The M56 was a lightly (to the point of not being) armored fight vehicle with the primary role being Airborne Anti-Tank Support for Airborne Units. Weighing in at only 6.4 Tonnes with full combat load and crew ot is one of the lightest AFVs made by the US. Armed with a M54 90mm Gun and able to fire HEAT-FS, APCBC, and APCR it could pack quite a punch for its size and weight. The ower of the gun and low weight of the vehicle would make the M56 jump when it fired and was recommended that the crew dismount before firing. Another oddity of the vehicle is the use of pneumatic tires.