M1117 Guardian
ASV-150
Overview
M1117 Guardian
US Army military police M1117 Guardian seen on patrol in Afghanistan in 2007.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
About $ 1 million in export sales
M1117 Guardian (US Army designation)
Description
Introduction
The ASV-150 is a patrol vehicle of US origin. It is one of 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.
Design
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.
Media
M1117 Guardian
US Army military police M1117 Guardian seen on patrol in Afghanistan in 2007.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M1117 Guardian
Bulgarian M1117 Guardian seen with side doors opened in 2008.
Source: KGG1951
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Details
Subcomponents
Mk 19 MOD 3
The 40mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher is mounted in the UGWS turret.
Browning M2HB
The 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is mounted in the UGWS turret.
Related articles
V-150 Commando
The ASV-150 is a deep modernization of the V-150 series of armored patrol vehicles.