Description

The M561 Gama Goat was seven years in development until production of the
vehicle began in 1968. Its unique name was derived from the creator of its
articulated joint, Roger Gamaunt, and its mountain goat-like climbing ability.
It was unlike most other military off-road vehicles in that power could go to
all 6 wheels of the vehicle, and its aforementioned articulated joint allowed
80 pitch and 60 roll ranges of the carrier module at the rear. Its excellent
rough-terrain mobility was tempered somewhat by problems with tricky handling
and maintenance, as well as it being rather noisy, but the Gama Goat continued
in service until it was effectively replaced by the HMMWV in the late 1980s.