Manufactured by AM General, the Humvee (or HMMWV — it’s pronounced “hummer”) is the cornerstone of the US Army’s wheeled vehicle fleet. These vehicles are so versatile that they can be configured for almost anything from troop transport to reconnaissance.
Despite their intimidating looks, Humvees are actually quite agile and can navigate a wide variety of terrain. This article will explore some of the most interesting Humvee facts. If you want a Humvee Vehicle, click the Humvee For Sale to learn more.
The humvee is the face of power projection for the US Army and US Marine Corps. It is categorically the most iconic and legendary piece of military hardware ever made. When it first hit the scene in 1984, it was a breakthrough. It was the first vehicle to use a computerised navigation system, a mobile communication network, a fire suppression system, and an integrated braking system.
It has full-time four-wheel drive & independent suspension along with 37-inch tires which can climb slopes of 60 percent. It can travel at 70 mph and is powered by a V8 diesel 6.2 litre engine. Despite its boxy and ungainly appearance, it has incredible off-road capabilities and can be modified to meet a wide range of needs.
The most common humvee is the M998 model, which can be equipped with a variety of weapons systems. Other versions include the M1025 and M1026, which are armed with a turret-mounted machine gun for reconnaissance missions. There is also the M1035 and M1036, which are designed as utility vehicles with a rear cargo area and towing capacity.
Although the humvee is still used around the world, it is being replaced in frontline service by newer vehicles such as the Oshkosh JLTV. This is because the HMMWV was not originally designed for front-line combat, and it can be very vulnerable to IEDs and other insurgency attacks that have resulted in high American casualties.
The newer JLTV is much better protected than the humvee, and it can be modified to provide even more protection. Miles Fiberglass offers a number of humvee composite panel reinforcement kits that can help to improve the protection and longevity of this vital military equipment.
Design
From the weird armored cars of World War I to the modern Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles of today, the United States military has had a lot of motorized land vehicles in its history. But it’s probably safe to say that none of them are more iconic than the humvee.
The HMMWV, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV is the official designation), was first introduced to the Army in the 1980s and quickly became popular among soldiers. In fact, it was so popular that the soldiers started calling it “humvee,” an informal derivation of the acronym HMMWV.
Unlike the jeeps that preceded it, the humvee was designed to do more than transport equipment and people over rough terrain. The Army wanted a more maneuverable vehicle that could be dropped from a helicopter and easily adapted to various missions.
To achieve this, the humvee was designed with independent front and rear suspension systems, advanced shock absorbers and torque-biasing differentials. The humvee also has an aluminum body, which reduces the vehicle’s weight and makes it easier to maintain.
The humvee has also been adapted for many different uses, including as an ambulance and a cargo hauler. Its versatility has made it an important part of the military’s fleet. It’s even used by some private companies for civilian applications.
Although the humvee is an excellent military utility vehicle, it’s not the best option for front-line combat. That’s why the Army is replacing it with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The JLTV has a number of improvements that make it a better vehicle for front-line combat. For example, it has an automatic transmission, which is more familiar to American troops and saves money on repairs for manual transmissions that are prone to failure.
Engine
The Humvee is a military vehicle that is used by many branches of the US military. It has a unique name that comes from its full military designation, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). It has become one of the most well-known vehicles in the world. It is used around the globe and is even available in civilian form.
The HMMWV has four-wheel drive and can be driven in either forward or reverse. It is able to climb 60% slopes and can ford bodies of water up to 6 inches deep. The HMMWV also has a powerful engine that can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. It can also be modified to meet a variety of needs.
There are many different configurations of the HMMWV, including cargo and troop carriers, weapons carriers, ambulances, and shelter carriers. However, they all have a common engine and chassis. This allows mechanics to repair the vehicle quickly and efficiently. The HMMWV can be equipped with anything from a mounted machine gun to a wire-guided anti-tank missile launcher.
In 2021, the HMMWV began to be replaced with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The JLTV is more maneuverable and has better armor than the humvee. It is also a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
The JLTV has a more advanced engine than the humvee, with 400 horsepower and the ability to go over 60 miles per hour. It also has a stronger, more flexible suspension and locking differentials that can tackle the roughest terrain. The HMMWV has a more complex powertrain and is heavier than the JLTV. The Army and Marine Corps are currently using the JLTV in the field and will continue to replace HMMWVs with it into 2025.
Modifications
A humvee can be modified with a wide range of armor and weapon systems. Some of these include the M2HB.50 caliber heavy machine gun, Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and the BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile system. These weapons are primarily used by the military, but civilian adaptations of a humvee are also available.
The original HMMWV was designed as a light, four-wheel drive truck that could carry people and equipment through difficult terrain. It has a full-time four-wheel drive system that uses two independently-swiveling front and rear axles to provide more traction in challenging conditions. In addition, it has double wishbone independent suspension at each corner that allows up to 16 inches of travel. This allows the Humvee to traverse terrain that would stop other vehicles in their tracks.
Humvees have a low center of gravity and can be driven by only one person, the driver. They can travel up to 70 miles per hour and climb slopes of 60 percent. They are also designed to require minimal maintenance, and they have a number of interchangeable parts so that mechanics can fix them quickly and easily.
Some HMMWVs are equipped with a high-end armour fragmentation kit five (FK 5) and an objective gunner’s protection kit to protect against IED blasts and small arms fire. These kits can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries to the driver and passengers. Another important modification is an automatic transmission. This is because most soldiers learn to drive in cars that have an automatic transmission, and it is easier for them to adapt to this type of vehicle. Miles Fiberglass also offers a Humvee composite panel reinforcement kit to help repair cracking hoods.
Armor
The original Humvee was a smash hit right out of the gate. Its big bruiser look, off-road prowess and killer soundtrack captivated both military personnel and civilians alike. It crushed miles of desert and paved city streets with ease. But it was in a different kind of terrain that the Humvee was to find its greatest challenge. Roadside bombs and small arms fire were causing increasing numbers of casualties for troops manning the soft-skinned vehicles.
The armor of a humvee is designed to stop most sniper fire, but it can also be damaged by RPGs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The US Army’s Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) commissioned three manufacturers to develop add-on armor for the trucks. These add-ons are called FRAG kits. They were able to increase the protection level of the vehicle without adding much weight.
One of the more popular FRAG kits was Kit #5. It replaced the doors and side armor of the vehicle, while maintaining a relatively light weight. It could be flown into combat zones on C-17s, and armed forces in theater were able to install it themselves.
Kit #5 was followed by other FRAG kits that added additional levels of protection to the HMMWV. By 2004, the Army had more than 2,000 armored Humvees in Iraq.
It is possible to purchase armor plates from the Army for your humvee through back channels and other unofficial means, but it would be difficult for someone to get a full armored Humvee on their own. This is because the military does not sell their equipment to the public directly, but it does sell some through official channels. Some of this gear is even mixed into scrap streams and ends up being recycled for civilian uses.