When the military’s workhorse, the High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or Humvee was first introduced in the 1980s, it became popular as a troop transport, weapons carrier and ambulance. Its speed and manoeuvrability was impressive in rough or mountainous terrain, but it didn’t fare well in urban combat.

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In 1981, the Army was looking for a replacement for the Jeep and other older Military light utility vehicles. It awarded AM General Corporation a contract to build what would later be known as the Humvee, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.

The new trucks proved themselves in the desert, tackling miles of rugged terrain while whisking soldiers to their destinations. They could clear a 16-inch obstacle under their lowest point, cross side slopes that would topple traditional 4X4s and carry a useful 2,500-pound payload. The Army was so impressed with these powerhouses that it quickly ordered 55,000 of them from AM General in 1983.

Nicknamed Humvee, the vehicles became a familiar sight in the Gulf War in 1991 and the subsequent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. It was at these times that the Humvee’s greatest challenge emerged. Designed as an open-terrain workhorse, the aluminum body of the truck was as effective against roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades as tissue paper.

The Army responded to the IED threat by ordering thousands of armour kits that added some protection. But the insurgents also found ways to use explosive devices to breach the hull and kill the occupants. The need for a completely different type of vehicle that could handle the open-terrain and urban challenges of modern warfare became apparent, and the Humvee’s era was nearing its end.

In 2018, the Army began replacing its fleet of Humvees with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which boasts an improved chassis, longer suspension travel, better armor and a 400-horsepower turbo diesel engine that leaves the best Humvee engines in the dust. This new model is expected to replace the remaining Humvees into the 2030s.

Modifications

The original HMMWV, now better known as the Humvee, has been around for over forty years and remains the primary tactical vehicle in many military units. It is a versatile platform that has allowed for countless modifications. In many cases these have been driven by the need for improved performance, often as a result of the need to carry heavier loads than the vehicle was originally designed to support.

The HMMWV, or Humvee as it is commonly called, was developed by AM General to replace the aging jeep in the US military. It is a four-wheel drive, all-terrain vehicle that was well-showcased in the 1991 Gulf War and has since become the modern workhorse of the US military.

It is an extremely flexible platform that can be converted into three different configurations: weapons carrier, utility vehicle and field ambulance. In these versions, it can haul cargo and equipment, conduct front-line reconnaissance patrols and function as a mobile command post. In addition, it can be equipped with a variety of communication and detection systems. It can also be equipped with various armored body modules to protect the crew from small arms fire and roadside bombs. The vehicles are also easily transportable by helicopter, as the telescoping body can be raised or lowered to accommodate the varying sizes of the cargo containers.

While the HMMWV can carry much more weight than a standard jeep, it is still vulnerable to mines and IEDs. To combat this, a number of modifications have been implemented to improve the vehicle’s ground clearance and off-road capabilities. These include a larger track and larger tires, as well as more powerful engine options and suspension upgrades. These changes have significantly increased the off-road capabilities of the Humvee and have made it a very capable and useful vehicle.

One of the major modifications to the HMMWV is the installation of an anti-lock brake and electronic stability control system. This upgrade is expected to reduce stopping distances, reduce component wear and bolster the vehicle’s operational readiness. The upgrade has already been implemented on thousands of HMMWVs and is being installed in more as time goes by.

Variations

The HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) is a vehicle that has evolved over time with numerous variants and models. It is the most widely used vehicle in the US Army with more than 100,000 of them owned by the military. The other services together operate fewer than 24,000.

The original HMMWV was designed to replace jeeps that were nearing the end of their usefulness, but it has gone on to play an important role in the world’s militaries. Its versatile design has spawned many variants, including vehicles equipped to carry bombs, serve as command vehicles and perform other tasks.

Its sturdy construction made it a great choice for off-road warfare, but it wasn’t built to handle urban combat. In crowded streets, it often sat idle as infantry soldiers cleared a building. This made them sitting ducks for insurgent attacks.

To address this issue, the military began purchasing armour kits for Humvees. These could be installed on existing vehicles, and would protect against IEDs and other roadside explosive devices. However, the insurgency found ways to penetrate the armor and kill troops. In the first four months of 2006, 67 US service members were killed in attacks on vehicles with heavy armour.

In response, AM General developed a new variant of the Humvee that it called the Expanded Capacity Vehicle, or ECV. This included a larger engine and an improved suspension. It could also be configured with different weapons systems and was capable of carrying more cargo than the standard HMMWV.

AM General has continued to modify the Humvee over time. It developed the reliability extended Humvee, which includes new cool pack and shroud, a redesigned geared fan drive, improved parking brakes, new A-arm bushings, a reengineered geared hub assembly and more. It can be fitted to all Humvee models.

AM General has also sold the HMMWV to a number of foreign governments. The Mexican Army is one of them, and they have modified the vehicle to suit their needs. They have added a layer of additional protection that is unique to their vehicle, and have also added bulletproof windows.

Future

The Humvee may be taking a backseat to the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and the armored vehicles in the MRAP fleet, but it is still a vital part of the military’s wheeled vehicle fleet. Its longevity and critical mission roles will ensure its presence for decades, and the Army is working to find a balance between prioritizing platforms of the future and maintaining and enhancing those of today.

For example, the new JLTV has an upgraded powertrain and simplified electrical architecture that can accommodate hybridization in the future, while improving noise reduction and corrosion protection. In two or three years, the Army will field JLTVs to some infantry brigade combat teams to see how they function alongside the older Humvees. This will help the service gain a better understanding of the mission roles each vehicle will fill to determine how they can operate together, Fullmer said.

Despite the JLTV’s superior performance in the last big fight, the military is likely to hang on to some Humvees as an insurance policy against a future conflict, Landis says. Searching DVIDS will turn up images and videos of the iconic vehicles in locations around the globe. They have been deployed in the United States, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Australia, Germany, Kuwait, South Korea, and Afghanistan, as well as other parts of Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia.

In an effort to keep its iconic brand relevant, Humvee manufacturer AM General is embracing change and modern technology. The Indiana-based company’s new leader, Jim Cannon, has pledged to pursue vehicle electrification, autonomous technologies, and survivability improvements, which align with the Defense Department’s modernization needs.

In fact, one of AM General’s latest innovations is a fully autonomous Humvee that can carry all the same equipment and weapons without putting soldiers in harm’s way. This uncrewed ground vehicle can drive, park, and refuel without the need for an operator, which will save the military money and reduce its vulnerability to insurgent attacks. The vehicle could also be used for medical evacuation missions and humanitarian aid operations in places where the military isn’t allowed to deploy its own forces.