An ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle) is a vehicle used to recover battle damaged or broken down vehicles during combat in order to complete more extensive repairs behind the frontlines. The first true ARVs came into being during World War Two and saw service with most nations during the conflict, the United States being no exception.

With the common practice to covert either an obsolete design or adapt a current tank chassis into an ARV, the American answer was to convert the standard M4 Sherman to fulfill the armored recovery role.

The standard turret was replaced with a fix version and a winch capable of moving 60,000lb was fitted in the fighting compartment. An A-frame jib along with extra tow hooks and various other types of recovery equipment was also added to further assist in vehicle recovery.