It is based on the M113 armored personnel carrier, and was built by FMC Corp. at its San Jose, California, and Charleston, West Virginia facilities.

[1] Its light weight allows the use of a relatively small engine to power the vehicle, a 6V53 Detroit two-stroke six cylinder diesel, with an Allison TX-100-1 three-speed automatic transmission, and allows the vehicle to carry a large payload cross-country and to be transported by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

The transfer gearcase can be used as a separating clutch when towing the vehicle and serves to reduce the motor's speed.

[citation needed] The British Army used the M548 as logistical support for (UK) Armoured Division in the 1991 Gulf War.

Two crewmen (Sergeant Dowling, MM and Lance Corporal F. Evans, REME) were killed.