M1117 Armored Security Vehicle

The M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle, or ASV, is an all-wheel drive armored vehicle manufactured by Cadillac Gage of Textron for use by the United States Army Military Police Corps. Its armament consists of a 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. The vehicle has become very popular with U.S. Military Police Units and Convoy Security Units in Iraq. It is a more heavily protected and heavily armed alternative to the armored HMMWV which was not originally designed to be a protected fighting vehicle.

History
By the 1980s, American military doctrine emphasized two distinct types of equipment. Heavily armored tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were for front line combat, and unarmored utility vehicles would be used for transport behind the lines. In 1993, the Pentagon had refused to send armored vehicles so the force had to fight through Mogadishu in unarmored Humvees. This led to the development of armoured HMMWVs. Many generals doubted the benefits, but the Military Police Corps, tasked with patrolling the "safe" rear area behind the battle line insisted that the Army to fund a slow but steady production of the bullet resistant M1114 armored Humvee.

In 1999, the Army began buying a limited number of M1117's (originally the ASV-150) for the Military Police Corps. This purpose-built ASV was derived from Cadillac Gage's previous Commando family of AFV's which was used in Vietnam, by allies and for base security. The ASV 150 is a much improved version the earlier Cadillac Gage 100/150, with improved armor protection and better manoeuvrability due to the use of Timoney's independent suspension system.

The ASV uses an advanced modular expandable armor from IBD, consisting of ceramic composite applique on the exterior and spall liner on the interior. At $700,000 each, the M1117 was more expensive than the $140,000 price for an armored Humvee. The program was canceled in 2002 because of budget priorities. The Army believed that existing vehicles could be used without an "unacceptable level of risk." When the Iraq war began in 2003, the U.S. Army only had 49 of the ASVs. However, the onset of events in Iraq have given a new lease on life for this program as HMMWVs have proven vulnerable to attacks and a large source of casualties. Uparmored HMMWVs were not designed to be armored cars like the M1117 which are designed to withstand hits from small arms, mines and rockets in frontline combat units. Some members of congress visiting Iraq have favored them over other mine protected vehicles. As of mid 2007, 1,729 vehicles were delivered or under contract.

In response to urgent U.S. Army requirements over the past three years, production has increased from one ASV every three weeks to the present 56 vehicles per month. The main plant that produces the vehicles is located in New Orleans and was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The manufacturing facilities have since been rebuilt and expanded to five buildings and personnel have more than doubled. The vehicle is an update of the Cadillac Gage Commando which was used by US Air Force base security and foreign forces.

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, Textron received word that they would not receive further orders as part of the MRAP program. In early 2008, Textron was awarded $228 million (less than $1m per vehicle) to build an additional 329 ASVs. They will delivered with the latest fragmentation protection kits. Th total number of ASVs produced or remaining to be delivered to the U.S. Army is now at 2058 vehicles.

Design
At about 15 tons, the M1117 is lighter than the 20 ton Stryker ICV or 25 ton M2 Bradley armoured vehicle. It is only 2.4 metres wide, compared to 3.6 metres for a Bradley. Buttoned up, the crew has 360-degree visibility. In size and capability, it fits between the Humvee and the $2.8 million Stryker. The crew compartment is fully air-conditioned. The ASV is built by Textron in Louisiana.

Survivability
The Guardian's armor is designed to defeat .50 caliber armor piercing ammunition, 12-pound anti-tank mines, and 155 mm artillery from 15 m above. The armour is angled presenting no vertical surfaces, deflecting many Rocket Propelled Grenade hits. If an RPG does hit the vehicle directly, it can still function, although crew deaths and injuries will vary depending on where the RPG hits. Angled armour is more resistant to attack than vertical armour 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.

IEDs
ASVs in Iraq have withstood several IED attacks, some vehicles multiple times. One ASV returned 45 kilometers after an IED blew out all four tires[citation needed]. As for chemical and biological attacks the ASV’s gas particulate air filtration system provides additional protection. The ASV has had several incidents of rolling over. Soldiers have been ejected from the turret/gunner position while the vehicle begins to roll over sideways and have then been killed when the vehicle rolls over them.

Deployability
Six ASV's can fit on to a C-17 fully loaded, ready to roll off.
The ASV has a high survivability rate, although it is vulnerable to RPG attacks and IED attacks as evidenced by the current conflict in Iraq.

Mobility
The typical mission profile of an ASV involves 50% primary roads, 30% secondary roads, and 20% cross-country conditions. Front and rear independent suspension provides smooth highway speeds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h), while it is still capable of fording 5-foot (1.5 m) depths of water, climbing gradients of 60%, and overcoming obstacles of two feet.

Variants
The following variants are known to be in production/service:
Command & Control
Recovery Vehicle (Each ASV can tow another ASV or HMMWV)
RECON
Mortar Carrier
Ambulance
Countermine

Bulgaria
Basic variant of the M1117 APC fitted with a NSVT heavy machine gun instead of the M2. Not all vehicles have been converted this way.

Iraq
The Iraqi Armored Personnel Carrier ASV variant is configured for transport.