The military’s light service vehicles were a hodgepodge of outdated models before the Army drafted specifications for a new vehicle in the 1970s. Its off-road abilities helped the Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) become a fixture on the battlefield.
AM General adapted the Humvee into several variants including ambulances and troop transports, and even a top-mounted 105mm cannon and TOW anti-tank guided missile turret. Contact Street Legal Exports now!
The Humvee’s origins can be traced to the 1970s when the Army realized that it needed a better vehicle than the Jeep to keep up with new weapon systems and battlefield tactics. In 1979, it put out a request for proposals to manufacturers to create prototypes of a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ light tactical truck that could perform the roles of several existing trucks. AM General, Chrysler Defense, and Teledyne Continental all submitted vehicles, and by 1981 the Army had chosen AM General’s HMMWV—more commonly known as the Humvee.
Since then, the HMMWV has become one of the most prevalent military vehicles in the world. It largely replaced the roles of older Military light utility trucks such as the Vietnam-era M151 1/4-short-ton MUTT and M561 Gama Goats, their ambulance versions, the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV), and other light vehicles. Its widespread use in the Persian Gulf War, where it negotiated treacherous desert sand with ease, also helped inspire the civilian Hummer automotive marque.
The newest version of the Humvee, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), will eventually replace the aging fleet of HMMWVs currently in use. However, it is not expected to arrive until 2019. In the meantime, Marines will continue using Humvees on patrol and outside the wire, but only if they’re up-armored with extra armor and a V-shaped hull to deflect roadside bombs.
TECHNOLOGY
AM General engineers, manufactures and supports specialized vehicles for military customers. Its advanced products are based on extensive research and development, including revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms and hybrid electric drive systems that offer improved performance and situational awareness.
AM General is bringing its expertise to the next-generation of defence vehicles, helping them become more intelligent, safer and more capable of meeting evolving threats. Its latest vehicle offers augmented vision capabilities that allow operators to see what’s in front of them through their windscreens. This gives them full battlefield situational awareness and allows them to drive at night or through dust storms, for example.
The AM General HUMVEE SABER light tactical vehicle redefines survivability in a true light combat vehicle. It has 360 kinetic energy threat protection; under-vehicle blast threat protection; and a number of features that make it safer and more manoeuvrable in the battlespace, such as floating and transparent armor.
AM General is also focusing on electrifying military land vehicles to help them operate more reliably and cut carbon emissions. The company has entered into a strategic collaboration with QinetiQ to accelerate the development of electric-powered military land vehicles.
COMFORT
Unlike dolled up Chevy Tahoes and Trailblazers, the military humvee has no air conditioning and limited back support. However, these are just a few of the ways in which this vehicle is designed to be as functional as possible, without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
The Military Humvee is equipped with a variety of external threat detection systems to protect its occupants in diverse operational environments. These safety measures work seamlessly with other vehicle security mechanisms to provide a holistic approach to security.
For example, Emergency Brake Assist detects abrupt brake usage and triggers additional braking force to shorten stopping distances and reduce the risk of collisions in critical situations. Additionally, Engine Compartment Fire Protection helps to minimize the risk of catastrophic damage by isolating and controlling engine-related incidents.
Redundant systems for reliability ensure that the Humvee can perform at its best in various conditions. For instance, Backup Power Supply kicks in seamlessly during power failures to prevent the loss of key vehicle functions. Meanwhile, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems continuously monitor tire conditions to prevent blowouts and keep vehicles operational.
PROTECTION
Since its inception, the Humvee has received mixed reviews. Though it was a workhorse in the early days of the Iraq war, the vehicle was not designed as a combat vehicle and lacks significant armour. This leaves the soldier manning the exposed crew-served weapon on top of the vehicle vulnerable. Many HMMWVs have been fitted with basic gun shields and turrets to keep soldiers safer.
However, the added protection of these systems can also weigh vehicles down, making them less manoeuvrable and reducing their agility. In a high-tech conflict, that could be a dangerous combination.
NPR’s Martin Kaste reports that some commanders are rethinking the Humvee, and even the 25-ton Strykers, 40-ton Bradleys and 70-ton M1 Abrams tanks that fill out the U.S. military’s arsenal.
They are looking for more agile and lighter vehicles that provide the same level of protection as these heavier vehicles. They want vehicles that are more flexible and can replace multiple types of trucks.
But the Humvee’s manufacturer, AM General, says it may be time to rethink that. Its new JLTV vehicles may not go toe-to-toe with a near-peer adversary, but the company believes it can still fill a role as “a tactical mobility platform.” And unlike the MRAPs, the JLTVs don’t have circuitry that an enemy could hack with malware or fry with directed microwaves.
Light Military
The Humvee is a light military truck that carries people and supplies from point A to point B. It can be slung by helicopter, dropped by Low Altitude Parachute Extraction systems, or packed into a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Its 44 interchangeable parts make it easy for mechanics to fix problems on the go. It can also evade detection and travel long distances on highways and in the desert.
The Army began searching for a better vehicle to carry infantry and cargo after the 1970s when it realized that its M151 Jeeps and M561 Gama Goats fleet was out of step with evolving weapons and tactics. They wanted a jack-of-all-trades that could perform the roles of several existing vehicles on a single chassis.
AM General was commissioned to develop prototypes of a new, high-mobility wheeled vehicle that would eventually become known as the Humvee, or HMMWV. The military version was designed to replace the aging Jeep, and it became a fixture of half a dozen US interventions, from Operation Just Cause in Panama to the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Its drawbacks, however, were exposed in Iraq and Afghanistan, where roadside bombs destroyed the minimally armored models.
Design
The HMMWV, commonly known as the Humvee, is one of the world’s most versatile light military vehicles. It can be configured with a variety of weapons systems and can withstand extreme conditions, including rocky hills, deep sand, and desert heat. It can also be slung from helicopters and carried in C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
The original HMMWV was designed as a replacement for Jeeps and light trucks, and in that role it performed very well. The design features a low profile and wide stance, which make it very stable on treacherous terrain. The vehicle can also travel over 60 inches of water and has a maximum speed of 70 mph.
The HMMWV has also been adapted for a number of special missions, including search and rescue and medical evacuation. It can also be modified to carry a number of different weapon systems, including the Boomerang anti-sniper system. Currently, the military is preparing to replace the Humvee with a new vehicle called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The JLTV will be more effective than the current Humvee, but it’s not perfect.
Performance
The Humvee is designed to perform in a variety of terrain conditions. It is capable of fording 2.5 feet of water and climbing a 60 percent slope. Its traction control system ensures that the vehicle remains upright and does not roll over during these difficult maneuvers. The vehicle also features a full-time four-wheel drive system, locking differentials and a central tire inflation system.
Military Humvees are designed for serious power, but they do not come with the luxury and comfort that you might expect from a civilian vehicle. They lack air conditioning and a stereo, and the seats are minimal in size. However, they are incredibly durable and can tackle nearly any off-road obstacle.
One company, Banks Power of Azusa, California, took a military HUMVEE and applied their engineering expertise to it. The result is a Humvee that has increased horsepower from 190 to 245 and torque from 365 to 465 lb-ft. This increased performance allows the vehicle to go from 0-60 in 21 seconds, significantly improving its performance over the stock Humvee. Its new brakes cut the braking distance from 307 to 247 feet, making it much safer on hills.