[1] The M1117 was one of the first U.S. military vehicles to be built on a specialized mine-resistant hull, and after 2001 was adopted in increasing numbers as a direct response to the threat posed by improvised explosive devices to US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many generals doubted the benefits, but the Military Police Corps, tasked with patrolling the "safe" rear area behind the battle line, insisted that the Army fund a slow but steady production of the bullet-resistant M1114 Humvee.

However, the onset of events in Iraq gave new life to the ASV program as HMMWVs proved vulnerable to attacks and prone to numerous casualties.

In response to urgent United States Army requirements in the mid-2000s, production increased more than forty-fold, from one ASV every three weeks to 56 vehicles per month.

[citation needed] A variant was to be evaluated by the United States Marine Corps as part of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program.

[9] However, in early 2008, Textron was awarded a contract worth $228 million to build 329 ASVs, to be delivered with the latest fragmentation protection kits.

The ASV uses an advanced modular expandable armor package from IBD Deisenroth Engineering, consisting of ceramic composite appliqué on the exterior and spall liner on the interior.

Front and rear independent suspension provides smooth highway speeds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h), while it is capable of fording 5-foot (1.5 m) depths of water,[16] climbing gradients of 60%, negotiating 30% side slope, and overcoming obstacles of five feet.

[citation needed] The following variants are known to be in production/service:[17] With the adoption of the M1117 as the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) by the Afghan National Army, demand increased for much larger-caliber weapon systems mounted on the same chassis, to provide an organic anti-tank and fire support capability.

[20] One advantage of the low-pressure cannon was that, in spite of its relatively large caliber, it could be mounted on a vehicle weighing only 18 metric tonnes, or about 40,000 pounds, combat loaded.

[20] The new armament was also fitted with a single-baffle muzzle brake and concentric hydro-spring recoil mechanism as standard to reduce the pressure exerted on the relatively light chassis.

[21] Afghanistan immediately ordered 50 and offered to purchase the vehicle through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with grants from the US government.

[22] However, since the 90 mm cannon and most of the turret components were made in Belgium, US military officials blocked the sale until they could qualify and approve that particular combination for export through FMS.

[22] In 2014, the procurement process was suspended when the US canceled its funding for the sale of almost 300 MSFVs, including the 50 Direct Fire Vehicles, to the Afghan National Army, citing budgetary constraints.

[22] As Kabul's requirement for a fire support variant of the MSFV remained unfulfilled, Textron agreed to revisit the potential sale with Afghan officials in 2017.