Growler (vehicle)

M1161 Growler internally transportable vehicle
U.S. Marine Corps M1161 Growler ITV-LSV
Type	Fast attack / light utility vehicle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2009 – present
Used by	United States Marine Corps
Production history
Designer	American Growler
Designed	1999
Manufacturer	American Growler, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
Unit cost	$209,000 USD scout, $1,078,000 USD mortar combination
Produced	2009 – present
Variants	M1163 prime mover expeditionary fire support system (EFSS)
Specifications
Weight	Curb 2,058 kg (4,537 lb) or 3,872 kg (8,536 lb) with maximum payload
Length	4.14 m (163 in)
Width	1.5 m (59 in)
Height	1.19 m (47 in) stowed, 1.84 m (72 in) standard road height and 1.92 m (76 in) at maximum clearance
Crew	1 driver, 3 passengers
Armor	Kevlar frag-resistant seats
Main armament	M2HB .50cal BMG machine gun
Secondary armament	M240G 7.62mm MG or Mk19 40mm automatic grenade launcher
Engine	2.8 Liter In-line 4-cylinder SOHC 12-valve turbo-diesel (Navistar Defense) 132 bhp @ 3,600 rpm / 230 ft lbs torque @ 2,000 rpm
Payload capacity	900 kg (2,000 lb) cross-country
Transmission	General Motors 4L70E 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, Chrysler 2-speed manual transfer case (2WD Hi/Lo and 4WD Hi/Lo)
Suspension	Air ride gas bladder suspension, height-adjustable on the fly via dash control panel
Fuel capacity	91 litres (24 US gal) via twin 45 litres (12 US gal) fuel tanks using JP-8, commercial diesel, DF-2 or JP-5
Operational range	657 km (408 mi) unrefueled
Speed	137 km/h (85 mph) maximum on paved roads, 105 km/h (65 mph) cross-country
Steering system	Four wheel steering via joystick control with auto-centering

The M1161 Growler is an internally transportable light strike vehicle (ITV-LSV) designed specifically for use with the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The M1161 and M1163 are the only tactical vehicles certified by the US Military to fly in the V-22. Fulfilling multiple roles of light utility, light strike and fast attack vehicle, the M1161 Growler is smaller than most international vehicles in the same role. It has taken over duties of the M151 jeep-type variants and replaced the Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV). A separate US Marine Corps variant, the shorter two-seat M1163 prime mover is combined with the M327 towed 120mm heavy mortar, and also became its ammunition hauler after the M1162 trailer was cancelled.

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 which it 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 light strike vehicle (LSV), and the M1163 prime mover variant as part of the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) towed heavy 120mm mortar. A number of the separate 36-round ammunition trailers, the M1162 were ordered, but further design was dropped and its duties to carry the 35 lb mortar shells were incorporated into the M1163 Prime Mover. The M1161 LSV variant is armed with either an M2HB .50cal BMG machine gun, M240G 7.62mm MG or Mk19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The 120mm mortar towed by the M1163 Prime Mover 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.