Available to NATO forces, the M8 Armored Gun System is the only NATO cavalry tank prototype available in Wargame: European Escalation, which requires the M551A1 Sheridan before having the access to unlocking.
History
In the 1980s, the United States Army began looking for a replacement for their M551 Sheridan tanks. Several attempts over the years to update or replace them had proved unsuccessful. The Armored Gun System (AGS) competition was initiated and in 1992 FMC/United Defense's vehicle was selected.
A total of six prototypes were eventually built for the US Army under the designation of the XM8 AGS. The M8 was later type-classified by the US Army in late 1995 and initially slated for production in 1996. However, the tank was never entered service as project cancelled and its role was eventually taken by the Stryker. United Defense has reportedly been seeking overseas customers, so far without success.
The M8 is armed with the M35 105mm as main gun with a 7.62mm M240 mounted co-axially (in-game used a top-mounted M2 Browning as MMG). The M35 has a rate of fire of approximately 12 rounds per minute, with a ready capacity of 21 rounds with 9 more in stowage. Power is provided by a Detroit Diesel 6V-92TIA diesel developing 580 hp.
Overview and tactics
Red Dragon (AirLand Battle would be similar)
M8 AGS is a typical glass cannon. Its armament is good: the AP Power of 17 is affordable for 55 points, and the XM-35 has a very high Accuracy and Stabilizer (equal with M1A1 Abrams), with an RPM of amazing 13.
However, a Front Armor of 3 represents that any weapon with an AP Power greater than or equal to 8 (e.g. T-34/85) can easily kill M8 AGS, while a Top Armor of 1 cannot withstand howitzer shells. Therefore, any positional warfare acts are clearly courting death.
Overall, M8 AGS needs to fully utilize its 60% Stabilizer to defeat opponents with the same or even higher costs in mobile warfare. However, considering that being hit once would be the end, ambush may be the better choice.
Weapons
European Escalation
| Weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | HMG | No Weapon |
| Name | XM-35 | M2 Browning | |
| Caliber | 105mm | 12.7mm | |
| Ammo | x 20 | x 300 | |
| Range | Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 8 | 3 | |
| AP Power | 7 | 0 | |
| HE Power | 3 | 1 | |
| Rate of fire | 12 r/min | 500 r/min |
AirLand Battle
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | MMG | No Weapon |
| Name | XM-35 | M2 Browning | |
| Caliber | 105mm [KE] [AoE] | 12.7mm | |
| Ammo | x 20 | x 300 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 9 | 3 | |
| AP Power | 6 | N/A | |
| HE Power | 3 | .75 | |
| Suppression | 121 | 90 | |
| Rate of fire | 15 r/min | 500 r/min |
Red Dragon
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | MMG | No Weapon |
| Name | XM-35 | M2 Browning | |
| Caliber | [KE] [AoE] 105mm |
12.7mm | |
| Ammo | x 30 | x 300 | |
| Range | Ground = 2275 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 65% | 15% | |
| Stabilizer | 60% | 5% | |
| AP Power | 17 | N/A | |
| HE Power | 3 | 0.75 | |
| Suppression | 121 | 90 | |
| Rate of fire | 13 r/min | 652 r/min |
Gallery
