Growler (vehicle)

For the horse-drawn vehicle known as a growler, see Hackney carriage

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 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.^[1] 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 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.^[2][3][4]

Growler M1161 Scout/Reconnaissance and M1163 Prime Mover Towed-Artillery variants

M327 towed heavy mortar and Growler prime mover being loaded onto a MV-22 Osprey.

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.^[5]

On November 10, 2004, the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract M67854-05-D-6014 with firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-award-fee contract line-item numbers for a base year and up to 6 option years to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) for $12,057,159 for procurement of 66 EFSSs and up to 650 ITVs. MCSC selected GDOTS over two other offerors. On September 20, 2007, Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services filed a protest on behalf of a constituent, Rae-Beck Automotive, LLC, a subcontractor to one of the losing offerors. The DoD Inspector General's audit did not substantiate most of the constituent’s concerns, but did note concerns with MCSC program management and contract award for the EFSS and ITV programs.^[6]

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.^[7][6] 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.^[8] 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.^[7]

During RIMPAC 2014, the Marines fitted a Growler ITV with Torc Robotics' Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) system, turning it into an unmanned ground vehicle. The GUSS system's aim is to lighten troops' load by carrying up to 1,600 lb (730 kg) of equipment; it could also serve as an unmanned medical evacuation vehicle. A GUSS-equipped ITV can autonomously follow a person wearing a beacon at a predetermined distance while cruising at up to 8 mph (13 km/h). A Marine can take direct control of the vehicle through a robotic controller or switch it to manual operation and drive it themselves if needed. The unmanned ITV may be fielded within five years.^[9]

See also

• Interim Fast Attack Vehicle
• Spider LSV
• Desert Patrol Vehicles
• General Dynamics Land Systems Force Protection JAMMA/SPECTRE light vehicle

References

• Marines take fight to the enemy with EFSS

"M1161 Growler Internally Transportable Vehicle".  "Light Strike Vehicle (LSV)".  "LSV Light Strike Vehicle".  "INTERNALLY TRANSPORTABLE VEHICLE, LIGHT STRIKE VARIANT (ITV-LSV), M1161".  "Growler crash leads to fleet suspension".  "EFSS/ITV: The US Marines’ Mobile 120mm Mortar System".