Description
Technical Manual Reprint (TM 9-1240-309-34) for XM44, XM44E1, XM44E2, XM44E3, and XM44E4 Tank Periscopes March 1973
This Technical Manual Reprint TM 9-1240-309-34 covers direct support and general support maintenance for the XM44, XM44E1, XM44E2, XM44E3, and XM44E4 Tank Periscopes. The base publication is dated March 1973.
The cover identifies this copy as a reprint containing current pages from Changes 1 and 2. The manual also covers the listed battery, boresight, mounting, linkage, panel, plate, washer-pump, and reservoir equipment associated with the periscope installation.
Historical Significance
The XM44-series periscopes formed part of the gunner's sighting and observation equipment in the M551 Sheridan Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle. Within the M551 fire-control system, the periscope served as the gunner's primary night fire-control instrument while also providing direct daytime viewing.
The system combined a unity-power daylight view with a nine-power passive low-light optical channel. This gave the Sheridan gunner an integrated observation and aiming instrument for changing light conditions. TM 9-1240-309-34 preserves the Army's higher-level maintenance guidance for this specialized electro-optical equipment.
XM44-Series Periscopes in the M551 Sheridan
The XM44 family was installed as the gunner's periscope system in the M551 Sheridan. Its optical head could be elevated or depressed to change the field of view, while the body housed the daylight and passive low-light viewing systems and the projected aiming reticle. Associated mounts, linkage, electrical panels, battery equipment, and washer components supported installation, control, emergency power, alignment, and a clear viewing surface.
What This Manual Covers
TM 9-1240-309-34 is a direct support and general support maintenance manual for the five listed XM44-series tank periscopes and their associated equipment. Its scope is maintenance of the periscope system and supporting assemblies rather than operation of the complete M551 vehicle.
- XM44 Tank Periscope — NSN 1240-00-788-5463
- XM44E1 Tank Periscope — NSN 1240-00-933-5630
- XM44E2 Tank Periscope — NSN 1240-00-176-1031
- XM44E3 Tank Periscope — NSN 1240-00-167-0912
- XM44E4 Tank Periscope — NSN 1240-00-184-9897
- Storage battery — NSN 6140-00-948-1554
- Boresight aid assembly — NSN 1240-00-950-1605
- Battery mounting bracket — number 8589807
- Linkage assembly — NSN 1240-00-906-7940
- Mount assembly — NSN 1240-00-901-8134
- Panel assemblies — NSN 1240-00-915-5725 or 1240-00-181-5612
- Plate assembly — NSN 1240-00-916-5914
- Components of the washer pump and reservoir assembly
Key Features
- Publication: TM 9-1240-309-34
- Publication date: March 1973
- Publication type: Department of the Army technical manual reprint
- Maintenance levels: Direct support and general support
- Equipment: XM44, XM44E1, XM44E2, XM44E3, and XM44E4 Tank Periscopes
- End-item application: M551 Sheridan
- Update status: Includes current pages from Changes 1 and 2
Why This Manual Matters
This publication records the support-level maintenance requirements for a major part of the Sheridan's fire-control system. It is useful for identifying periscope variants, their assigned stock numbers, and the associated assemblies that supported installation and maintenance.
The incorporated change pages also make this reprint a valuable reference for collectors and researchers studying how Army maintenance publications were kept current during service.
About This Manual
The physical item is a Department of the Army reprint of TM 9-1240-309-34. The cover is dated March 1973 and states that the copy includes current pages from Changes 1 and 2.
Ideal For
This technical manual reprint is well suited for:
- M551 Sheridan vehicle and fire-control researchers
- Military electro-optical equipment specialists
- Technical-manual and armored-vehicle collectors
- Museum and restoration reference libraries
- Researchers documenting XM44-series periscope variants
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .5", Approx weight lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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