Armored Vehicles

M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle

Also known as

M901
M901 ITV
M901A1 ITV
M901 Improved TOW Vehicle

The M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle is a U.S. tracked armored carrier built on the M113A1 chassis with an M27 cupola and twin TOW launcher tubes. United Defense, LP built the vehicle for Army service beginning in 1978, and the final M901A1 configuration could fire Basic TOW, Improved TOW, and TOW-2 missiles while carrying additional rounds inside the hull.

M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle, Tracked TOW missile carrier vehicle, Armored Vehicles

Image source: File:M901 Improved TOW vehicle.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: United Defense, LP
Type: Tracked TOW missile carrier vehicle
Service note: Late Cold War
Designed: 1976-1978
Produced: 1978-1990s; export production continued after U.S. Army production ended
Number built: More than 5,500 M901-family systems

tracked anti-tankarmored vehicle

Specifications

Crew: 4
Base chassis: M113A1 armored personnel carrier
Launcher: M27 'Hammerhead' armored twin TOW launcher
Missile load: 2 ready missiles plus 10 stowed internally
Weight: 13 tons
Mobility: 40 mph road speed; 300-mile cruise range
Protection: Hull and launcher protection against small arms and artillery fragments

Launched Missiles

The M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle is a tracked carrier built to fire TOW-family missiles from an elevated twin launcher.

Launched item

Item type

Launch evidence

BGM-71 TOW, Heavy anti-tank guided missile, Infantry Weapons

Heavy anti-tank guided missile

Army budget documentation names the M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle as a TOW carrier and launch platform.

Sources: Army Procurement: Missiles

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered U.S. Army service in 1978; front-line U.S. Army use ended by the mid-1990s.
Used by: United States Army

Media

M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle Images

M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle, Tracked TOW missile carrier vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1 — Source: File:M901 TOW missile vehicle (1985).JPEG

M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle, Tracked TOW missile carrier vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 2 — Source: File:M901 ITV in Athens on March 25, 2024.jpg

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Sources

Army Procurement: MissilesPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicle designation and its role as a TOW carrier and launch platform in Army budget material. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 M901 Improved TOW Vehicle | Army GuidePublisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the M901/M901A1 family description, the M113A1 chassis, launch layout, service history, and production totals. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 M901 Improved TOW Vehicle | Estrella Warbird MuseumPublisher: Estrella Warbird Museum | Note: Supports the vehicle type, dimensions, speed, crew, launcher, missile stowage, and contract manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:M901 Improved TOW vehicle.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing source for the REFORGER '83 vehicle photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:M901 TOW missile vehicle (1985).JPEGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing source for the 1985 REFORGER vehicle photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:M901 ITV in Athens on March 25, 2024.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing source for the 2024 Athens vehicle photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-27