IFAV - Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (USMC)

At the end of the 90s the US Marines Corps recognized, that the Hammed for example was an ideal offroad for the wide areas of America and also for the desert, but not duties in in European regions like the Cosovo for example where its agility is limited through it size and weight. Also a successor for the old M151 was urgent recommended.

So the USMC presented its choice on September 21. - 23. 1999 at the 'Modern Day Marine Military Exposition' for the new IFAV: the G
This model is modified especially for the needs of the USMC.
- 290GD Turbodiesel (long wheelbase, 2850mm),
- automatic transmission
- air-condition,
- stepable bonnet,
- folding windscreen and half-doors
- no siderubberbars.

Cause of its less width than usual Gs, two Gs can be transported side-by-side in the modern cargolifters. But the can also be transported by helicopters. The Chinook for example can took up two Gs or one G with a hooked gun and the CH-53E with its payload of 16 tons can carry up to 4 Gs, two inside and two outside.

The USMC likes mostly its excellent offroad properties, the much comfortable interior and driving behavior, the in comparison to the M151 quadruple payload and the strong engine, which is also much safer during transportation inside an aircraft, because it runs with dieselfuel.

"From discussions and meetings by MCCDC and MarCorSysCom senior officers, not unlike the way the Corps started in Tun Tavern, the idea came up that the commercial-based IFAV might have good utility in less tactical base support operations," said LtCol. Thomas F. Manley, Program Manager for Transportation, MarCorSysCom.

"The thinking behind it was, since it was designed as an aggressive off-road sport utility vehicle, it would probably better suited for some of the rougher terrains around base than the vehicles currently in use," said Manley.

"We use four-wheel-drive vehicles to aid personnel in training areas - but sometimes they get stuck," said Sgt. Gerald Spilatro, who is one of three range control Marines recently trained to operate the IFAV.

The range control Marines trained extensively for one week learning maintenance and practicing driving on hardball, unimproved gravel roads and rough off-road areas.

"With an IFAV in two-wheel drive, our instructor easily got through areas we frequently get our Dodge Rams stuck in," said Spilatro.
"When there is heavy rain, there are certain roads that we have to stay off, but with the IFAV we can go anywhere, if it is raining or not," he added.

It won't hold the M-19 40mm grenade launcher or the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, like some of its relatives in the FMF, but Spilatro believes the IFAV will prove to be a valuable asset to the Marine Corps in non-tactical roles just as in tactical missions.