After running its fleet of jeeps ragged in Vietnam, the US Army set out to design a new workhorse. The result was the HMMWV, or Humvee.
This basic model would spawn 15 different variants to serve as troop transport, weapons carrier, shelter carrier and ambulance. Each was based on the same 44 interchangeable parts. Click the https://www.streetlegalexports.com/ to learn more.
After years of putting their lives on the line driving around the globe, US service members saw the value of the Humvee and wanted to take it home. So, after the Gulf War in 1991, a civilian version of the military vehicle was developed by AM General. And that’s the story of the HMMWV, or Humvee as it’s commonly known today.
Back in the late 1970s, the Army realised that it needed a new light tactical vehicle. Its fleet of M561 Gama Goats and M151 Jeeps was getting ragged out and it was difficult to mount modern weapons systems on them. So it asked manufacturers to submit designs for a jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle.
The three most prominent companies were AM General, which was already making jeeps for the military, Chrysler’s defence division and Teledyne Continental Motors. Each company submitted a prototype to the Army. And AM General’s design won out. It was based on the Hummer concept but it had additional features which helped to make it unique. Independent front and rear suspension, advanced shock absorbers and torque-biasing differentials allowed the Humvee to tackle terrain that would stop other four-wheel-drive vehicles in their tracks. It also had an aluminum body, which was lighter and able to allow the frame to flex more off-road.
As time went on, the Humvee became a mainstay in the global fight against terrorism. But as the threats evolved from a fast-paced Cold War to insurgencies like those in Iraq and Afghanistan, it became clear that the workhorse needed an upgrade. It was still good at navigating the harshest of landscapes, but it couldn’t protect troops from the small arms fire and improvised explosive devices they faced when patrolling city streets. The military responded by bolting on extra armour to existing vehicles, but the added weight made them slower and more prone to mechanical failures.
In the end, it was the MRAP that saved the day, replacing the Humvee in frontline U.S. military service with a vehicle that could better protect soldiers from the threat of IEDs. But it’s a testament to the Humvee’s enduring popularity that thousands of the vehicles remain in use around the world. And with several programmes advancing unmanned ground vehicle technology, it might not be long before we see a Humvee rebirth as a low-cost, autonomous scout platform at the forefront of troops’ advance.
Design
In the 1970s, the army realized that it needed better vehicles to keep up with the changing battlefield. They wanted a single, jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle to take the place of several different models already in service, including the M151 Jeep and M561 Gama Goat.
The military issued specifications for a new “high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle” that could handle harsh terrains like rocky hills, deep sand and snow. The Humvee met those requirements and more, earning high marks from evaluators. It was so versatile that it grew into a fleet of different variants, including ambulances, cargo and troop transports, and tube-launched missile carriers.
Today, Humvees are still used by the military around the world in a variety of roles. Despite their age, they’re still considered reliable workhorses, and collectors prize unmodified versions for their authenticity. Humvees even made an appearance in the video game Metal Gear Solid, where they were used to patrol a curfew and search for PMC Raven Sword members.
The HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) is one of the most famous light military vehicles in history, thanks to its iconic look and versatility. It has become a symbol of the United States military, and it’s also been used by other armies in adaptions to suit their needs.
Aside from the military version, there are plenty of civilian adaptations of the Humvee. Most of these vehicles are designed to provide increased comfort and safety features, but some are also equipped with weapon systems, surveillance equipment, and other mission-specific features.
AM General, the company that produces the HMMWV, is preparing for a 21st century rebirth of its iconic vehicle. It has developed an autonomous Humvee that can carry the same cargo and weapons as the human-driven vehicles, but without endangering soldiers in the process.
AM General’s redesigned Humvee, called SABER, redefines survivability in a light tactical vehicle. It can travel on hard-packed dirt, sand or gravel roads at up to 30 miles per hour. It can run on a combination of electricity, battery and gasoline to reduce fuel consumption. It can also capture energy from braking and suspension motion to recharge its electric motors.
Development
With so many different weapons, radios and sensors being used by today’s military, the sheer amount of equipment that must be carried by a vehicle strains the load-carrying capabilities and mobility of traditional jeeps. This led the Pentagon to look for a new vehicle that would be as versatile as possible, and that’s how the Humvee was developed.
Designed to replace all of the Army’s M151 jeeps and myriad of light trucks, the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee) was meant to be a jack-of-all-trades vehicle that could handle cargo, personnel and even ambulance missions. The resulting vehicle met the military’s requirements for reliability, availability and maintainability, and it has since become one of the world’s most popular military vehicles.
The HMMWV is also very versatile, with 15 configurations and 44 parts that are common across all of them. This translates to fewer training hours for mechanics and reduced life-cycle costs, which saves taxpayer dollars. And if that weren’t enough, it can survive a variety of environments and conditions, from rocky hills to deep sand to arctic snow.
In today’s conflict zones, the military must operate with a new set of rules than those that were established in previous wars. This includes being able to operate in cities and towns, where civilians can easily blend in and be mistaken for fighters. Developing a flying Humvee that can carry soldiers and the necessary gear to these places is important, as is ensuring they are safe from threats such as roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices.
To do this, the Pentagon is partnering with three large defense contractors to create the vehicle. Rocketdyne will develop the engines, while Lockheed Martin and AAI Corp are handling the design and construction of the vehicle’s wings, propulsion, materials and controls. The main goal is to have a prototype by 2024 that can get off the ground and fly up to 4,000 feet.
In the meantime, QinetiQ and AM General are working together to develop a hybrid concept of the HUMVEE that will demonstrate how electric drive can transform military land vehicles. This will be the first step in an ambitious programme that will explore how electrification can deliver enhanced performance and decarbonise military operations.
Production
In 1979, the Army began preliminary design work on a new vehicle to replace its aging jeeps. It envisioned a light tactical vehicle that could carry modern communications and weapons systems without straining the load-carrying capability of its previous jeeps. But it would also need to be capable of traversing rough terrain and moving quickly across the battlefield.
Its development was expedited when the military announced a request for proposals (RFP) that would combine separate solicitations for a jeep and a truck, giving its winning bidder the opportunity to develop both vehicles. Eventually, the Army chose AM General, which already had a strong connection to the military with its parent company AMC’s long line of military equipment. It beat out Teledyne Continental and Chrysler Defense—acquired by General Dynamics—to create prototypes of its High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), more commonly referred to as the Humvee.
HMMWVs were produced in a number of variants, including the M998 Series, which was adapted for troop transport and equipped with weapons systems. Several other variants include the M1025 and M1026, which are used for reconnaissance and security missions. The M1035 and M1036 are utility variants that offer rear cargo space, towing capacity, and a 9,000-pound winch.
AM General’s HMMWV was an immediate success when it entered service in 1984 with the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Army. The military’s satisfaction with the vehicle spurred an expansion of its production.
The Humvee has played a critical role in the military’s global operations. Its extraordinary off-road performance and problem-solving abilities have helped soldiers overcome difficult obstacles. The vehicle has also proved itself in civilian use. It’s a common sight in disaster response, thanks to its ruggedness and speed.
Despite the Army’s efforts to prioritize the JLTV, Humvees will continue in some form for decades. With cost pressures affecting multiple acquisition programs, the Humvee may see a 21st century re-birth as a low-cost unmanned vehicle that could help carry out key missions without the need for human drivers. Adapted with technology like the Autonomous Mobility Applique System, converted Humvees could serve as highly mobile scout vehicles at the front of advancing troops.