Armored Ground Mobility System (AGMS)
The Armored Ground Mobility System (AGMS) is a 6x6 armored personnel carrier in service with Delta Force and in limited use by the 75th Ranger Regiment.
A custom-built variant of the Pandur APC, manufactured for USSOCOM by General Dynamics Land Systems in 2000, the AGMS can transport up to 7 troops plus its commander and driver. Features of the Delta Force AGMS include:
- shielded weapons mount on the roof for .50 M2 machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher
- 6-cylinder, 6.6 liter engine
- shielded driver's compartment
- custom up-armor kit
- electronic anti-IED countermeasures
- provisions for secure radio communications
- range of 404 miles
It is understood that there was an initial purchase of 12 AGMS vehicles by USSOCOM in 2000. A further 11 vehicles were ordered in 2006.
It can be speculated that Delta Force's experience of urban combat in thin-skinned vehicles during the battle of Mogadishu in 1993 had highlighted the need for an in-house fleet of armored vehicles. Delta had used the AGMS during the initial stages of the war in Iraq. It also used light-skinned vehicles such as the Pinzgauer and GMV. Such vehicles, with their limited armor would not fair so well in post-invasion Iraq. Delta Force's campaign against Iraqi insurgents and Al Qaeda would involve moving and fighting in built-up urban areas such as Baghdad, with an increasing threat of IEDs. While Delta would often use vehicles such as SUVs and locally-sourced saloons when on covert ops in the city, the AGMS would more likely be used on overt direct action missions.
The 75th Ranger Regiment has also employed light armor, including limited use of the Pandur AGMS in addition to a number of M1126 Stryker ICVs that the regiment acquired for use in Afghanistan.
