The military vehicle known as the Humvee can be outfitted with a variety of guns, turrets, and armor. But adding these modifications puts a lot of strain on the engine, drivetrain, and chassis.
AM General designed the original Humvee for the US military. While a new replacement is being developed, the HMMWV will remain in service until then. Click the Website to learn more.
The Humvee has a storied military history. AM General has produced more than 150,000, and they largely supplanted the roles of older military light utility vehicles such as the original jeeps, the Vietnam-era M151 1/4-short-ton MUTT and its M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, and the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV). It is used around the world in the service of various military armies, and its widespread use in the 1991 Gulf War negotiated treacherous desert terrain with ease. This helped it become a pop-culture icon and helped inspire civilian versions of the truck known as the Hummer.
Its unarmored design made it vulnerable to improvised explosive devices, and the Army hastily up-armored select models after the Iraq War, though it eventually replaced them in frontline military service with the more heavily armored Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The JLTV’s hull is V-shaped to deflect the vertical force of an IED blast away from the vehicle occupants, making it much harder for terrorists to target them with bombs or mines.
With its famous off-road capabilities and ability to carry loads, the Humvee was a natural choice as a hot-rodded jeep when the military needed an off-roader, and it’s been a cargo carrier, command and control, or logistics vehicle in the service of many countries. With several programmes developing low-cost autonomous technologies, the Humvee may be poised for a 21st century rebirth as an unmanned vehicle at the front of an advance, scouting ahead of troops and reporting back on enemy positions and locations.
Design
The military’s HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle)—better known as the Humvee—is one of the world’s most versatile vehicles. It’s designed to perform in a variety of terrains, from desert to jungle, for long periods of time with minimal maintenance. It can also be modified to carry a wide array of military equipment, from mounted machine guns to wire command-guided anti-tank missile launchers.
Originally developed in the 1980s to replace the Jeep, the HMMWV has been used in a variety of military conflicts, including the Gulf War and the Iraq war. In addition to its impressive off-road capabilities, the Humvee has a number of other unique design features that make it particularly well-suited for military use.
For example, its engine is located at the front of the vehicle to provide the best possible view of the road ahead. Its axels connect to the top of the tire rather than at the center, which helps it maintain its ground clearance even when driving over obstacles. Its suspension is also specially designed to prevent damage from objects that might bump the undercarriage.
Despite its many advantages, the Humvee is not without its shortcomings. It’s not a good fit for urban combat, as was evident in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where the vehicles were subjected to machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Many were also hit by landmines, which are another serious problem for this type of vehicle.
Nevertheless, the HMMWV remains one of the most popular military vehicles in the world, both because of its utility and its versatility. In the past, it has been upgraded in a number of ways, including through the development of reliability extended vehicles. These vehicles are modified with a re-engineered geared fan drive, cool pack and shroud, shock absorbers, new parking brakes, A-arm bushings and a re-designed geared hub assembly.
Modifications
The Humvee is built to perform a wide variety of tasks in the field. It is designed to drive on paved roads and off-road and can operate for extended periods of time with minimal maintenance. Each variant of the vehicle is slightly different, but they all share a common chassis and engine. This allows mechanics to quickly diagnose and fix problems. It also makes it easy to adapt the vehicle to specific situations.
The HMMWV is used by many countries and military organizations, including the United States. It has replaced the original jeep, as well as other military vehicles like the M151 “Gama Goat” and the M718A1. The HMMWV was originally unarmored, but was quickly up-armored after it was used in combat. Its rugged design made it an ideal platform for heavy weapons, which it has been equipped with in a number of different configurations.
In addition to adding armor, these vehicles were also modified with advanced suspension systems and improved shock absorbers. These upgrades allow the vehicle to tackle terrain that would stop other four-wheel drives in their tracks. The independent front and rear suspensions help the truck maintain traction even in the most difficult conditions. Its aluminum body also keeps it light, and its rust-resistant surface reduces the risk of corrosion.
The HMMWV has been adapted to a number of uses, from command and control to armed patrols. Some variants have been fitted with a mobile weapon system, which includes a cannon and digital fire-control systems. The system is mounted on a Humvee prime mover and can be swung into place in about 30 seconds. Other modifications include re-engineered brakes to increase their durability. The brake pads are positioned higher up on the axle, which reduces their exposure to debris.
Powertrain
The military Humvee is a formidable machine that can be configured to do just about anything, from transporting wounded soldiers to firing wire-guided anti-tank missiles. But while each vehicle can be slightly different, they all have 44 interchangeable parts that make maintenance a snap. This makes the Humvee very durable and able to perform in a variety of conditions.
Its powerful engine, four-wheel drive system, and large cargo capacity also make it very useful in many off-road situations. It can climb a 60% slope and even ford water. The wheels are mounted inboard of the axles, and it has an aluminum body that reduces weight and helps it resist corrosion. Its portal axles raise the entire drivetrain above the wheel hubs, allowing the Humvee to easily traverse obstacles that would stop other vehicles in their tracks.
AM General built the original Humvees with a 6.2L Detroit diesel engine. That might sound mighty impressive at first glance, but it was actually quite underpowered by today’s standards. The powertrain was also slow on top speed and sluggish overall.
The modern Humvee is powered by a 6.5L turbo diesel engine that’s capable of producing over 300 horsepower. That’s enough to get the Humvee up to highway speeds and make it an incredibly versatile machine.
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, is a huge and versatile military truck that is the backbone of the US army’s wheeled fleet. From evacuating the wounded to destroying enemy tanks, it has performed all sorts of tasks in its 30 years of production. Learn more about the Humvee and its many uses by checking out our list of interesting facts.
Maintenance
With a wheel at each corner and an intimidating appearance, the Humvee is the stalwart of the US military’s wheeled fleet. It’s been in service for more than 30 years and has seen it all – from evacuating wounded soldiers to taking out enemy tanks. In fact, there may be no other vehicle that has better represented the US Army than the Humvee.
While there are many different configurations of the Humvee, the vehicles are all similar in terms of construction. They are made of riveted and bonded aluminum body panels that provide premium strength, low weight and flexibility. This helps the vehicle to resist corrosion and maintain its performance in harsh environments. The aluminum is also rust-resistant and does not require painting, which reduces maintenance costs and time spent on the maintenance floor.
In addition to regular maintenance, the Humvee requires specific attention to its powertrain and suspension. The vehicle has a specialist high-mobility drive train that allows it to overcome rough terrain. This is accomplished through a unique combination of off-road tires, a heavy-duty transmission and transfer case, and a dual A-arm front suspension. The Humvee is also able to traverse deep water and mud.
The Humvee has been in use by the US military since 1984, when it was first introduced. It was designed to be an unarmored, unarmed troop and cargo transport that operates behind the lines in war zones. It was so popular that the military even began militarising civilian trucks, though these conversions were hit and miss.
The National Guard Sustainment Training Center at Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center recently hosted a Humvee maintenance course for Soldiers from several Balkan countries. The event was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, which matches a state’s National Guard with a partner country in order to promote security cooperation and regional stability.
