There are many different types of military vehicles used in modern warfare. One of the most iconic is the HMMWV or Humvee.
These light utility trucks have served across multiple conflicts and are considered a stalwart of the US Army’s wheeled fleet. Read on to learn more about the HMMWV and its many uses. Contact Humvee For Sale now!
The United States military has had a lot of vehicles in its history, but few have been as iconic or well known as the Humvee. This do-anything workhorse is a legend in its own right, dominating desert terrain and tearing through paved city streets like nothing else can. But after decades of frontline service, the Humvee is finally being replaced by a more modern, more capable truck that can better survive roadside bombs and other dangers on today’s battlefields.
The story of the Humvee begins in 1979, when the Army issued a draft specification for the military’s next workhorse. This kicked off a competition between AM General, Chrysler Defense, and Teledyne Continental, who each submitted 11 prototypes. While all three vehicles proved to be capable, AM General’s vehicle won the prize thanks to a combination of high ground clearance, maneuverability, and a powerful diesel engine. The Army chose to name it the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, but the soldiers who used it started calling it the Humvee.
Over the years, the Humvee has become an essential tool for military forces around the world. It has been used in the Gulf War, Operation Just Cause in Panama, and more wars and conflicts. But the most challenging test came when the Humvee was called upon to ferry service members into and out of dangerous cities in Iraq and Afghanistan. This required the addition of heavy armor to protect against bullets and explosions, but this added so much weight that the vehicles became sluggish and prone to rollovers.
In response, the Marine Corps Systems Command created a special program to design a new armored vehicle that could replace the Humvee in these missions. This led to the creation of the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) that featured a V-shaped hull designed to deflect explosive blasts up and away from the vehicle’s occupants.
History
The Humvee has conquered foreign battlefields and suburban soccer fields, but now it’s facing a crisis. With gas prices high and warfare evolving, can the do-anything workhorse still fulfil its military duties?
The story of the Humvee began in the 1970s when the Army realised it needed better vehicles to replace its fleet of M151 Jeeps and M561 Gama Goats. It drafted specifications for a new light tactical vehicle to perform the roles of several existing trucks.
Three contenders were chosen to design and build 11 prototype HMMWVs. The Army tested them over rocky hills, deep sand and snow, desert heat and Arctic conditions. It eventually selected AM General’s design as the winner. The Army nicknamed it a “humvee” and it was soon used in the invasion of Panama and later in the Gulf War.
It also found a civilian home in the form of SUVs. Action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger was an early adopter, and his version came to be known as the Hummer. The rugged design made it a favourite of macho men, even prompting one short-lived campaign that used the slogan, “reclaim your masculinity.”
The biggest blow to Humvee’s reputation came in Iraq and Afghanistan, where roadside bombs shredded the minimally armored Humvees and killed hundreds of troops. In response, the Army began bolting on extra armour, but this added weight hampered the vehicle’s performance and was ultimately counterproductive. The result was a vehicle that was over-engineered, underpowered and unsuited to frontline combat. The military now wants to move on to a new generation of vehicles, and GM has announced plans to scale back, sell off or shut down the division.
Design
The HMMWV, as it’s called by the US military, started life as a jeep-like vehicle that can quickly convert into three different configurations: weapons carrier, utility vehicle or field ambulance. It’s also capable of being tooled up with guns, turrets and missile carriers.
The Humvee’s design features allow it to get traction on terrain that would stop other four-wheel-drive vehicles in their tracks. This is thanks to independent front and rear suspension, advanced shock absorbers, and torque-biasing differentials. Its body is made of aluminum, which is lighter than steel while also being more durable against roadside bombs and other impacts.
During the Iraq War, insurgents used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to kill many US soldiers travelling in the vehicles. This prompted the military to order thousands of armour kits for the vehicles. However, adding so much armour to the already heavy Humvees made them too slow for patrols. This was because the extra weight slowed them down and also reduced their manoeuvrability.
In the hopes of improving its aging fleet, the Army has launched the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. Companies are vying for the contract to produce the new vehicles. It’s hoped that the JLTV will combine the Humvee’s off-road performance with MRAPs’ unrivalled protection against IEDs.
One company that’s trying to make the flying Humvee a reality is DARPA, which has shelled out over 65 million exploratory dollars on this project. DARPA’s plan is to create a ‘robust ground vehicle’ that can transform into a flying VTOL with a 1,000 pound payload and a flight range of 300 miles. It’s expected to have enough armour to take on small arms fire and be capable of being flown remotely in the event that the driver becomes incapacitated.
Engine
The Humvee (or HMMWV, the Army’s full designation for High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) is an extremely versatile military vehicle. It can be configured in 15 different configurations including troop carriers, weapons carriers and ambulances. These different configurations share a common chassis and engine with 44 interchangeable parts, making them easy for mechanics to work on in the field. The Humvee is designed to perform in a wide variety of terrain, from deserts to jungles, and operate for long periods of time with minimal maintenance.
The most important component of the Humvee’s versatility is its engine. It is a four-cylinder diesel engine that uses an air-to-liquid cooling system to prevent overheating in extreme temperatures. This system is also capable of running on fuel mixes from conventional to jet, allowing the Humvee to operate in almost any environment on the planet.
Because the Humvee is designed for use in hostile environments, it must be able to carry a lot of weight. That’s why it’s equipped with a suspension system that is capable of handling such loads. The suspension system is not unlike the systems used by desert racing competitors. Both racers and the military have to deal with extreme travel conditions, but racers don’t usually have to worry about people shooting at them.
Gale Banks is putting together a package for the military that will include a turbo and exhaust brake upfit system that dramatically improves performance, a better transmission than the stock 4L80E, and a suspension upgrade to match the capabilities of the engine. The result will be a vehicle that is ready for anything the Army or other branches of the military, Border Patrol, Secret Service, National Guard, CIA, and others might throw at it.
Transmission
HMMWVs are a military vehicle that performs a multitude of tasks, including transporting troops and equipment over rugged terrain, in the face of potential threat. They also have to be able to navigate a variety of air transportation options, such as C-130 and larger combat transports or be sling-loaded from helicopters. In the past, jeeps and other light trucks were used for these roles but the HMMWV largely supplanted them in 1991, when it entered widespread use.
In order to perform as intended, the HMMWV needs to have plenty of power and be able to withstand extreme travel conditions. Desert racers take on the challenge of extreme travel by using exotic suspension systems, but the military has an additional consideration: people shooting at them.
The original HMMWV was powered by a 6.5L Detroit Diesel, a stout mill that is capable of producing a lot of power and torque. This engine is paired with the venerable 700R4 transmission, which is a good choice but it’s not as smooth or efficient as other GM transmissions available at the time.
For many owners, adding a newer transmission is an option that should not be ignored. It will allow the HMMWV to handle more power and deliver better fuel economy, and it can make driving the vehicle much more enjoyable. The HMMWV will still have plenty of cargo space and the ability to carry large amounts of equipment for long periods of time, but it will be able to do so more easily and quickly. The end result will be a Humvee that is more than capable of taking on the most difficult road conditions, even with a full load of troops and equipment.