page_title: Growler (vehicle)
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Growler (vehicle) / History
caption_attribution_description: English: USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Battalion Landing Team, practice loading an Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV) along with a Type M327 120 mm Towed Rifled Mortar system, commonly called the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) onto an MV-22 Osprey aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima Oct. 26, 2011. The Marines conducted the training to become familiar with loading the EFSS for future operations where they will fly the vehicle and mortar off the ship using the Osprey to conduct firing exercises ashore and prepare for deployment. This training took place as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8)/ 24th MEU Integration Exercise, known as PMINT. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. (Official USMC Photo by: Lance Cpl Michael J. Petersheim/ Released)
context_page_description: The M1161 Growler is officially the Internally Transportable Light Strike Vehicle designed specifically for use with the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The M1161 and M1163 are the only tactical vehicles certified 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. 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.
context_section_description: 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.
caption: M327 towed 120mm heavy mortar and M1163 Growler back into an MV-22 Osprey on board USS Iwo Jima.
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