The US military’s Humvees were designed as jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicles. They carry cargo and troops, haul supplies, perform front-line reconnaissance patrols, and serve as field ambulances.
But despite conquering foreign battlefields and suburban soccer fields, the Humvee may be facing its last battle. Unless the DLA asks State and Commerce to formally determine that additional models can be sold. Click the Military Humvee For Sale to learn more.
The Military Humvee, also known as the HMMWV (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), is a family of light four-wheel drive vehicles that serves multiple roles for the United States Military. The HMMWV replaced the jeep-based M151 Jeep and M561 Gama Goat, but has gone far beyond those simple utility vehicles to become one of the most versatile all-terrain vehicles in the world. It has served as a troop transport, a command vehicle, an ambulance, and even a weapons platform with the addition of a roof-mounted 105mm howitzer or a tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) anti-tank missile.
The HMMWV entered combat for the first time in Operation Just Cause, the US invasion of Panama in 1989, and the Persian Gulf War in 1991. By the early 1990s, the Army was recognizing the need for one jack-of-all-trades vehicle to replace several of its light tactical vehicles. The result was a series of variants designed to perform specific missions including troop transport, supply transport, logistics, and command and control.
AM General won a contract in 1983 to produce 55,000 HMMWVs to be split between the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. The truck was marketed to civilians as the Hummer after AM General acquired rights to the name in 1992 and began production for the civilian market. The civilian versions were identical to the military ones and shared the same chassis, brakes, axles, body panels, and frame.
During the Iraq War, however, the Humvee was put to the ultimate test. The venerable truck was no match for the roadside improvised explosive devices that littered the country’s highways and neighborhoods, turning them into deadly traps for soldiers and Marines who were forced to abandon their dependable Humvees in droves. In response, the Army developed a new state-of-the-art vehicle called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle that is not only more powerful than a Humvee, but it can carry soldiers safely over rough terrain at speeds a Humvee could only dream of. It’s an intimidating sight to see a convoy of these vehicles rolling into battle. But is it really that much safer?
Design
In the military world, a Humvee is more than just a small truck — it’s a workhorse. Most units, even tank companies, will have a handful of these vehicles to help carry around commanders, provide security for a supply truck, give road control and just bring people and equipment around. These vehicles can be used for a wide range of missions, including patrol, reconnaissance and light cargo transport. They can also be equipped with a variety of weapons and communications systems.
The Humvee was originally developed by AM General in response to a request from the Army for a new jack-of-all-trades replacement for Jeeps and other light trucks. The vehicle was given the official name High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV, but soldiers who drove it took to calling it a Humvee informally.
It was designed as a 4WD truck that could perform in a variety of terrain and carry a lot of weight without sacrificing performance or maneuverability. Several different configurations were designed, from ambulances to cargo and troop carriers. Each had its own unique features, but they all shared the same chassis and engine. Each Humvee had 44 interchangeable parts, which made maintenance quick and easy.
Because of its versatility, the Humvee is still in service today. Its armor protection is not up to par for frontline combat, but it can withstand some of the most common threats from IED attacks and ambushes. The company behind the Humvee, AM General, is not giving up on it and plans to release a new generation of vehicles that are more resistant to IEDs.
The new JLTV is much more sophisticated than the old Humvee, but it’s also expensive and time-consuming to develop. The company is trying to avoid the cost and risk by focusing on enhancing the old models rather than replacing them entirely. For example, it’s developing a narrower version that can fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and an upgunned variant that can carry a 30mm cannon. By doing this, the company hopes to keep the Army’s Humvee fleet in service for 30 years or more.
Specifications
The HMMWV is a multi-purpose vehicle with multiple variants that meet varying mission sets. They are able to meet the needs of both front line soldiers as well as logistical support personnel. This includes providing fire support vehicles, life saving ambulances, mobile howitzers and mission command vehicles to the troops. Depending on the situation, the Humvee can also provide security and protection for those troops working behind the lines.
The military Humvee is a very durable truck that is made to last in the most extreme environments. Its high levels of reliability, maintainability and survivability allow it to easily meet the army’s standards for light service vehicles. It is a highly reliable workhorse and can be easily repaired in the field. It is also highly maneuverable and can navigate rough terrain with ease.
These military trucks are designed to get the job done and are built without unnecessary features such as stereos or air conditioning systems. The humvee’s rugged and all-terrain design is engineered to be more off-road capable than your typical military vehicle. The tires are positioned on the outside of the chassis so that they can easily climb steep grades and take on harsh off-road terrain without damaging the underside. The military humvee also has a system that allows it to raise and lower its body so that it can easily go over large obstacles or drop into rivers without damaging the underneath side.
Because of its versatility, the Humvee is a very popular military vehicle worldwide. It is used in more than 40 nations. One of the most interesting Humvee facts is that the humvee is still being deployed in the field today. The military Humvee is being replaced by the newer JTLV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle).
The JTLV is a hybrid-electric light tactical vehicle that uses commercial off-the-shelf technology to drive the wheels. This system consists of a conventional internal combustion engine paired with an electric motor and battery. It can travel up to 400 miles on a single charge and has a top speed of 105 MPH. It can also operate in cold weather and has a maximum capacity of 15 people. The JTLV can be easily integrated into the existing fleet through modernization efforts and is compatible with existing logistics systems. Its simplified supply, maintenance and logistics system means fewer training hours for mechanics and less money spent on parts.
Production
The military Humvee is designed to work in many different environments, so it is built with a rugged chassis and suspension. This allows it to travel over rocky hills and deep sand, as well as through desert heat and arctic snow. These vehicles are also capable of traveling at high speeds on unpaved roads. They can also be up-armored to protect their occupants against bullets and bombs.
The Army first developed the Humvee, also known as the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), in 1979 to replace its aging fleet of light tactical vehicles. It took several years of rigorous testing to ensure that the HMMWV would perform effectively in all environments and in any conditions, from deserts to jungles to urban areas. The vehicle was finally approved for production in 1983.
Over the years, the HMMWV has spawned a variety of variants, including ambulances and troop transports. In 1991, the Humvee received widespread public attention after it was used extensively in the Gulf War.
During this conflict, the military Humvee gained its reputation for its ability to navigate desert terrain. It was used for a variety of missions, including supply and command and control. In fact, it was so popular that civilians began buying their own Humvees for off-road driving and other recreational purposes.
In 2015, the US Army began to phase out its fleet of HMMWVs in favor of the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. The JLTV is designed to replace the Humvee fleet but not one-for-one, and it is unclear how many of the current Humvees the Army will keep.
The HMMWV was initially unarmored, but after the Iraq War, it became clear that the vehicle needed to be protected against improvised explosive devices. This led to the development of the MRAP armored vehicle, which is able to withstand mine blasts and other threats. The MRAP is being introduced to frontline troops in place of the humvee, although some will continue to be up-armored Humvees.
Most units, including tank companies, will still have a few humvees to support their operations. These vehicles can be used to carry a commander or to provide security for a convoy, or they can be used to tow a trailer for water or generators.