The M1116 Up-Armored HMMWV is used by the U.S. Air Force for Security Forces and Civil Engineering missions plus EOD and Base Recovery After Attack missions.

This armored light tactical wheeled vehicle system features gunner protection kit, traversing turret mechanism, expanded rear compartment and added underbody M67 grenade fragmentation protection.

Late in 1997, following extensive trials, the US Air Force placed a contract with O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Company (today BAE Systems, Mobility and Protection Systems) for the supply of 71 M1116 (4×4) up-armoured AM General HMMWV (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles) to replace the older Textron Marine & Land Systems Ranger (or Peacekeeper as called by the US Air Force) covered in a separate entry.

These 71 M1116 vehicles were delivered between February and May 1998 and by late 2004 a total of 551 had been delivered to the US Air Force.

Typical roles of the M1116 include Security Police (SP), Civil Engineer (CE) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Base Recovery After Attack (EOD BRAAT).

A follow on order was placed for an additional 74 M114 which brought the total up to 625 units, many of which are deployed overseas.

The M1116 vehicle is based on the Enhanced Capacity Vehicle (ECV) member of the AM General HMMWV family with the armour package being designed, produced and fitted by the now BAE Systems, Mobility and Protection Systems.

It is very similar to that of the M1114 up-armoured HMMWV covered in full detail in a separate entry.

The armour package provides protection against assault rifles, overhead attack, underbody blast and grenade attack.

No less than five basic kits are available. The first (kit A) provides the gunner with protection through 360° from 7.62 mm AP attack and the turret can be fitted with a 7.62 mm M60 or .50 (12.7 mm) M2 HB machine gun or a 40 mm MK 19 grenade launcher with MK 64 mount.

When fitted with kit B, the gunner has overhead protection from 155 mm shell bursts at 100 m and also allows the use of a 12.7 mm M82A1 Barrett Rifle in the Barrett soft mount.

With the gunner protection kit C, the gunner and crew are provided with underbody protection with the kit installed inside the vehicle. An adjustable gunner platform permits height adjustments. Double layers of ballistic steel and aramid blanks reinforce the floor and prevent grenade fragmentation entry into the crew compartment.

Kit D provides added protection against underbody blasts from M67 grenades to provide crew and vehicle survivability. In addition, it protects the engine from off-road hazards.

The new design traversing mechanism provides a continuous 360° traversing of the entire turret assembly using kits A and B. The new environmental cover was designed to meet the specific requirements of the US Air Force. The rear storage compartment has been enlarged to provide greater payload flexibility. A padlock handle latches the tailgate and hatch.

Additional features include air conditioning system, heating system, additional sound insulation and storage for 7.62 mm M60 machine gun.

The M1116 is fully air transportable with the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft able to carry 2 or 3 vehicles and the Lockheed Martin C-141 3 or 4 vehicles.