaults) and created steel shields for the .50 gunner and two side shields for the dis-mountable M-60 machine guns (or .30 caliber Brownings), located port/starboard rear on each side of the rear cargo hatch. An addition of belly armor was attached to the bottom front end (possibly added by US units upon their arrival). Now, instead of an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) as designed by US Engineers, the ARVN had an "Infantry Fighting Vehicle", in which infantrymen could fight mounted. Or, for those that dislike the title, IFV, the ARVN had created an "amphibious light tank" with extra tank crewmen aboard. When US units began arriving in '65, they liked the idea of the ACAV and titled it so. As for the US Army doctrine of the "Battle Taxi", US units were encouraged to adhere to Army doctrine...but in the field...GI's MUCH PREFERRED to fight mounted...as the ARVN had been doing with the M113. ACAV's in Vietnam became as common as Huey helicopters (UH-1 Iroquois). The vietnamese invented fish sauce