M8 Greyhound
Summary
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Light Armoured Vehicle |
| Sub-type | Reconnaissance Armored Vehicle |
| Manufacturer | |
| Number built | None units |
Technical specifications
| Crew | 4 personnels |
| Range | 480 km |
| Mass | 7.7 tons |
| Height | 2.54 m (8.3 ft) |
| Width | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) |
| Length | 5.01 m (16.4 ft) |
| Max. speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Engine | Hercules Model JXD Inline-6 Diesel Engine with 110 hp |
| Weapon 1 | 1 M6 37mm gun |
| Weapon 2 | 1 Browning 12.7mm machine gun |
| Weapon 3 | 1 7.62mm Browning machine gun |
Further Reading
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Historical operators
Description
The M8 light armored car was developed by the Ford Motor Company following a 1941 requirement from the U.S. Army Ordnance Department for a fast tank destroyer to replace the M6 gun motor carriage. Although originally intended for a tank destroyer role, the mission transitioned to reconnaissance after the 37 mm gun was determined to be ineffective against the frontal armor of German tanks. The Ford T22 prototype was selected for production in 1942, and the vehicle entered service in 1943. While American forces primarily used the M8 for reconnaissance, the British Army, which designated the vehicle as the Greyhound, also employed it to support armored columns.
The vehicle utilizes a 6x6 chassis and carries a crew of four, including a commander, gunner, driver, and radio operator. Primary armament consists of a 37 mm M6 gun and a coaxial .30 caliber Browning machine gun situated in an open-topped, welded turret. A .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun was frequently retrofitted to a ring mount for anti-aircraft defense. The armor protects the crew from small-arms fire and shrapnel, though the floor is vulnerable to anti-tank mines. A Hercules JXD gasoline engine provides power; its quiet operation facilitated stealth during operations. The M8 maintained reliability and range on roads, but its off-road performance was restricted by high ground pressure and a wide turning radius, particularly in mud or heavily wooded areas.
The M8 saw its first combat during the 1943 invasion of Sicily and was subsequently deployed in Italy, Northwest Europe, and the Pacific. In the Pacific theater, it was used on Okinawa and the Philippines, where it was employed against Japanese armor. The vehicle was widely exported to Allied nations, including the United Kingdom, Free France, and Brazil, through Lend-Lease programs.
Post-war, the M8 was distributed to numerous countries and saw service in conflicts including the Korean War, the First Indochina War, and the Algerian War. France operated a large fleet before transferring vehicles to several former colonies in Africa and Asia. During the Vietnam War, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam utilized the M8 for rural patrols and road reconnaissance. The vehicle also saw service during the Congo Crisis with Belgian, Katangese, and United Nations forces. Several nations modernized their fleets with diesel engines, updated transmissions, or anti-tank missile launchers. As of 2024, the M8 remains in active service with several countries, including Madagascar.