The M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), is an internal security vehicle based on the Cadillac Gage Commando series of armored cars. It was developed in the late 1990s for service with the United States Military Police Corps. The first prototypes appeared in February 1997 and serial production of the M1117 commenced between 1999 and early 2000. The Textron Marine & Land Systems M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) is the base model of the ASV, both in production and in combat use. It is the patrol version used by convoy protection platform units and tactical Military Police of the U.S. Army. In 2015 Textron Systems rebranded the M1117 as the COMMANDOâ„¢ family of vehicles, bringing back the name of the vehicle from which the M1117 was derived.
The M1117 was one of the first American military vehicles to be built on a specialized mine-resistant hull, and after 2001 was adopted in increasing numbers as a direct response to the threat posed by mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The armor is angled presenting no vertical surfaces, deflecting many rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hits. Angled armor is more resistant to attack than vertical armor due to the shape of the V-shape hulls deflecting explosive forces, as opposed to a single-plane hull which takes the entire force impact. This superior ballistic protection also includes a spall liner on the interior surfaces of the vehicle. It is a more heavily protected and heavily armed alternative to the armored Humvee which was not originally designed to be a protected fighting vehicle.
Its armament consists of an Mk 19 grenade launcher and M2HB Browning machine gun, mounted in a turret similar to that used on the U.S. Marine Corps’ Amphibious Assault Vehicle; and a M240H Medium Machine Gun mounted outside the gunner’s hatch. The vehicle was utilized by American military police and convoy security units in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the adoption of the M1117 as the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) by the Afghan National Army, demand increased for much larger caliber weapons systems mounted on the same chassis which would provide it with an organic anti-tank and fire support capability. On 22 October 2013, The Commando Select 90mm Direct Fire with Cockerill Mk III 90mm low-pressure cannon was unveiled at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) by Textron Vehicle.
The M1117 is powered by a 260hp Cummins 6CTA8.3 diesel engine coupled with the Allison MD3560 six-speed transmission and R-611 independent axles. The vehicle can reach 0-32km/h in under seven seconds. The ASV travels at highway speeds over 97 km/h (60 mph) while offering excellent handling, ride quality and mobility, based upon independent suspension with unmatched range of well over 440 miles on a basic load of fuel. The ASV is transportable (roll-on/roll-off) by C-130 and larger aircraft, rail, highway and marine transport modes. The ASV includes an organic winch capable of producing a minimum rated pull capacity of 15,000 lbs. (6,795 kg) to permit self-recovery and/or recovery of other systems as required.
