The Humvee was designed to ferry US troops across vast expanses of desert. But in Iraq and Afghanistan, roadside improvised explosive devices shredded the vehicles; even up-armored models were often little more than rolling coffins.
While the military will eventually replace many of its old Humvees with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, the HMMWV is expected to remain in service until at least 2050. Civilians are allowed to own them, provided they meet state inspection and titling requirements. Click https://www.streetlegalexports.com/ to learn more.
After running its fleet of Jeeps ragged in Vietnam, the Army decided it needed a new workhorse. It issued a request for proposals in 1979, and three companies were given contracts to create prototypes for what would become known as the Humvee, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. AM General, Chrysler Defense, and Teledyne Continental all worked to build up their designs in testing over rocky hills, deep sand, water, desert heat, and arctic snow.
The Humvee proved to be a massive improvement over the M151 MUTT and M561 Gama Goat light utility vehicles it was designed to replace. It could handle more cargo than the Jeeps, carry a larger load of weapons, and be equipped to perform multiple functions.
Over the decades, thousands of Humvees rolled off the AM General production line and found their way into the armories of troops around the world. They were driven in the streets of Mogadishu during Operation Desert Storm, towed down highways by helicopters, and slung inside the belly of a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
During the War on Terror, Humvees were assaulted by machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades in urban combat. They were also easy prey for improvised explosive devices and landmines. At the height of the conflict, over 67 US soldiers died in Humvees in four months.
But the Humvee has been pushed so far beyond its limits that it’s now becoming obsolete. The military is replacing it with a new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which is not only more capable but also easier to use than the older model. But the JLTV isn’t just an upgrade—it’s intimidating to see rolling into battle. So how did the Humvee go from testosterone-fueled fanfare to near irrelevance?
The HMMWV’s Design
The HMMWV was designed to replace the M151 MUTT, Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle fleets, and the M561 6×6 Gama Goat, which had been the Army’s primary transport vehicles before 1979. The US Army issued a draft specification for the new car, and three companies were given contracts to develop prototypes for testing. AM General’s entry, dubbed the Humvee by the military, won the contract and, over two decades of use, has been the workhorse of the United States Armed Forces.
Designed to meet the Army’s requirements for Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Survivability (RAM-D), the HMMWV is built on a standardized chassis that allows for 15 configurations to support various weapons, command-and-control systems, ambulatory systems, ammunition, and cargo transportation. The HMMWV’s steel frame has boxed frame rails and five cross members constructed from high-grade alloy steel and E-coated for corrosion protection. Aluminum body panels reduce weight and add to the vehicle’s resistance to damage. The chassis and body are designed to flex to accommodate off-road stresses.
In the troop version of the HMMWV, bench seats are installed in front of the driver and passenger and can be covered with either a low or high profile soft top. The cab can be equipped with weapons mounts or used without them to carry up to eight troops and their equipment. The cargo version of the HMMWV looks more like a pickup truck and can be used with both an open or enclosed rear.
Unlike some competing military vehicles, the HMMWV has a single rear wheel that is driven. This improves ride quality and provides better control. The HMMWV also has independent rear suspension, which allows the wheels to move in different directions independently and reduces sway. The HMMWV is also lighter than many competing vehicles, and its cab is designed to be able to roll over obstacles without damaging the vehicle.
The HMMWV’s Armor
When it was obvious that the HMMWV was not going to be able to protect its crews against roadside bombs and RPGs, the Army started to look at ways to armor them. However, the original vehicle was not built with enough space to add much more than a bolt-on armor kit. The first of these, made by Aberdeen, became known as the Armor Survivability Kit or ASK. It added about 1,000 pounds of armor to the cab and protected against HE fragments, but not shrapnel. It also added armored doors and ballistic-resistant windows. TACOM then tasked other producers to make armor kits for the vehicle’s cargo compartment, which replaced the cab. They were called Level II add-on armor kits and were meant to protect the occupants from IEDs, mortars and small arms fire. These were not as easy to remove as the ASK, but they were more effective at protecting against the threats in Iraq.
The HMMWV’s high power-to-weight ratio, four wheel drive and excellent ground clearance allow it to easily traverse tough terrain. It is also easily transportable by C-130s or larger combat aircraft, or can be sling-loaded from helicopters. The HMMWV also has a low maintenance cost thanks to its all-steel frame and 44 parts that are used in more than one configuration.
The HMMWV was also updated with the improved M1114. This vehicle is more heavily armored and includes a driver’s compartment that can withstand small arms fire and the blast of a roadside bomb. It is easier to maintain than the older vehicles and has better visibility thanks to its transparent armored glass. It also has a more powerful engine and better suspension system. In addition to its domestic models, AM General has produced international versions of the Humvee with partnerships with foreign companies.
The HMMWV’s Modifications
The HMMWV is known for its reliability, but it’s also been modified to improve its safety and performance. For example, some models have been fitted with a Counter Unmanned Aircraft System designed to track, identify and defeat drones in flight. Others have been equipped with a watertight engine capable of driving underwater. These upgrades make it easy to take the HMMWV on the road safely and legally, even in bad weather.
The HMMWV was designed to replace the Army’s light tactical vehicles and is available in 15 configurations, including cargo/troop carrier, weapon carrier, TOW missile system carrier and two ambulance variants (a 2-litter and 4-litter). The vehicle’s primary functions include command-and-control, armament and ambulatory support for troops. The HMMWV is a rugged, highly reliable vehicle that’s easy to maintain and repair.
In addition, the HMMWV’s modularity makes it easy to adapt to changing needs and mission profiles. The chassis and powertrain are easily modified to support different platforms. Using a common design allows for reduced training and maintenance hours, which saves the military time and money.
For example, a common set of parts and a standard transmission allow for the conversion of the HMMWV from a troop carrier to an armored fighting vehicle. The HMMWV is also capable of towing and transporting heavy loads, making it an ideal logistical vehicle.
Despite its many modifications, the HMMWV is still a formidable piece of military equipment that’s used by soldiers worldwide. While HMMWVs were initially pressed into front line combat roles for which they weren’t originally intended, their high survivability and load-carrying capacity enabled them to endure many of the battles in urban environments such as Mogadishu.
The HMMWV’s Future
Many military commanders would love to replace the Humvee with something more modern, but it’s not practical for the Army to mount everyone in 70-ton vehicles. And while the next-generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is certainly coming, it’s not here yet, so there will be plenty of need for these rugged trucks for years to come.
One of the reasons why the HMMWV is still going strong is that its basic design makes it easy to add new capabilities as needed. For example, some HMMWVs have been outfitted with the CROWS weapon station that allows soldiers to fire machine guns from the safety of the back seat without exposing themselves to enemy fire. Other HMMWVs have been fitted with the Boomerang anti-sniper system to provide troops with a real-time target location when someone is sniping from behind.
The HMMWV’s modular design also means that it is easy to adapt to changing missions and environments. For instance, it is common for HMMWVs to be equipped with additional armor to give them extra protection from roadside bombs and other threats. These armor kits are relatively inexpensive and can be added as needed.
In addition to its ability to be adapted to evolving mission requirements, the HMMWV is a reliable and survivable vehicle. It meets all of the Army’s Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability (RAM-D) standards. And because the vehicle’s 15 configurations use the same engine, chassis and transmission, maintenance is simplified and training time is reduced.
In fact, the Army has recently achieved a significant milestone by retrofitting its entire fleet of HMMWVs with ABS and ESC. This is a major safety advancement that will greatly reduce the risk of rollover accidents, which are a leading cause of HMMWV fatalities. The project is being conducted by the Army’s Tank-automotive & Armaments Command, which is working with the Red River Army Depot to maintain an aggressive op tempo installing the life-saving ABS/ESC kits.