page_title: Growler (vehicle)
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Growler (vehicle) / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Marines with the 120mm mortar platoon for Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a round into an M327 120mm mortar during a combined artillery and close air support training exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 2013 in August 2013.
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 120mm Rifled Towed Mortar ready to fire in training exercise
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