M551 Sheridan-derived IFVS?

[Trav]

I read in Osprey's excellent New Vanguard 153 - M551 Sheridan that, at Fort Bragg, they had a short-lived program to develop a "paratroop fighting vehicle" in the 80s - similar to the Russian/Soviet BMD series- based on a turretless Sheridan. Several prototypes were allegedly constructed, making use of a 25mm Bushmaster or a TOW launcher. Does anybody have any further information about this and images of these prototypes?

 

[TomS]

It's in Hunnicutt's Sheridan title.

 

[Fluff]

This one?

 

[Abingdon]

Here's one of the prototypes.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Like the M551 that it was derived from, it would have been usually deployed on the battlefield via airdrop or alternatively via LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System), see below for an image of a standard M551 being deployed from a C-130 during an exercise in the 1980s using that technique.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/ocwwb5

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/ocwwb5/m551_sheridan_entering_the_battlefield_in_style/

 

[Grey Havoc]

Another interesting variant retaining air insertion capability and seemingly intended for use with both airborne and non-airborne forces:

Mast-mounted Tank Breaker launcher on Sheridan chassis

 

[Pioneer]

View attachment 620247

This one?

My dear Fluff, I think this is a much earlier MICV derivative of the M551, as opposed to what Trav is in search of.
Saying this, I'd like to know more details of the MICV you've posted.

Regards
Pioneer

 

[Fluff]

View attachment 620247

This one?

My dear Fluff, I think this is a much earlier MICV derivative of the M551, as opposed to what Trav is in search of.
Saying this, I'd like to know more details of the MICV you've posted.

Regards
Pioneer

I think it must come from

Source:
Hunnicutt, R.P. (1995). Sheridan: A History of the American Light Tank. Navato CA: Presidio Press.