General Facts

TYPE
Reconnaissance vehicle

ORIGIN
United States

NICKNAMES
M1117 Guardian (US Army designation)

DESIGNED
1994 - 1997

DESIGNER
Textron

PRODUCTION
1999 - present

PRODUCERS
United States - Textron

QUANTITY
About 2.000, more to be delivered

UNIT COST
About 700.000 USD for US Army
About 1.000.000 USD in recent exports

CHARACTERISTICS
Well protected
Well armed
Small crew capacity

Introduction

The ASV-150 is a patrol vehicle of US origin. It is the latest version of the Commando range of 4x4 armored vehicles used by many nations around the world. ASV stands for Armored Security Vehicle. Currently it is better known under its US military designation M1117 Guardian. At first only small quantities were acquired as uparmored HMMWVs are much cheaper. The threat of IEDs in Iraq led to large orders.

Layout

The ASV-150 was based on the then latest version of the Commando, the LAV-150ST. The hull is similar, but the suspension, armor and weapons stations have been improved. The crew of three consists of a commander, driver and gunner. The turret is fitted in the center of the vehicle and the engine is at the left in the rear.

Firepower

The ASV-150 is equipped with the same Upgunned Weapon Station as fitted to the AAV-7A1 used by the US Marine Corps. The UGWS is fitted with a 40mm Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. Firing ports allow the crew to fire their weapons from inside the vehicle. For trails the CROWS remote controlled weapon station has been installed.

Protection

For a patrol vehicle the ASV-150 is quite well armored. The armor package consists of the steel hull of the earlier V-150ST fitted with MEXAS ceramic and appliqué modular armor. This provides protection against 14.5mm rounds fired from long range, 12.7mm AP rounds from 250 m distance and shell splinters and small arms fire from point blank range. The vehicle may survive blasts of 5 kg TNT under the wheels or 2 kg TNT directly under the vehicle.

Mobility

The large wheels, 4x4 propulsion and high power to weight ratio give the ASV-150 a good cross country performance. On the road it is fast and can keep up with any other military vehicles. As it is larger than a HMMWV it may have some difficulties in urban areas.

Users

The main user of the ASV-150 is the US Army. Most are deployed in Iraq and it is mainly used by military police to escort convoys. The Iraqi National Police has also been issued with the ASV-150 and those acquired by Bulgaria are also used in Iraq.

ASV-150

The ASV-150, also known as the M1117 ASV or Guardian, is a 4x4 patrol vehicle. It is fitted with a UGWS turret fitted with a 40mm Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. There are no variants of the ASV-150 although a variety of weapon systems may be fitted and specialist vehicles such as NBC reconnaissance may be developed.

Specifications:
ASV-150

Type	Reconnaissance vehicle
Crew	3+1 (commander, gunner, driver, passenger)
Length	6.7 m
Width	2.56 m
Height	2.05 m hull roof, 2.46 m overall
Ground clearance	0.46 m
Weight	11.9 t unloaded, 13.4 t combat load
Ground pressure	?
Wheelbase	4x4, 14.00 R20 run flat tires, 3.02 m wheelbase, 2.14 m track
Turn radius	8.35 m
Engine	Cummins 6CTA, 8.3 L 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel, 260 hp at 2.200 rpm

Power ratio	19.4 hp/t
Transmission	Automatic, 6 speed
Speed	100 km/h on road
Fuel	264 L
Range	708 km at 64 km/h
Wall	0.6 m
Trench	?
Gradient	60% gradient, 40% slope
Fording	1.5 m
Armor	Steel armor with ceramic composite appliqué plates
NBC equipment	Yes

Night vision	Yes
Smoke	2x4 smoke grenade launchers
Remarks	-
Armament	40mm Mk.19 AGL 12.7mm M2HB HMG
Weapon1	40mm Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher in turret 600 rounds, 100 ready to fire -8 to +45 degrees elevation, 360 degrees traverse non-stabilized
Weapon2	12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun as coaxial weapon 800 round, 200 ready to fire traverse and elevation as main armament non-stabilized
Weapon3	-
Weapon4	-
Weapon5	-
Weapon6	-