Okay, I was sure this question was answered but after much searching I've come up short. I was doing some research on M113 series for a 1/72 kit I'm working on. I found photos of M113s in Panama during Operation JUST CAUSE and noticed many with a stripe running the length of the body. It appears to be a tape of some sort since of of the better quality photos show what appears to be three overlapping lengths of "tape". Could this have been some sort of velcro and what would it have been used for? As I did some more research I noticed with was fairly common on M113s during the mid to late 1980s. It us under the camo, but definitely has some sort of texture to it.

It was velcro for the Miles Simulation gear sensors and was fitted to a wide range of Armour and AFB's in US service during that period.
Cheers
Al

I would bet it is velcro for MILES gear as seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72646284@N00/174515797/

and here

This photo shows a track with 3 rows of the velcro backing for MILES attachment.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnrohan/839393753/sizes/m/in/photostream/

It's still relatively common into the 2000's. As stated, it's just velcro tape that comes in large rolls with a sticky side. It doesn't stay on too well with all the dirt, dust, rain and high pressure wash rack hoses. Here is a photo I took where it has come off.

A million thanks to all. I knew I would go "duh" when I found out what it was. It was just so prominent on some but none existent on others. I also didn't realize the MILES gear required so much coverage, but it makes sense.

You really want to make sure the MILES gear stays on. The crew signs for it and is responsible for its safe and complete return. It is often tied to the antenna guards with commo wire just to make sure if it gets knocked off the velcro that it still stays attached to the vehicle. No one wants to pay for that junk if it gets lost.