The military humvee has conquered foreign battlefields, suburban soccer fields and most terrain in between. But now it has reached a crossroads. With gas prices high and warfare evolving, is it time to replace the venerable HMMWV?
It was once the symbol of half a dozen US military interventions, from the invasion to topple Panama’s Manuel Noriega to the Gulf War. Its iconic design was instantly recognisable and spawned civilian variants from AM General, including an upgunned model equipped with a 30-mm cannon. Click the Military Humvee For Sale to learn more.
In its original form, the Humvee was an impressive off-road machine that conquered desert terrain with ease. It gained wide popularity during the Gulf War in 1991 and was a staple of frontline military operations for the following decade. The truck was used for transport, command and control, reconnaissance and other roles. The military also added armour to the vehicles, making them more effective against Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks and ambushes.
The HMMWV was designed to replace the military’s fleet of older jeeps and light trucks. The Army conducted a series of exhaustive tests to determine if the vehicle was up to the task. After the tests, the company that built the HMMWV won a contract to build several prototypes. The resulting vehicles proved to be the muscular new breed of trucks the Army had been looking for.
Known as the Humvee to soldiers, it has played a crucial role in conflicts around the world and is now an icon of American culture. The truck has even made it into the civilian sector, where it is popular with off-road enthusiasts and emergency services. The vehicle is also favored by celebrities, who frequently modify their Humvees into luxury vehicles known as hummers.
During its time in frontline service, the Humvee has proven to be a versatile workhorse, adapting to changing threats and environments. The funny-looking 4×4 has conquered mud, sand, rocks and snow. It has evaded detection in the desert, pulled trailers down highways and hopped entire continents in transport aircraft. Its jack-of-all-trades capabilities have allowed it to serve as a troop carrier, an armored outpost and a mobile hospital.
Despite the vehicle’s versatility and ruggedness, it hasn’t been perfect. In fact, the Humvee has been criticized for its lack of protection against roadside bombs and other hazards. In addition, it was found to be vulnerable in urban conflict situations, where it often became a sitting duck for insurgents. In response, the U.S. hastily up-armored select Humvees and replaced them with the more durable MRAP.
Design
HMMWVs are the backbone of the military’s ground forces. They are used for transport, reconnaissance, command and control, and more. The vehicle has undergone several upgrades to improve its performance and capabilities. These vehicles have also been exported to dozens of countries around the world. They have helped the military to overcome many obstacles and challenges on the battlefield.
The HMMWV’s unique design makes it one of the most versatile military vehicles in history. It features independent front and rear suspensions, advanced shock absorbers, and torque-biasing differentials that provide superior traction on terrain that would stop most other four-wheel drive vehicles in their tracks. The Humvee is also built with an aluminum body, which helps to keep the weight down and reduce maintenance costs.
In the early 2000s, the military began adding armor to their Humvees to increase protection. However, this added weight slowed the vehicle down and made it more prone to rollovers. It also put additional strain on the engine, transmission and drivetrain, which led to more mechanical failures. In addition, the extra weight increased fuel consumption and made the vehicle less maneuverable.
As the war in Iraq dragged on, the military realized that it needed something more suited to modern warfare. The HMMWV had served its purpose and it was time for a new vehicle. The new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, was designed to replace the Humvee in frontline U.S. military service. It can be modified to accommodate different weapon systems, including the M2HB.50 caliber heavy machine gun, the Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and the BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile system.
The JLTV’s 15 configurations share a common engine, chassis and transmission with 44 interchangeable parts. This simplifies supply, maintenance and logistics, which saves money for the Army. The vehicle also meets the new standards for reliability, availability, maintainability and survivability.
The Military Humvee made its first appearance in the 2005 film “War of the Worlds.” It was portrayed as part of the troops that responded to the Martians’ invasion. It’s also seen in other movies and television shows, and is used in a variety of commercial applications.
Performance
When it comes to off-roading, a Military Humvee is a beast. The unique design allows it to climb steep hills and stay high off the ground without damaging its underside. In addition, it has powerful brakes that can handle rough terrain and heavy loads. This makes it an ideal vehicle for military use, whether it’s navigating rough terrain or driving through cities.
In the 1970s, the US Army realized it needed better vehicles than its fleet of M561 Gama Goats and M151 Jeeps. It wanted a “jack-of-all-trades” light tactical vehicle that could perform the roles of several existing trucks. AM General won the contract to build this new truck, which would eventually be known as the Humvee.
The Humvee was designed to be a workhorse that could carry soldiers and equipment over rough terrain. It could also climb a 60-percent incline and traverse a 40-percent slope, according to Army specifications. In addition, it could ford through five feet of water.
Over the years, the Army began to retrofit the Humvee with armor and bulletproof windows to protect service members in front-line battles. However, these upgrades added a significant amount of weight to the vehicle, which reduced its performance and caused mechanical failures.
Despite these limitations, the Humvee remains an iconic military vehicle. It’s been used in numerous wars and has become a symbol of the American fighting spirit. The image of a dusty Humvee carrying tired soldiers or Marines across impossible-looking terrain is one that most people have seen.
The first HMMWVs saw action in Panama, and the vehicle became famous for its reliability during Operation Desert Storm and other combat operations. However, it soon became apparent that the Humvee was not effective in urban combat situations, where it was often a sitting duck for improvised explosive devices.
Fortunately, there are many modifications that can be made to improve the performance of a Humvee. For example, adding a cold air intake can help to increase the engine’s power by forcing more oxygen into it. In addition, installing a turbocharger or supercharger can help to significantly boost the vehicle’s output. Lastly, replacing the stock tires with larger ones can make a big difference in the vehicle’s performance.
Cost
After years of use in a variety of wars and other military missions, the military Humvee is starting to show its age. The Army and Marine Corps are replacing the old workhorses with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. Designed to better survive roadside bombs and other hazards, the JLTV will be used by front-line soldiers. But it won’t replace the old Humvees on a one-for-one basis.
While the Humvee is more than capable of handling any task, it isn’t cheap to own and operate. You’ll need to budget for regular maintenance, as well as repairs and modifications to make the vehicle street legal. In addition, you’ll need to pay for fuel costs. The average Humvee gets about 8 to 12 miles per gallon.
If you’re interested in buying a military Humvee, the best place to start is with an auction site like GovPlanet. Prices can range from $4,000 to $20,000 or more for vehicles in good condition. You can also find Humvees for sale from private sellers, though their prices tend to be higher.
Before a Humvee can be sold to the public, it must undergo demilitarization, which strips the vehicles of their armor and weapons capability. Since the first Humvees went on sale in 2014, the Defense Logistics Agency has netted more than three-quarters of a million dollars for each out-of-service vehicle.
In addition to repairing and maintaining your military Humvee, you’ll need to consider the cost of fuel. These trucks don’t get great gas mileage, and can cost as much as $2,000 to fill up. They also need a lot of maintenance, including regular oil changes, tire replacements, and routine inspections.
Once you’ve found the perfect Humvee, it’s time to bring it home. You’ll need to coordinate with a government contractor to schedule a pickup or shipping date. Shipping costs will vary depending on the distance and size of the vehicle, but expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000. If you’re not going to be able to pick up your Humvee in person, you’ll need to hire a shipper that works with the government contractor.