The US M1117 aka ASV 150 Armoured Security Vehicle is a modern derivative of The Cadillac Gage Commando 4×4 amphibious armoured car that was built by the American firm Cadillac Gage. The vehicle has been outfitted for many roles, including armoured personnel carrier, ambulance, fire apparatus, anti-tank vehicle, and mortar carrier. They saw service in the Vietnam war where it became known as the Duck, or the V. It was also supplied to many US allies, including Lebanon and Saudi Arabia which used them in the first major ground engagement of the 1991 Gulf War.
No longer produced, its modern derivative is the M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle which was developed as tougher alternative to up-armoured Humvee’s. The M1117 Guardian Armoured Security Vehicle, aka ASV is an internal security vehicle manufactured by Cadillac Gage of Textron for use by the U.S. Army’s Military Police Corps.
Firepower
Its armament consists of an Mk 19 grenade launcher and M2 Browning Machine Gun, mounted in a turret similar to that used on the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Assault Vehicle; and a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon mounted outside the gunner’s hatch.
Armour
The ASV uses an advanced modular expandable armour package from German firm IBD (who supply the armour for many vehicles including the Leopard 2 MBT), consisting of ceramic composite appliqué on the exterior and spalled liners on the interior. Angled armor is more resistant to attack than vertical armor due to the V-shape hulls deflecting explosive forces (due to their shape), as opposed to a single-plane hull which takes the entire force impact.
Mobility
Engine 260 hp Cummins 6CTA8.3
Suspension 4×4 wheeled, fully independent
Operational range 440 miles
Top road speed 40 mph
Service History
They were field tested by MP units in Kosovo mostly by members of the 709th MP Battalion, however their price tag proved far larger than that of the Humvee’s. When the Iraq War began in 2003, only 49 of the ASV’s were in service, with almost all of them being assigned to MP Units. The first MP unit to officially have them in a combat zone was the 527th MP Company and other elements of the 720th MP Battalion.
As of mid-2007, 1729 M1117 were delivered or under contract with many being dispersed not just to MP’s but numerous other military units to include the Iraqi National Police.
MRAP Program
A variant was to be evaluated by the US Marine Corps as part of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program. As of May 18, 2007, After their vehicle submission failed ballistics testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Textron received word that they would not receive further orders as part of the MRAP program.
However in early 2008, Textron was awarded a contract to build 329 ASV’s worth $228 million. They will be delivered with the latest fragmentation protection kits. The total number of ASV’s produced or remaining to be delivered to the U.S. Army is at 2,058 vehicles at that time.
Operators
Bulgaria – 7 (6 with the troops in Afghanistan), more to be delivered. General Defence Staff of Bulgaria has put a requirement for additional 30 units to the Parliament.
Colombia – 39 Used by the Army, it is expected the acquisition of a batch of the same amount. These vehicles are the Infantry Carrier Vehicle version, purchased to supplement Colombia’s recently acquired fleet of BTR-80’s.
Iraq – 184 used by Iraqi National Police units. 80 more to be delivered.
United States – 1836 vehicles primarily used by U.S. Military Police Units and Convoy Security Units in Iraq.