Today in WW II: 14 Sep 1939 German troops enter Gdynia, west of Danzig, capturing Poland's only seaport.  More ↓
14 Sep 1942 Battle of Edson's Ridge: Japanese assault US Marines' perimeter line of Henderson Field Guadalcanal, a Japanese defeat with heavy losses [12-14 Sep].
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

US Marine Corps Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) Mk-48 Front Power Unit (FPU)

The Mk-48 Front Power Unit is an all-metal, fully enclosed, diesel powered, automatic transmission, 4x4 tactical truck that provides all automotive and hydraulic power for the LVS combinations. The MK48's low-profile,cab-forward configuration permits loading aboard military aircraft with no preparation. The front power unit and rear body units are joined by a hydraulically powered articulated joint that assists in steering the vehicle and allows a degree of independent movement between the front and rear units for more mobility. The articulated joint transfers automotive power to the RBU axles and hydraulic power for any hydraulically operated equipment. The completed units form an integral, dual body, fully articulated,8x8 vehicle with cross-country mobility. The MK-48A1 variant has minor improvements to the design.

The full nomenclature of the Mk48 FPU is Power Unit, Front, 12-1/2 Ton, 4x4, MK48, MOD O, NSN 2320-01-177-5167.

Tabulated data for the LVS Mk-48 Front Power Unit:

Length 238.5 in
Width 96 in
Height 102 in
Square 159 sq ft
Cube 1,917 cu ft
Curb weight 25,300 lbs
Wheel base 60 in
Ground clearance 23 in
Fording depth 60 in w/o prep
Engine 445@2,100rpm V8, liquid cooled, compression ignition, turbocharged diesel
Transmission 4 speed, automatic w/2 spd manual transfer case
Range 450 mi hwy (150 gal fuel tank, 16.6 gal/hr)
Electrical 24 v, neg gd, 65 amps
Brakes Air

Source: Marine Corps publication TM 11240-15/4B, August 1994.

LVS Mk48/14 offloading during Operation Desert Shield, 13 December 1990
LVS Mk48/14 offloading during Operation Desert Shield, 13 December 1990.

MK-48 LVS Front Power Unit with Mk-14 Container Hauler trailer, Camp Lejeune, NC, 1 May 1992
MK-48 LVS Front Power Unit with Mk-14 Container Hauler trailer, Camp Lejeune, NC, 1 May 1992.

MK-48 LVS Front Power Unit with Mk-17 Cargo trailer offloading from maritime pre-positioning ship PFC. Eugene A. Obregon (T-AK-3005) during exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988
MK-48 LVS Front Power Unit with Mk-17 Cargo trailer offloading from maritime pre-positioning ship PFC. Eugene A. Obregon (T-AK-3005) during exercise Ocean Venture '88, NAS, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 30 March 1988.

With a row of MK48 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) trucks as background, General Michael W. Hagee, (left), Commandant of the Marine Corps, is briefed by a Major during his visit to the 9th Material Readiness Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, 17 April 2003
With a row of MK48 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) trucks as background, General Michael W. Hagee, (left), Commandant of the Marine Corps, is briefed by a Major during his visit to the 9th Material Readiness Battalion, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, 17 April 2003.

MK48 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) FPU, Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA, 23 June 1997
MK-48 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) FPU, Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA, 23 June 1997.

Mk48 LVS with Mk-18A1 Ribbon Bridge/Container Hauler trailer unit carries the 400-gallon Expeditionary Refueling System from an Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (LCAC), Dogu Beach, Pohang, South Korea, 30 October 2000
USMC 9th Engineer Support Battalion Mk48 LVS with Mk-18A1 Ribbon Bridge/Container Hauler trailer unit carries the 400-gallon Expeditionary Refueling System from an Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (LCAC), Dogu Beach, Pohang, South Korea, 30 October 2000.