Additional M1117 Armored Vehicles for US Army

Textron Inc., NEW ORLEANS: Textron Marine & Land, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, has been awarded a contract modification for $255.5 million to build an additional 369 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV) by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM). This modification is a follow on to a contract finalized in 2006. 
 
“We continue to experience both strong demand and exceptional customer feedback for the ASV,” said Tom Walmsley, general manager, Textron Marine & Land Systems. “In addition, this reaffirms confidence in a product that has been in continuous combat for more than 51 months with an Operational Readiness Rate consistently greater than 90 percent.” 
 
With this award, the total number of ASVs produced or under contract is now at 1729 vehicles. 
 
Production and deliveries of the ASV are continuing at Textron Marine & Land with firm contracts through at least October 2008. 
 
The ASV is used by the United States Army for its military police, convoy protection and Field Artillery Combat Observation and Lasing Teams (COLT). Its record of performance, reliability and survivability in the field is impeccable. More than 750 ASVs have been deployed in the Global War on Terrorism in support of combat missions. Textron Marine & Land has built more than 950 vehicles to date. 
 
The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armored vehicle that offers significant crew protection through the employment of multiple layers of armor that provides defense against small arms fire, artillery projectile fragments, and land mines. This advanced armor is exceedingly lightweight and allows the vehicle to be able to “roll-on/roll-off” C-130 military transport aircraft. The ASV possesses superior mobility, agility, handling, and ride quality through the utilization of a four-wheel independent suspension system. 
 
Textron Marine & Land has equipped the U.S. Army Military Police version with a specially designed dual-weapon station that, unlike many other vehicles, enables the crew to load, reload and clear gun jams under full armor protection. With minor modifications and appropriate outfitting, ASV variants can perform a wide variety of missions including scout, infantry personnel carrier, reconnaissance, command and recovery.  
 
Textron Systems Corporation provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities. The company is known for its precision smart weapons, surveillance systems, complex intelligence and communications systems, aircraft control components, piston engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc.