High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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Ubiquitous in the United States Army are many variants of the High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), normally called the "Humvee", or sometimes the "Hummer", although the latter is a commercial, street-legal version. The HMMWV are light trucks that complement the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, and the new MRAP mine-protected vehicle.

Humvee variants include:

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M998  | Cargo/Troop Carrier
M1038  | Cargo/Troop Carrier, with winch
M1043  | Armament carrier
M1044  | Armament carrier, with winch
M1045  | BGM-71 TOW carrier (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile)
M1046  | TOW Carrier, with winch
M997  | Ambulance, basic armor 4-Litter
M1035  | Ambulance, 2-Litter
M1037  | Shelter Carrier
M1042  | Shelter Carrier, with winch
M1097  | Heavy HMMWV (payload of 4,400 pounds)

Each of these can have variant loads, and the entire series is being improved. The Armament Carrier versions have an interchangeable mount for a .50 caliber M2 machine gun, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or a BGM-71 TOW guided missile; the TOW was designed for antitank use but can be used against buildings and fortifications.

## Issues[edit]

HMMWVs, which first entered service in 1985, were developed during the Cold War when improvised explosive devices (IEDs) similar threats to non-combat were not a major concern. None of the vehicles, in fact, were designed to stop a full-power rifle bullet, although the ambulance and armament carrier had fragment protection. [1]

IEDs have far more power than a rifle bullet. Adding armor to a vehicle not designed for it has presented problems in the field; the engine, suspension and cooling are not designed to carry the weight of the additional protection. In some cases, it also makes the vehicle top-heavy and more dangerous to maneuver. Cooling is of special concern in environments such as Iraq.

With more than 50% of the Army’s total tactical wheeled vehicle fleet nearing the end of its useful life, a successor may be needed, although the HMMWV is still in production. One option is a more survivable variant, the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, now deployed in Afghanistan. These have more purpose-built protection than HMMWV's "up-armored" in the field.

## Successor[edit]

The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps are developing the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is under development, preferably with a lesser number of versions than the 11 HMMWV variants.[2]

At present, the Army and Marines may be continuing HMMWV production for low-risk missions, producing the MRAP, and developing the new JTLV. Even with the potential of large export sales, questions have been raised about the need for three programs.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ AM General, A Word About Armor Protection
2. ↑ Feickert, Andrew (August 28, 2008), "Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress", Congressional Research Service, CRS Order Code RS22942