KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) — As Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder trains Afghan National Army soldiers to drive up-armored Humvees at the Kabul Military Training Center; they know their students are entering a dangerous world. Click the Military Humvee For Sale to learn more.
Despite their reputation as warhorses, Humvees have never been foolproof. But they are far more reliable than their JLTV rivals and much easier to keep running than 25-ton Strykers or 40-ton M1 Abrams tanks.
The military Humvee (also known as the HMMWV) is one of the most distinctive vehicles on the planet. Originally developed by AM General, the Humvee family of light, four-wheel drive trucks and utility vehicles is used by numerous militaries worldwide. It largely replaced the old M151 jeeps, M561 “Gama Goat” and other light trucks. While some people confuse the HMMWV with its civilian counterpart, the Hummer, the two are actually quite different under the skin.
The HMMWV is a formidable off-road vehicle, capable of traversing virtually any terrain with ease. It features portal axles that raise the drivetrain up above the wheel hubs, allowing for maximum ground clearance. Moreover, the vehicle can be equipped with a variety of weapons systems, such as a turret-mounted machine gun or a grenade launcher. In fact, the HMMWV even made an appearance in the 2005 film War of the Worlds as part of the military forces that were battling alien invaders.
There are 15 variants of the HMMWV, each designed for different purposes. While some look almost identical to the others, they all share the same basic frame, drive train geometry and suspension. The Army uses these vehicles as troop or cargo transports, armored personnel carriers, shelter carriers (a vehicle meant to transport electronic equipment) and ambulances.
A basic HMMWV requires only a single crew member, the driver, but can be configured with additional seats for passengers. These seats are arranged in a one-plus-one or two-plus-two pattern, depending on the model of the vehicle. In addition to providing plenty of space for passengers, the seats also provide a low center of gravity and extra stability.
The Humvee is also much more heavily armored than the open jeeps it replaced. While it does not come close to matching the protection level of the heavy armored personnel carrier (APC) or mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP), the Humvee offers multiple orders of magnitude more protection from bullets and roadside bombs. In short, it’s the closest thing to a tank that the US Army has. This makes it a valuable asset in warzones and an intimidating prospect for would-be attackers.
The Power
Humvees are incredibly powerful vehicles. They can climb steep hills and drive off-road with ease. They have the ability to traverse waterways and are equipped with a waterproof engine capable of driving underwater. They are designed with a unique system of axels that connect to the top of the tire, meaning they are able to stay higher off the ground than your average truck.
Originally, the US military used the Humvee to transport soldiers and supplies. But as the insurgency in Iraq grew, they were used to carry bombs and other weaponry. In the first four months of 2006 alone, 67 troops travelling in Humvees were killed by IED attacks. In an effort to increase the safety of the drivers, the Army began to add more armour and upgrade the engines. But this made the vehicles slow and lumbering – not to mention loud and vibrating.
This led to the Army seeking a new light tactical vehicle that was more versatile and better suited to the challenges of modern warfare. In 1979, the Army issued a design requirement for a high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle to replace its fleet of M151 Jeeps and M561 Gama Goats. The winning design came from a company called AM General, and they called their new vehicle the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee.
The Humvee is a modular vehicle with 15 configurations, including cargo/troop carriers, weapons carriers, ambulances and shelter carriers. It has 44 parts that can be used in multiple positions, allowing for easier maintenance and lower life-cycle costs. It also scored highly in the Army’s RAM-D (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability) criteria.
In addition to their extreme power and ruggedness, the Humvee is known for its ability to quickly deploy. They are able to be dropped off at low altitudes by helicopter and can be transported by C-130 Hercules and other aircraft. They can even be carried inside a helicopter and lowered by a wire to land on the ground.
Unlike some military surplus equipment, the Humvee can be sold to the public intact. It can be purchased from government auction organizations like IronPlanet. However, it must undergo a demilitarization process. This includes removing any weapons and communication equipment that are restricted from export. Depending on the code, the Humvee can either be considered unarmed and can be sold without restriction or must be destroyed.
The Protection
The military’s Humvee was designed in the 1980s, before improvised explosive devices fundamentally changed the requirements for ground vehicles. The vehicle was designed to be a transport truck and a light fire support vehicle, both of which Garza drove during his tour of duty. During his time in Iraq with the 370th Transportation Company, the HMMWVs were also paired with convoy escort trucks that were driven by platoon members and designated as gun trucks.
But the military has made several upgrades to the HMMWV, adding armor and other protective features. These upgrades were largely inspired by the need to protect soldiers from roadside bombs and other small arms threats. The HMMWV has been upgraded from its original unarmored design, which was seen as particularly vulnerable to IEDs in the Iraq War. The Army has also up-armored select vehicles with the MRAP, which is replacing front-line Humvees in the JLTV program.
A MRAP can be a formidable opponent in a clash with conventional forces, but it’s not built to go toe-to-toe with near-peer adversaries, Wood said. Even with the armor, a MRAP can still be destroyed by an anti-tank missile or by a rocket-propelled grenade launched at close range, he added.
There are at least 17 different HMMWV variants in use with the military today, and many of them offer different types of protection and add-ons to improve their capabilities. In addition, the military also has a surplus process that allows certain Humvees to be sold to the public if they don’t have restricted United States Munitions List equipment. These Humvees undergo a demilitarization process, which involves removing the weapons, communication equipment, and any other restricted items from the vehicle.
The military has publicly stated that it can demilitarize Humvees with bolt-on armor in as little as 6-7 labor hours, but the process could take longer for vehicles with other add-ons. This is due to the fact that they may need to disassemble and remove the armor before a civilian contractor can remove it.
While the Humvee’s days as the primary military vehicle in America are probably coming to an end, it’s hard to imagine the Marine Corps and other branches of the military turning away from the iconic vehicle that has served so well for so long. Regardless of what replaces the Humvee, the development that it inspired will continue to push the military forward in terms of better vehicles and safer protection for its personnel.
The Style
The HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) is one of the most versatile military vehicles ever created. It was first introduced in the 1980s and became popular among all branches of the military. It has gone to war in many places all over the world and is considered a staple of the US Military. Its popularity has spawned several civilian adaptations, including the Hummer brand.
The Humvee is a unique vehicle. It rides higher than any other truck on the market without becoming too tall. The reason for this is because the engine and drivetrain are sucked up into the cabin, lowering the roof height and leaving enough room underneath for the vehicle to be functional.
Another unique feature of the HMMWV is its portal axles. These allow drivers to get maximum ground clearance over rough terrain, even with a full load. This makes it a formidable off-road vehicle capable of handling all types of conditions. It also means that the vehicle can be equipped with a variety of armor protection systems, machine gun turrets and more.
In addition to its off-road capabilities, the HMMWV has a simple design that allows it to be built in various configurations to suit different needs. This includes a cargo/troop carrier, weapons carrier, ambulance and shelter carrier. Having 15 different variations of the same basic vehicle is not only economical, but it also cuts down on maintenance costs since most parts are interchangeable.
Although the military has largely moved on to the more advanced JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle), they still hang on to their fleet of Humvees. It’s a good thing they do, too. The last big fight saw the venerable Humvees make a huge difference in saving lives.
If you’re looking for a rugged off-road vehicle that can do it all, then look no further than the Military Humvee. With its unique capabilities and incredible specifications, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way. Just remember to check local regulations before driving your new Humvee on the road! The best part is, you can bid on and buy your very own today.