( DN ) - Textron Marine and Land Systems has unveiled an upgraded M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) variant, a 16-ton, four-wheeled vehicle with a V-shaped hull, raised chassis and lightweight ceramic armor.
"We took the last five years we've been in combat, [and] looked at what was working on the vehicle and what needs to be improved. We discovered enough stuff that we have created a new kind of vehicle from the same chassis," said David Treuting, Textron Marine and Land business development manager, at the winter convention of the Association of the U.S. Army, here.
Raised 24 inches off the ground to improve blast protection, the chassis rests on an improved suspension and wheels of the same size used on Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks. The goal is to create survivability equivalent to that of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle without compromising mobility.
Used for reconnaissance, scouting and security missions, the ASVs are configured to carry a Mk 19 grenade launcher, 50-caliber machine guns and other weapons.
Textron currently produces about 48 ASVs per month for the U.S. Army, company officials said. More than 1,000 are in service with the Army.