Whether foreign battlefields or suburban soccer fields, the Humvee has conquered them all. But as warfare evolves, can the mighty workhorse keep up?
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Big, boxy, and with a wheel at every corner, the Humvee is the epitome of no-nonsense military practicality. Known as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or HMMWV, it’s served across multiple conflicts and is still used today. With over 30 years of production, it’s hard to think of another armoured vehicle that embodies the US Army’s brand of military expertise like the Humvee does.
The Humvee’s first brush with fame came in the Panama invasion where it was deployed alongside soldiers to overthrow Manuel Noriega. It received glowing reviews, but it was in the 1991 Persian Gulf War that the Humvee really found its niche. It rolled into combat, negotiated the treacherous desert sand with ease and became an instant media icon thanks to 24-hour news coverage that showed endless images of them on the battlefield.
By the time the Iraq War began in 2003, the Humvee had become an omnipresent fixture in the military. It was responsible for whisking soldiers and marines across vast expanses of sand and acted as an urban taxi in some of the world’s most dangerous cities. It wasn’t designed to take on roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which soon became the main threat that killed 67 US soldiers in the first four months of the conflict.
In order to produce a vehicle that could handle these new dangers, the Army Tank-Automotive Command invited three prominent manufacturers to build prototypes for testing. These included AM General, the maker of the original jeep; Chrysler Defense, which was the defense division of the now defunct AMC automaker; and Teledyne Continental Motors. All three companies produced a version of the Humvee that passed rigorous tests in Arctic and desert conditions.
The Army selected AM General’s prototype and awarded them a contract to produce 55,000 vehicles over a five-year period. The Humvee became the standard light utility vehicle for all branches of the military and has since been exported to countries around the world. It’s also been adapted to serve other purposes, such as fighting wildland fires in the United States.
HMMWV Development
In the late 1970s the US Army began drafting requirements for a new jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle to replace the M561 Gama Goat and M151 Jeeps in service. The military wanted a family of vehicles on a single chassis to perform a variety of roles — cargo/troop transport, weapons carrier and ambulances among others. The result was the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle).
Six companies competed for the contract including American LaFrance, FWD, General Dynamics, Teledyne and AM General. In a series of rigorous testing sessions, General Dynamics’s HMMWV was deemed superior to the other competing trucks. It was awarded the contract in 1982.
The HMMWV has a robust design that includes a flexible body, high-strength steel chassis and a diesel engine capable of doing zero to 30 mph in six to eight seconds. The vehicle is built with aluminum alloy body panels and extrusions to reduce weight and provide resistance against corrosion. In addition, the HMMWV is designed to flex in the middle of its body to absorb shocks. The substructure features boxed frame rails and five cross members constructed from high-grade alloy steel. It is then finished with an E-coat finish to resist corrosion.
A key advantage of the HMMWV is that it uses a single rear wheel to reduce sway when driving over rough terrain. Its low profile and wide stance make it very stable. The Humvee is also built to withstand the effects of indirect fire.
Throughout the years, various models have been developed to meet specific military requirements. In 1996, for example, the M1114 up-armored HMMWV was introduced to increase survivability against roadside bombs. The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle offers increased protection for the crew and the Boomerang anti-sniper detection system can be installed.
Today, the HMMWV continues to play vital roles in military operations around the world. It is likely that the truck will continue to be in use well into the 21st century, even as other, more advanced, vehicles are developed. In fact, a recent development suggests that the Humvee could experience a modern-day rebirth as a mobile unmanned ground vehicle.
HMMWV Design
The HMMWV is designed to be extremely manoeuvrable in all terrain conditions and to offer increased protection for its occupants. It is equipped with a variety of weaponry and utility equipment. It is capable of performing in a range of different roles, including patrol, command and control, and utility. The vehicle is also able to carry a range of payloads and is transportable by air, land, and sea-based vehicles.
There are around 15 different variations of the Humvee, from ambulances to cargo and troop carriers. However, they all share a common chassis and engine. This means that mechanics can quickly and easily fix them if they have any issues. The body of the HMMWV is made from high-strength, lightweight and rust-resistant aluminum. The frame is made from boxed rails, each of which is connected to five cross members for rigidity. This gives the HMMWV a wide range of possibilities for modification, but still maintains the integrity of the chassis.
In addition to a strong chassis, the HMMWV has a high power-to-weight ratio and four wheel drive. This combination allows the vehicle to achieve a top speed of 65mph. The HMMWV can also traverse a variety of terrain, with its high ground clearance allowing it to overcome obstacles that would stop a civilian truck.
The HMMWV also has a modular design, which allows it to be reconfigured for different missions. It can be fitted with a variety of weapons, including machine guns and turrets, and can be modified to carry extra cargo or passengers. It is also possible to add armor kits, which improve the protection of the vehicle and its occupants against attack.
Up-Armored HMMWVs are often used to perform screen missions, patrolling primary lines of communication and reconnaissance for rear area units. They are also able to provide early warning of threat landing and drop zones.
The HMMWV is also equipped with a powerful onboard electrical system, which can be used to provide power for external assets. This system captures and stores energy from the braking and suspension movements of the vehicle, which can then be released at lower rates. This significantly increases the power output of the HMMWV and makes it more effective on extended missions.
HMMWV Production
The HMMWV, nicknamed “humvees” by military personnel, were the result of a US Army requirement in 1979 to replace their fleet of M151 MUTT and CUCV 4×4 light utility vehicles and the 6×6 Gama Goat. There were three companies chosen to submit prototypes for testing, with AM General being the eventual winner. The HMMWV was a complete redesign of the old fleet, with a more road-hugging chassis and improved armor protection.
The first gen HMMWV was designed to be multi-purpose with 15 different configurations including cargo/troop carrier, weapons carrier and ambulance. The HMMWV chassis was built from aluminum body panels that were riveted and bonded together using technologically advanced adhesives. The aluminum body reduced weight and provided superior resistance to corrosion compared to steel. The HMMWV had full-time four-wheel drive with independent suspension, and it was able to clear a 16-inch obstacle and climb or descend 60% grades.
These characteristics made it a versatile vehicle for a wide variety of situations and environments, but the HMMWV was still susceptible to attack by improvised explosive devices or mines. To combat this, the Army began equipping HMMWVs with new technology. The CROWS weapon station slaved a machine gun to the controls in the back seat and allowed it to be fired from inside the vehicle without exposing the crew. The Boomerang sniper suppression system was also used in some vehicles to instantly identify and alert troops to the location of insurgents.
Another important capability of the HMMWV was that it could be easily air transportable and dropped into battle by helicopter. HMMWVs can be sling-loaded or “dropped” from a helicopter, with the vehicle landing on its front wheels and the rear wheels on their secondary legs. Three HMMWVs can be carried in a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and 15 in the larger C-5A Galaxy.
In the 2000s, AM General introduced a more advanced version of the original HMMWV called the HUMVEE SABER. According to AM General, the newest incarnation redefines survivability by offering increased levels of protection in a truly agile light tactical vehicle. Some of these include 360 degree kinetic energy threat protection, under-vehicle blast threat protection, and blast seats.