Growler (vehicle)

Growler (vehicle)

The M1161 Growler is an Internally Transportable-Light Strike Vehicle (ITV-LSV) designed specifically for use with the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Fulfilling multiple roles of Light Utility, Light Strike and Fast Attack vehicle, it is smaller than most international vehicles in the same role. The Growler has taken over all duties of the M151 Jeep variants and completely replaced the Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV). The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has expressed interest in a modified version. A separate Marine variant, the M1163 Prime Mover is a combination 120mm mortar and integral ammunition trailer.

Development for the Growler began in 1999 by American Growler when the Marine Corps sought a vehicle that could be transported in a V-22 Osprey. Though the initial design used elements and parts from the drive train of the M151 MUTT which is was intended to replace, the final design featured entirely new parts and systems to allow it to fulfill its mission. This included allowing it to fit within the confines of a V-22's cargo bay. No major components from the M151 design are used in the manufacture of the M1161 or M1163 variant. Initial engineering of the M1161 is most closely related to American Growler's commercial UV 100 DB off-road vehicle. Manufacture of the Growler variants was later transferred to General Dynamics facilities but are otherwise identical.

Two different versions of the Growler were developed; the M1161 scout/reconnaissance version, and the M1163 Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) towed heavy 120mm mortar Prime Mover variant. A separate ammunition trailer, the M1162 was dropped from design and its duties incorporated into the M1163. The M1161 scout variant is armed with either a M2HB .50cal BMG Machine Gun, M240G 7.62mm MG or Mk19 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher. The 120mm mortar used by the M1163 is the French RT-120, deployed by United States forces as the M327 Dragon Fire. The Growler's central role of cross-country scout and aerially-deployed forward unit has led to further modifications, including use of the rifled Precision Extended Range Munition (PERM) system.

The initial contract for the ITV system was awarded to American Growler in 2004. By 2008, unit cost had risen by 120%, leaving each Growler scout variant with a cost of $209,000 per unit. The Prime Mover mortar contract price rose by 86%, to $1,078,000 cost per unit. The first Growlers were deployed to Marine units in January 2009 for field testing, one year beyond the contracted delivery date. By August 2011, 209 M1161s and 102 M1163s had been produced, with 42 additional M1163s on order. Though technically operational, neither variant has seen combat deployment due to concerns of survivability and serviceability. Problems with M1161 and M1163's throttle system were identified in May 2012 following an accident at MCB Camp Pendleton, California. The entire vehicle fleet was grounded, pending repair.