Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) used the 2013 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. as the occasion to unveil their latest addition to the Commando Select family. The Commando Select 90mm Direct Fire armored vehicle was introduced on Oct. 22 and is designed to meet what TM&LS sees as a growing international demand for under-armor firepower combined with a highly mobile armored vehicle. “Our new vehicles are a direct response to multiple international customers seeking additional firepower in highly-protected, mobile and sustainable armored vehicles,” said Tom Walmsley, TM&LS senior vice president and general manager.

The Commando Select 90mm Direct Fire armored vehicle carries a CMI Defence Cockerill CSE 90LP weapons system. The two-person low-profile turret has been fitted on a variety of vehicles, including, recently, Ukroboronservice BTR-3Es. The CSE 90LP is envisioned as providing the Commando with a day/night combat capability for a range of counter-insurgency and conventional combat operations. “The 90mm Direct Fire vehicle uses our combat-proven Commando Select platform and adds a trusted CMI Defence turret to deliver an effective package for a wide range of military and security applications,” said Walmsley. The CSE 90LP is lightweight and simple to operate and maintain.

“The 90mm Direct Fire vehicle uses our combat-proven Commando Select platform and adds a trusted CMI Defence turret to deliver an effective package for a wide range of military and security applications.”

The Command Select family is made up of, in addition to the 90mm Direct Fire Armored Vehicle, a turreted variant, an ambulance variant, and a mortar variant. The mortar variant was introduced earlier this year. More than 8,000 Commando Select vehicles are used by Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. Most U.S. Guardian Selects are operated by the U.S. Army Military Police Corps under the name of the M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle (ASV). Additionally, 600 more vehicles are in various production and delivery phases to Canada, Colombia, and Afghanistan.

One potential client for the Commando Select 90mm Direct Fire armored vehicle is the Afghan National Army, which has received more than 550 Commando Select vehicles.