The Humvee is a versatile vehicle that can take on many different roles. It’s designed to operate across a variety of terrain and can be modified for specialized missions.
In the 1980s, the Army set out to replace its old jeeps. AM General won the contract to produce the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, the Humvee. Contact Street Legal Exports now!
The Humvee (also known as the HMMWV) has been a staple of military vehicles for decades. It first gained fame in 1991 during the Gulf War, where its rugged off-road capabilities allowed it to navigate difficult desert terrain easily. It quickly became a symbol of American military might, appearing in news footage and war documentaries. The HMMWV’s popularity helped inspire civilian Hummer vehicles, which are still widely used around the world.
The Army began developing the Humvee in the late 1970s, seeking a versatile and durable light tactical vehicle that would replace its ageing fleet of M561 Gama Goats and M151 Jeeps. After a period of testing, it finalized the specifications for what was eventually to become the Humvee. The vehicle was designed as a true jack-of-all-trades, capable of being configured in several different ways to serve different roles, including weapons transport, utility vehicle, and field ambulance.
While the Humvee proved itself in combat, it was less successful when deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where it was frequently targeted by roadside bombs and was prone to rollover accidents. The Army hastily up-armored select models and began replacing them with more advanced new trucks, such as the MRAP and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
Although the Humvee may have lost some of its luster due to the proliferation of more advanced military technology, it remains a vital component of the US Army’s wheeled vehicle fleet. With a contract that runs until 2007, the company manufacturing it, AM General, expects to continue producing it into 2050. Its off-road capabilities, versatility, and durability make it a valued asset in many environments, from foreign battlefields to suburban soccer fields.
Design
The original Humvee design was a trailblazer in military transportation, leveraging advanced technologies and input from seasoned military professionals. The resulting vehicle emphasized durability, adaptability and agility in challenging operational environments, transforming the concept of military vehicles as we know it today.
To enhance the vehicle’s defense capabilities, the original Humvee design featured reinforced doors and windows. These additions provided the protection service members needed while patrolling dangerous cities, but they also put unnecessary strain on the engine, transmission and drivetrain. This extra weight caused the vehicle to be slow, clumsy and prone to rollovers. It also accelerated wear on the armor and caused the vehicles to jam during attacks.
Despite these problems, the Humvee still enjoyed some success in Iraq and Afghanistan. But as the threat of IEDs and car bombs increased, the Humvee began to lose popularity with soldiers. Eventually, service members were modifying their vehicles to remove armor and doors, making them lighter and more manoeuvrable. However, this compromised the safety of service members, who could be killed by the bombs and gunfire they were exposed to.
In 2018, the Army and Marine Corps began replacing the Humvee with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. The JLTV was built to better handle the new threats facing front line troops, including IEDs and roadside bombs. It also features stronger armor, a larger, mine-resistant hull, longer suspension travel and locking differentials. While the JLTV is more expensive than the Humvee, it’s expected to save money in the long run due to its longevity and lower maintenance costs. Moreover, the JLTV’s fuel efficiency is also superior to the Humvee’s.
Engines
The Humvee is a military vehicle with a big reputation. The funny-looking 4×4 has conquered mud, sand and rocks; evaded detection by aircraft; been dangled from helicopters; and taken on a variety of missions. Its hull deflects bullets, and it can carry a 105mm howitzer or roof-mounted tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) anti-tank missile.
Over the years, engineers have morphed this light, four-wheel drive truck into a wide variety of different configurations. They created versions to act as ambulances, troop transports and even pseudo-tanks. It’s also powered by a turbocharged 6.5-liter V8 diesel engine.
HMMWVs are designed for reliability, maintainability and survivability. They score high on the RAM-D military rating scale. The military requires them to be able to operate in extreme temperatures, have good road capability and withstand attacks.
But after the push into Iraq in 2003, the Humvee began its transformation from desert taxi to urban commuter. The Humvee was no longer whisking soldiers and Marines across vast expanses of sand; it was taking them through the world’s most dangerous streets. These vehicles were often hit by roadside improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades, which caused the aluminum body to become little more than a rolling coffin.
The Army realized the need to change the Humvee to meet these new demands. They developed the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) armored vehicle. The MRAP is more heavily armored than the Humvee, and its V-shaped hull can deflect explosions away from the vehicle. It was also lighter and faster than a Humvee, which made it less likely to be trapped by enemy fire.
The Humvee and MRAP are now being replaced by the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. This truck has better armor; a more spacious interior; locking differentials; and a 400-horsepower diesel engine that leaves the best Humvee engines in the dust.
Modifications
A number of modifications have been made to the Humvee over the years, from upgrades to its engine to improved suspension. These changes help the vehicle overcome obstacles that would stop other vehicles in their tracks and make it more versatile for military missions.
Originally, the Humvee was designed as an unarmored combat support vehicle to replace other light military trucks, including the jeeps used in the Vietnam War. It conquered the desert terrain of the Gulf War and went on to inspire civilian Hummer models, but in the Iraq War, it became more vulnerable to improvised explosive devices. As a result, the U.S. hastily up-armored some of the Humvee fleet and replaced frontline units with the MRAP.
In a troop carrier configuration, the Humvee can carry a nine-man squad and supplies. It can also be configured for armed patrols and as an ambulance. The Expanded Capacity Vehicle, or ECV, version of the Humvee is even more modular and can be adapted to various missions.
The Humvee has a surprisingly nimble off-road handling system, thanks to its independent front and rear suspensions and advanced shock absorbers. Its aluminum body helps keep its weight down, while allowing it to flex and maneuver over harsh terrain. The vehicle can also traverse a variety of waterways, with up to 60 inches of fording capability. Upgrades to the Humvee interior are another way that it can be customized for specific missions. For example, seat upgrades can provide increased comfort and ergonomic support. Dashboard upgrades are also available, providing a sleek and modern design that can complement the overall aesthetic of the vehicle. In addition, custom storage solutions can be added to improve organization and convenience.
Variations
The Humvee is arguably the most versatile vehicle in the military, able to be modified into an open-top scout vehicle, armored personnel carrier, TOW missile launcher, ambulance, communications platform and even a light attack helicopter. It has high off-road mobility thanks to double-A-arm independent suspension front and rear, hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers and three-speed automatic transmission with a two-speed locking differential.
It has 44 interchangeable parts, allowing for quick and easy repairs. And it’s also incredibly durable. The brakes are built into the axel, not on the wheels, which reduces wear and tear and makes it easier to replace damaged ones. The chassis is made of aluminum and fiberglass, which are lightweight yet sturdy. And its fuel-efficient diesel engine gets better gas mileage than the typical pickup truck, which uses a heavier, less reliable gasoline engine.
The Army first deployed a version of the Humvee in 1989 as part of Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama. The trucks quickly became a staple of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, where they provided troops with a combination of mobility and firepower. They can be armed with everything from a.50-caliber machine gun to a roof-mounted tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided anti-tank missile. And they’re often painted in a distinctive color scheme, with the Iraqi Federal Police driving versions with a flashy blue-and-white camouflage pattern and the specialized Rapid Response Division using a solid green color.
But the Humvee is starting to get old, and it’s being replaced with a newer model called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. According to a recent deep dive by Motor Trend, the JLTV is lighter and faster than a Humvee, with better armor and a mine-resistant hull. It’s also a more comfortable ride for the troops, with improved seats and a more powerful engine.