In response to the rising relevance of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) in large-scale warfare, the US sought a need to provide the army a mobile ground platform capable of being an ATGM launcher for support. The basis of the design would be the M113 APC as it was available in plentiful numbers across the army and compatible with the existing logistical network. The system was designated as the Improved TOW Vehicle, or ITV, and a design produced by the company Emerson was accepted as the M901 in 1979. The US used the M901 in Operation Desert Storm, where it is credited with 14 kills. More than 3,000 units of the M901 were produced and exported to many foreign users, with the US retiring the M901 starting in the mid-1990s.

Introduced during Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy", the M901 is a special tank destroyer most notable by its turret extending up high above the hull. The "hammerhead" turret design retracts when the M901 is moving, which can hinder deployment time once a suitable location is found. However, the placement also means that in the correct area, it is entirely possible to be hiding the entire hull behind cover with just the small turret poking out to help nail an enemy tank. The need to stay still to maintain the turret position and fire a TOW missile means that the M901 is terrible in any aggressive play scenario, but most productive in a position-based gameplay.