The U.S. Army has decided to halt the development of a new version of the M88 Hercules recovery vehicle, opting instead to enhance the existing model, according to a statement provided to Defense News by the Army.
Cancellation of the M88A3 Variant
“The Army has chosen not to proceed with the M88A3 combat recovery system due to budget concerns, and will focus on enhancing the readiness and reliability of the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES),” an Army spokesperson stated on Friday.
The decision to discontinue the M88A3 project was finalized in March 2025, with BAE Systems named as the primary contractor.
Exploring Alternatives
“Since April 2025, the Army has been investigating other subsystem enhancements and vehicle-level overhaul projects that could be implemented on the M88A2, as an alternative to acquiring new M88A3 vehicles, following concerns regarding cost-effectiveness,” the statement continued.
The Army is currently determining a formal strategy, but the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems is planning to begin a service life extension program for the M88 in fiscal year 2026.
“This strategy will enable the Army to fully focus on the readiness and reliability improvements of the M88A2,” added the spokesperson.
Recent Incident and Operational Needs
Four U.S. Army soldiers lost their lives when their M88A2 vehicle was submerged in a deep peat bog in Lithuania during a training exercise in March.
The M88A3 was initially intended to address a capability gap in recovering 80-ton vehicles, with enhancements to the powerpack, suspension, hoist, and winch, as outlined in a Defense Department report from the chief weapons tester for fiscal year 2024.
The A3 variant was designed to eliminate the necessity of using two vehicles to lift and move some of the newer, heavier Abrams tanks. The current M88A2 model has been unable to recover modern Abrams tanks alone, requiring the use of two vehicles, which has resulted in higher costs and more complex logistical challenges during operations.
Original Plans and Performance Evaluation
The original plan was to conduct a full operational test and evaluation in fiscal year 27 and to equip the first unit by the beginning of fiscal year 28.
The performance of the M88A3, as per the DOD weapons test report, remains unclear. The report, released earlier this year, notes that data from soldier touchpoint events and live fire testing was still being analyzed at that time.
Industry Reaction
BAE Systems and its supply chain partners “invested significant effort in designing a vehicle that performed well in tests and received positive feedback from soldier touchpoints. We remain dedicated to producing unmatched ground combat vehicles that are modern and battle-ready,” a company spokesperson mentioned in a Monday statement to Defense News.
“Although we are disappointed with the decision not to proceed with the M88A3 Single-Vehicle Recovery capability, we understand the customer’s decision in light of the department’s budgetary constraints,” the spokesperson added. “We continue to work closely with the U.S. Army and are confident that the M88 franchise will remain the recovery vehicle of choice.”
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
