Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV)

The Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a modified Mercedes Benz Wolf 290GDT 4x4 operated by the United States Marine Corps, in particular its elite Force Recon and other MEU (SOC) forces. The IFAV replaces the M-151A2 1/4 ton truck (MUTT jeep) which the Corps used as a fast attack vehicle during the 90s.

The IFAV is ideal for use by the USMC as it can be transported in the cargo hold of USMC helicopters such as the CH-46e, CH-53 and also the new MV-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft.
(view photo of IFAV loading onto CH-53 helicopter)

IFAVs feature a set of mounts onto which various weapons can be fitted. These include:

• M2 .50 machine guns
• M240 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns
• MK19/MK47 40mm grenade launchers
• M249 SAW 5.56mm machine guns
• TOW wire-guided anti-tank missile launchers
  (view photo of IFAV fitted with TOW)

IFAVs are unarmored as standard, although versions with armor-plating have been fielded and have proved their worth against IEDs in Afghanistan.

IFAVS are typically crewed by 3 Marines

• driver
• TC (Truck Commander) - seated front right
• top gunner - positioned in the rear

IFAV - Specifications

Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) operated by members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) during operations in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, 2004. Note the 5.56mm SAW mounted to the TC's dashboard. The top gunner is manning a Browning .50 M2 machine gun

DoD photo by: GYSGT KEITH A MILKS, USMC

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