View source for M728 combat engineer vehicle

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
| image              = M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = A D7 [[mine plough]]–equipped M728 combat engineer vehicle (CEV) of the [[Singapore Army]]
| origin             = [[United States]]
| type               = [[Military engineering vehicle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1965–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|operators]]''
| wars               = [[Cold War]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Implementation Force|Bosnian Implementation Force]]<br />[[Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina|Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = US Army Engineer Research & Development Laboratories<ref name="digital.library.unt.edu">{{Cite web |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc16992/m2/1/high_res_d/BRAC-2005_03371.pdf |title=Base Visit Report - Anniston Army Depot |access-date=2018-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904011313/https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc16992/m2/1/high_res_d/BRAC-2005_03371.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-04 |url-status=live | website = unt.deu}}</ref>
| design_date        = 1963
| manufacturer       = [[Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)|Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant]], Warren, Michigan<br />[[Anniston Army Depot]], Alabama<ref name="digital.library.unt.edu"/> (final assembly)
| unit_cost          = '''M728''': US$297,900 (1974)<ref>{{cite web |title=Increasing Procurement Cost Of M60A1 Tanks |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/psad-76-153.pdf |website=gao.gov |date=6 August 1976}}</ref> ({{Inflation|US-GDP|297900|1974|fmt=eq}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}})
| production_date    = '''M728''': 1965–1972<br />'''M728A1''': 1982–1987
| number             = 312 (all variants)<ref name="mtc">{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/engineering/m728_cev.htm |title=M728 CEV Combat engineer vehicle |access-date=2018-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806031718if_/http://www.military-today.com/engineering/m728_cev.htm |archive-date=2018-08-06 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
| variants           = See [[#Variants|''variants'']]
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         = 
| weight             = '''M728''' Combat Loaded: {{Convert|52.2|ST|lk=on}}<br />'''M728A1''' Combat Loaded: {{Convert|53.2|ST|lk=on}}
| length             = Overall: {{Convert|8.83|m|ftin}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{Convert|3.66|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{Convert|3.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour             = '''Upper Hull Glacis'''<br />
'''M728''': {{convert|3.67|in|mm|abbr=on}} at 65°<br />{{convert|8.68|in|mm|abbr=on}} LoS<br />'''M728A1''': {{convert|4.29|in|mm|abbr=on}} at 65°<br />{{convert|10.15|in|mm|abbr=on}} LoS<br />
'''Turret Front'''<br />'''M728/M728A1''': equals {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=on}}<ref>''Jane's Tank Recognition Guide'', 1996, {{ISBN|0-00-470995-0}}</ref>
| primary_armament   = Main gun:<br />1× [[Royal Ordnance L9|165mm M135]] (30 rounds)
| secondary_armament = Coaxial machine gun:<br />1× [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62mm]] [[M240 machine gun]] (2,000 rounds)<br />Commander cupola M19:<br />1× [[.50 BMG|12.7mm]] [[M85 machine gun]] (600 rounds)
| engine             = [[Teledyne Continental Motors|Continental]] (now [[General Dynamics]]) [[Continental AV1790|AVDS-1790-2DR]] [[V12 engine|V12]], [[air-cooled]] [[twin-turbo]] [[diesel engine]]
| engine_power       = {{Convert|750|hp|lk=in}}
| pw_ratio           = 14.1 hp/t
| transmission       = CD-850-6A 2 speeds forward, 1 reverse
| payload_capacity   = A-frame crane boom: {{Convert|9.0|ST|lb|abbr=on}} hoisting/lifting capacity<br />Winch: {{Convert|11.0|ST|lb|abbr=on}} pulling capacity
| suspension         = [[Torsion bar suspension]]
| clearance          = {{Convert|463|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity      = {{Convert|1,457|L}}
| vehicle_range      = {{Convert|280|mi}}
| speed              = {{Convert|30|mph}}
}}

The '''M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle''' ('''CEV''') is a full-tracked vehicle used for breaching, obstacle removal, and pioneering operations. Production commenced in 1965 and ceased in 1987. A total of 312 of all variants of these armored engineer vehicles were produced.<ref name="mtc"/>

==Design==
[[File:Combat Engineer Vehicle, M728.jpg|thumb|left|Combat engineer vehicle T118E1]]

===Development and production===
Prototype development began in the late 1940s at [[Ft. Belvoir]], VA by the US Army Engineer Research & Development Laboratories in conjunction with Chrysler. These early T39 Demolition Tank prototypes were based on the [[M26 Pershing|M26]] using several different modified turrets, demolition guns and heavy mortars. The T118 prototypes used the [[T95 Medium Tank|T95]] hull beginning in 1960. Both prototypes went through extensive testing at the [[Aberdeen Proving Grounds]] through 1963 and final trials in 1964. The T118E1, with a modified [[M60 Patton|M60A1]] turret was then accepted into service as the M728 in 1965 and achieved operational capability in 1968.<ref>Tank Data, vol. 3. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: US Army Ordnance School, Jul 1968.</ref>  The turrets for the M728 were manufactured at Chrysler Corp.'s [[Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)|Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant]], Warren, Michigan.  Final assembly and mating to the vehicle hulls was performed at Anniston Army Depot in Alabama.<ref name="Hunnicutt 1984, pp. 439–443">[[#Hunnicutt 1984|Hunnicutt 1984]], pp. 439–443</ref>  Initial production of the M728 was from 1965 to 1972.  Many of the M782A1s were former M60A2 Patton tanks converted to M728A1s from 1982 to 1987. All M728A1s were converted and assembled at the [[Anniston Army Depot]] under contract with [[General Dynamics Land Systems]]<ref name="digital.library.unt.edu"/> with a total of 312 of all variants produced.<ref name="mtc"/><ref name="fas.org">{{Cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m728.htm |title=M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV) |access-date=2018-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721153744/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m728.htm |archive-date=2016-07-21 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Description===
The M728 is a full-tracked combat engineer vehicle designed to provide maximum ballistic protection for the crew. It is a heavily armed derivative of the M60 series tank modified to provide a mobile and maneuverable weapon for combat support of ground troops and vehicles. The M728 vehicle is used for breaching, obstacle removal, and pioneering operations. 
Although the M728 consists of a tank hull and a short-barreled turret, it is not a tank and should not be routinely used against enemy tanks. It is an excellent heavy assault support vehicle when used as part of a combined engineer-infantry team. The CEV is issued two per Engineer Company in the Heavy Division, two per Engineer Company in Corps (Mechanized), three per Engineer Company in Armor/Infantry Separate Brigades and three per Engineer Company in the Armored Cavalry Regiment. 

[[File:M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle woodland from right.jpg|thumb|left|The M728 CEV with an M9 dozer blade assembly and the A-frame crane boom deployed]]

It is usually equipped with either a hydraulically operated M9 dozer blade assembly or a D7 [[mine plough]]. The M9 dozer blade Assembly is used for clearing the way, filling depressions, leveling ground and for other purposes. The D7 mine plough is a V-shaped plough that performs countermine activities by lifting surface laid mines and pushing them to the side as the vehicle moves forward. They are controlled by the driver.
A winch and retractable A-frame crane are mounted on the turret for lifting, carrying and winching operations. The hull front contains the driver's compartment, controls and instruments. The hull rear contains the engine, transmission, fuel tanks, and related automotive components. The turret has positions for the commander, gunner, and loader.<ref name="fas.org"/> The vehicle is also equipped with an [[Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear|NBC protection system]] for the crew.
It can produce a limited smokescreen by dumping raw diesel fuel into the exhaust system to visually obscure the area around the vehicle as well as provide a limited vehicle recovery capability.<ref name="inetres.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/eng/M728.html |title=M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle |access-date=2018-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923201403/http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/eng/M728.html |archive-date=2018-09-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Armament===
The vehicle is armed with a [[Royal Ordnance L9|165mm M135]] short-barreled demolition gun with 30 rounds of [[High-explosive squash head|HEP]] (high explosive, plastic) ammunition. The M135 is a license-built copy of the [[Royal Ordnance L9|165 mm L9A1]] gun that was used on the [[British Army]]'s [[Centurion tank#UK specialist variants|FV4003 Centurion Mk.5 AVRE]] ([[Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers]]) tank. Depending on the usage, the gun can be depressed and elevated against targets up to an effective range of {{Convert|925|m|yd}}. The gun's primary purpose is for clearing defensive fixtures and obstacles, such as walls, fences, roadblocks and bunkers, or for destroying buildings and is generally not meant to be for use in [[Anti-personnel weapon|anti-personnel]] or [[anti-tank warfare]]. The pushing and heaving effects caused by the HEP round's base detonating fuze and large amount of explosive can demolish barriers and knock down walls. One round creates a 1-foot (0.3 m) diameter hole in a 7-inch (178&nbsp;mm) thick reinforced concrete wall. The round's effects against bunkers and field fortifications are dramatic, often crushing or smashing entire walls. The gun fires two types of fixed ammunition, the M123E1 HEP Round and the M623 Target Practice Round.  The main gun has a [[Weapon mount#Coaxial|coaxial]] [[7.62×51mm NATO]] [[M240 machine gun|M240E1 machine gun]], with 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In addition, a [[.50 BMG|.50 caliber]] [[M85 machine gun]] is mounted in the [[Weapon mount#Turret|commander's cupola]]; this has 600 rounds of ammunition.

==Service history==

===United States===
It was first deployed in 1968 during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>Decker, Oscar C. "The Patton Tanks: The Cold War Learning Series." Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces. Eds. George F. Hofmann, Donn A. Starry. USA: University Press of Kentucky, 1999</ref> The M728 was used in fire support, base security, counter ambush fire, direct assault of fortified positions, and limited [[reconnaissance by fire]].<ref name="inetres.com"/>  They were also deployed at this time to [[West Germany]] during the [[Cold War]] to support combat engineer operations and participated in annual [[Exercise Reforger|Reforger exercises]] until 1991.

During mine-clearing operations in the [[Gulf War]], the M1 MCRS was found to be cumbersome, heavy and hard to transport. In addition, since they were originally designed for the firmer soil conditions of Europe, its rollers were unsuitable for the softer soil of the desert. Instead of rolling, they often merely skidded, pushing soil in front of them until they bogged down.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/mcrs.htm|title=Mine Clearing Roller System (MCRS)|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> A mine clearing-rake was specially designed and fabricated for the CEV in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The full-width rake allows the CEV to clear minefields in non-cohesive, granular soils such as sand. The mine-clearing rake is a V-shaped tined plough that performs countermine activities by lifting buried mines with its tines and pushing them to the side as the vehicle moves forward. Attached to any M728 CEV's D7 mine plough or M60 series tank via a M9 dozer blade assembly, the mine-clearing rake also uses an aluminum skid shoe which protrudes from the front of the tines and allows the rake to maintain a consistent plowing depth. It clears a path {{convert|180|in|abbr=on}} wide, accommodating heavy tanks and other armored vehicles. It weighs {{convert|4000|lb|abbr=on}} and is easily assembled and installed.<ref name="globalsecurity.org">{{Cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m728.htm |title=M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV) |access-date=2018-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012316/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m728.htm |archive-date=2018-09-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:M728A1 with Mine Rake.jpg|thumb|left|M728A1s of 72nd Engineering Company, 24th Infantry Division, inspecting a mine-clearing rake, Operation Desert Storm 18-FEB-1991]]

They were active during the Desert Shield phase of the Gulf War in clearing suspected minefields and in creating temporary defensive fighting positions and staging areas in the deserts near the Iraqi Saudi border. The M728A1s of the [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th Infantry Division]] and [[XVIII Airborne Corps|US XVIII Airborne Corps]] breached the openings for the "left hook" flanking of Iraqi forces during the Desert Storm phase of the war, but they were left behind once they began the pursuit and exploitation phase of the operation.<ref>Foss, Chris. Modern Tanks. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995</ref> A CEV of the 6th Battalion, 6th Regiment, [[1st Armored Division (United States)|1st Armored Division]], fired 21 M123E1 rounds into the stubbornly defended town of [[Battle of Al Busayyah|Al Busayyah]]: "That totally destroyed all the resistance in the town," according to the battalion commander.{{Cn|date=May 2023}} After the cease-fire, CEV guns were used to break up [[Petroleum coke|coke piles]] that had formed around approximately 20% of the [[Kuwaiti oil fires|burning oil wells in Kuwait]]. According to the US Army, the guns reduced the time to break up coke formation from as long as two days to 15 minutes. Commanders were unanimous in their opinion that the engineer force needed an M1 chassis based vehicle for heavy breaching and gap crossing equipment to fully support the [[M1 Abrams]] tank and [[M2 Bradley]] infantry fighting vehicles.<ref name="globalsecurity.org"/>

Three M728CEVs were temporally acquired for use by the [[United States Department of Justice]]'s [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives|ATF]] SWAT teams to conduct Operation Showtime during the 1993 [[Waco siege|Siege of the Branch Davidian Complex near Waco, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.carolmoore.net/waco/waco-fire.html |title=Fire Investigator's Civil Suit Affidavit On Origin Of April 19, 1993 Fire At Mount Carmel |access-date=February 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905222544/http://carolmoore.net/waco/waco-fire.html |archive-date=September 5, 2005 |url-status=live }}</ref>  They were provided to the ATF by Task Force Six of the [[Texas Army National Guard]] from [[Ft. Hood]].  They were used to destroy perimeter fences and structures and to crush automobiles to prevent escape from the compound.

[[File:M60-panther-mcgovern-base.jpg|thumb|An M60 Panther MCDV armored mine-clearing vehicle prepares to lead a convoy down a road in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], 16 May 1996. Note the M728 in the background.]]

US Army M728A1s were deployed in support of the United Nations' Resolution, [[NATO]] led [[Implementation Force]] (IFOR) peacekeeping force in the former Yugoslavia in December 1995.  Their initial mission was to assist in protecting and demining the international airport at [[Sarajevo]]. By September 1996 their mission had expanded to include road clearance, bunker demolition and protecting humanitarian aid and assist relief delivery in the whole of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], as well as to help protect civilian refugees when required by the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]].<ref name="mtc"/><ref>https://www.revolver.com/page/Bosnian-War {{Dead link|date=March 2024|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Task Force Eagle assumed control of its area of responsibility during a ceremony with [[United Nations]] forces at Eagle Base in Tuzla on December 20 consisting of elements of the [[1st Armored Division (United States)|1st Armored Division]] and its supporting elements from the [[V Corps (United States)|U.S. V Corps]] and were joined by forces from twelve other nations.<ref name="Archived copy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.militaryvetshop.com/History/1stArmorDivision.html |title=History of the 1st Armored Division &#124; Old Ironsides |access-date=2019-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929221757/http://www.militaryvetshop.com/History/1stArmorDivision.html |archive-date=2018-09-29 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the campaign in Bosnia, at least three [[M60 Patton#Specialized|M60 Panther MCDV]]s were used in conjunction with the M728.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/us-modern-m60a3-panther-m1-panther-ii-mdcvs/ |title=M60A3 Panther & M1 Panther II MDCVS - Tanks Encyclopedia |date=18 October 2018 |access-date=2019-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023223957/http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/us-modern-m60a3-panther-m1-panther-ii-mdcvs/ |archive-date=2018-10-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Panther would lead the convoy followed by the M728. The Panther operator would control the vehicle from the M728 via a remote control system during road clearing operations. There was a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera system attached to the front of the Panther so the remote-operator could see where the tank was going through a screen on the remote control unit. The radio control signal was received by a long antenna protruding from the engine deck. The M728 also provided a good secondary clearing action by use of its bulldozer blade as it followed the Panther. It would skim the trail cleared by the Panther pushing away debris and keeping the route clear for other following vehicles, also smoothing out the road surface and could be used for filling in craters left by any exploding mines or ordnance. The CEV was also useful for quickly recovering the Panther should it become stuck, and its crane allowed easy loading and unloading of the mine roller onto transport vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.riley.army.mil/ |title=Fort Riley, Kansas - Home of the 1st Infantry Division, "Big Red One" |access-date=2019-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126211505/http://www.riley.army.mil/ |archive-date=2019-01-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 1st Armored Division was relieved by the 1st Infantry Division and returned to Germany in November 1996.<ref name="Archived copy"/>

The M728 has been determined by the [[US Army]] to be inadequate to fully support the M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley, also cited were the rising costs to maintain and difficulty in acquiring parts for a low density piece of equipment and was retired from combat use with no clear replacement in 2000. In the late 1990s, the Army decided it could not afford to continue developing complicated, maintenance-heavy vehicles for this purpose. The M1 Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle (CMV) was canceled in 2001, and the prototype developed never went into full production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/engineering/grizzly.htm|title=Grizzly - Minefield breaching vehicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005094315if_/http://www.military-today.com/engineering/grizzly.htm|archive-date=2022-10-05|url-status=usurped}}</ref>[[File:M1 Grizzly 2.jpg|thumb|M1Grizzly Combat Mobility Vehicle (CMV)]] The [[US Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] however persisted and funded its own development and testing of the [[M1150 assault breacher vehicle]].  As of 2009 it is still used by the [[Army National Guard]] and [[US Army Reserve]]. In 2018 the US Army began to phase out the M728 from service with the Army Reserves and National Guard replacing them with the M1150<ref name="asc.army.mil">{{Cite web |url=https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-assault-breacher-vehicle-abv/ |title=Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) - USAASC |access-date=2019-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411174643/https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-assault-breacher-vehicle-abv/ |archive-date=2019-04-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> and is to be completely withdrawn from US service by 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamb |first=Christopher J. |title=The Bosnian Train and Equip Program: A Lesson in Interagency Integration of Hard and Soft Power |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a617181.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406130425/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a617181.pdf |archive-date=2019-04-06 |access-date=2019-04-11 |website=apps.dtic.mil}}</ref>

===Other users===

The eight M728s formerly in service with the [[Singapore Army]] were retired in 2016, having been replaced by the [[Leopard 2]]-based [[AEV 3 Kodiak]] armoured engineer vehicle (AEV).<ref name="armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade">{{Cite web |title=Arms trade |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/ |website=armstrade.sipri.org}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024}}</ref>

The Spanish Army began the ''Programa Coraza'' – 2000 ("Program Armor – 2000") in March 1995.
One of its goals was the development of a new combat engineer vehicle, the CZ-10/25E ''Alacran'',  based on the M60A1 hull and converted from former M60A3 Patton MBTs with upgrades to the engine. It has an external appearance similar to the M728 CEV, but without the 165 mm demolition gun, being replaced by a special backhoe. It also has a front-mounted dozer blade and is armed with a machine gun. An initial batch of 38 vehicles have been produced in close liaison with engineers at the Army Logistics Command.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spain’s Armor Force Modernizes |url=http://ciar.org/ttk/mbt/armor/armor-magazine/armor-mag.1998.ma/2spain2000.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181616/http://ciar.org/ttk/mbt/armor/armor-magazine/armor-mag.1998.ma/2spain2000.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-17 |access-date=2018-09-17 |website=ciar.org}}</ref>

[[Portugal]] retired its M728CEVs in 2013.

As of 2015 they continue in service with the armies of a few other countries including [[Morocco]] and [[Saudi Arabia]].

==Variants==
[[File:T118 CEV Prototype pilot 2.jpg|thumb|T118 CEV Prototype pilot #2 circa 1962]] 
* '''T118E1''' – prototype for the M728 based on the [[T95 medium tank|T95]] hull
* '''M728''' – version mated to the M60 hull
* '''M728A1''' – version mated to the M60A1 RISE hull
* '''M60 CZ-10/25E Alacran''' – Spanish Army variant converted from upgraded M60A1 hulls<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://world-defense.com/threads/engineering-vehicles.2122 |title=Engineering Vehicles |date=14 May 2015 |access-date=2018-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193755/https://world-defense.com/threads/engineering-vehicles.2122/ |archive-date=2018-09-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Additional equipment
* '''[[List of U.S. military vehicles by model number#Tankdozer kits|M9 bulldozer kit]]''' for the M60 series (SNL G306)  The M9 bulldozer installed on the M728 will increase the vehicle's weight by 4.45 tons (4.04 metric tons). It is controlled by the driver.
*'''[[M58 mine-clearing line charge]] (MICLIC)''' : The system consists of the launcher mounted on a M200A1 tracked trailer, an M147 firing kit, an M58A4 line charge and a 5-inch (127 mm) Mk22 Mod 4 rocket.<ref>{{cite book|title=TM 43-0001-38 Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Demolition Materials|url=https://archive.org/details/tm-43-0001-38-demolition-materials/page/n198|year=1992|publisher=Headquarters, Department of the Army|pages=4–45–4–47}}</ref> The line charge is 350 feet (107 meters) long and contains 5 pounds (2.27&nbsp;kg) per linear foot of [[C-4 (explosive)|C-4]] explosive. In the event a MICLIC fails to detonate normally, it can be manually activated by time-delay fuses every few feet along the length of it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoellwarth |first=John |date=9 June 2007 |title=ABV to protect combat engineers |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/06/marine_engineer_vehicle_070609/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201020337/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/06/marine_engineer_vehicle_070609 |archive-date=1 December 2011 |website=[[Marine Corps Times]]}}</ref> The MICLIC can provide a rapidly emplaced lane through mine and wire obstacles up to 14 meters wide and 100 meters deep. Mines containing magnetic or other non-pressure-sensitive fuses may escape destruction from the blast overpressure, but will usually be uncovered and blown to the side out of the lane.  Armored vehicles avoid mines by keeping the left track in the cleared centerline. Cleared lanes should also be proofed with plows or rollers when available.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
* '''M1 mine-clearing roller system (MCRS)''':  Installed on the front of the tank through a removable adapter, it provides the capability for neutralization of anti-tank (AT) land mines, which are buried or laid on the surface, in the track path of the vehicle. The MCRS consists of two roller banks with two push-arm assemblies. Each roller bank has four rollers, which apply ground pressure higher than that exerted by the tank. This principle ensures the explosion of pressure fused anti tank mines, which would otherwise explode under the track itself. Additionally an anti-magnetic mine activating device (AMMAD) is connected between the two roller banks. The system weighs 10 short tons (9.07 metric tons).<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
*'''D7 surface mine plow (SMP)''': A track-width plow designed to skim the surface of a flat roadway or trail, not to defeat buried mines. It is controlled by the driver.
*'''Track-width mine plow (TWMP)''': Uses a raking action to clear a safe path by bringing concealed or buried mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to the surface and moving them wide and clear of the vehicle. It can be fitted with a AMMAD to counter magnetic influence fused mines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full Width Mine Plough (FWMP) |url=https://www.army-technology.com/products/full-width-mine-plough/ |website=army-technology.com}}</ref>
*'''Full Width Mine Rake (FWMR)''' : A rake assembly for unearthing and disposing of buried and surface laid mines in sand and loose earth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2590-01-331-1939, Mine Clearing Rake |url=https://www.nsnlookup.com/fsg-25/fsc-2590/us/2590-01-331-1939-rake-mine-clearing-2590013311939-013311939-13229e9200 |website=nsnlookup.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US5198608A - Mine clearing rake |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US5198608A/en |website=[[Google Patents]]}}</ref> Specifically designed for use in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

==Operators==
<!-- Note: Most, if not all, of the figures cited below was obtained from [http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php]. Please provide your source other than the aforementioned URL or else it will simply be removed per [[WP:No original research]]. -->
* {{OMN}} – three in service with the [[Royal Army of Oman]]<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI arms transfer database|publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]|access-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073842/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|archive-date=13 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{MAR}} – six in service with the [[Royal Moroccan Army]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dsca.mil/programs/eda/results.asp?CtryName=MOROCCO&FY=2005&IANAME=&TRANSTYPE=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730052102/http://www.dsca.mil/programs/eda/results.asp?CtryName=MOROCCO&FY=2005&IANAME=&TRANSTYPE=|url-status=dead|title=Combat Engineer Vehicle 6 M728 Authorized to Supply|date=21 June 2005|archive-date=July 30, 2013}}</ref> are still in service as of 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco |url=https://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Morocco20160103.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626000558/http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Morocco20160103.pdf |archive-date=2017-06-26 |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=inss.org.il}}</ref>
* {{SAU}} – 15 in service with the [[Saudi Arabian Army]]<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{ESP}} – 38 M60CZ-10/25E Alacran<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2015 |title=Engineering Vehicles |url=https://world-defense.com/threads/engineering-vehicles.2122/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193755/https://world-defense.com/threads/engineering-vehicles.2122/ |archive-date=2018-09-18 |access-date=2018-09-18 |website=world-defense.com}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=June 2023}}
* {{USA}} – Retired from combat use 2000, 262 are relegated to the [[Army National Guard]] and [[US Army Reserve]] (as of 2007)<ref>{{cite web |author=D |first=Joe |last2=Lewis |first2=Jeff |date=5 August 2007 |title=M60 Spotters Guide |url=http://www.com-central.net/index.php?name=Downloads&get=306 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921225835/http://www.com-central.net/index.php?name=Downloads&get=306 |archive-date=2018-09-21}}</ref> Phased replacement with the [[M1150 assault breacher vehicle]] starting in 2018.<ref name="asc.army.mil"/>

===Former operators===

* {{PRT}} – three were in service with the [[Portuguese Army]] (retired in 2013)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carro Combate Engenharia M728 Lagarta m/1999 |url=https://viaturasmilitaresportuguesas.blogspot.com/2018/08/m728-1999-activo.html |access-date=2020-07-24 |website=viaturasmilitaresportuguesas.blogspot.com |date=20 August 2018 |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
* {{SGP}} – 8 formerly in service with the [[Singapore Army]] (and most likely stored in reserve) as of 2016<ref name="armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==See also==
*[[M60 tank]]
*[[List of U.S. military vehicles by model number]]
*[[G-numbers]] (SNL G303)

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m728.htm Global Security's website on the M728 CEV]
*[http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/cevm728.html AFV database]

{{Tanks converted to armored vehicles}}

[[Category:Military engineering vehicles of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War armored fighting vehicles of the United States]]
[[Category:General Dynamics land vehicles]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Mine warfare countermeasures]]