[4] The RBY Mk 1 with a variety of potential applications in mind, including reconnaissance, commando operations, internal security, and long range patrols.

Considerable design effort was put into making the vehicle mine resistant - the wheels and axles were placed as far forward and backward as possible to maximize the distance of any detonation away from the crew and passengers, the bumpers were made of fiberglass so they would disintegrate in an explosion and minimize hazardous debris, the thickest armour was incorporated into the floor, and the floor and hull were shaped to channel explosions away from the vehicle.

Other than modified Guatemalan versions, the RBY Mk 1 had no doors (crew entered through the open-topped passenger compartment) to ensure that the hull had no weak points.

The new RBY MK 1 featured a new, more powerful diesel engine, a kevlar roof for what had been the open cargo/passenger box, and access doors on either side of the vehicle for the now-enclosed rear compartment.

[6] A modified version of the RBY Mk 1 was produced which featured a 106mm recoilless rifle,[2] 16 rounds of ammunition and crew positions in place of the normal passenger seating.