High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

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High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee)

Manufacturer	AM General
Assembly	South Bend, Indiana
Class	Large SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Length	15 ft (4.6 m)
Width	7 ft (2.1 m)
Height	6 ft (1.8 m), reducible to 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
Curb weight	5,200 lbs (~2340kg)

This article refers to the Military HMMWV, not the civilian Hummer sold by General Motors

The M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) is a military AWD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by the the M151 1/4 ton Jeep, the M561 'Gama Goat', their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks with the United States military, as well as being used by a number of other countries and organizations. Humvees were originally also referred to as Hummers, though that term was later reserved for a civilian SUV based on the Humvee.

1 Features
2 History
3 Usage in combat and political implications
4 Weaknesses
5 Replacement
6 Versions
- 6.1 A partial listing of U.S. versions:
- 6.2 International versions
7 Humvee replicas
8 Similar vehicles
9 Users
10 Popular culture
11 See also
12 External links
13 Notes

[edit] Features

There are at least 17 variants of the HMMWV in service with the United States armed forces. HMMWV serve as cargo/troop carriers, automatic weapons platforms, ambulances (four litter patients or eight ambulatory patients), M220 TOW missile carriers, M119 howitzer prime movers, M-1097 Avenger Pedestal Mounted Stinger platforms, MRQ-12 direct air support vehicles, S250 shelter carriers, and other things. It is capable of fording 2.5 ft (76 cm) normally, or 5 ft (1.5 m) with the deep-water fording kit installed.

Optional equipment includes a winch (maximum load capacity 6000 lb. (2700 kg)), and supplemental armor. The M1025 and M1043/M1044 armament carriers provide mounting and firing capabilities for the MK19 grenade launcher, the M2 heavy machine gun, the M240G/B machine gun and M249 SAW. The newly introduced M1114 "up-armored" HMMWV also features a similar weapons mount. In addition, some M1114 and M1116 up-armored and M1117 Armored Security Vehicle models feature a CROWS (common remotely operated weapon station), which allows the gunner to operate from inside the vehicle.

[edit] History

An HMMWV firing a TOW missile

In the 1970s, the United States Army concluded that the militarized civilian trucks in use no longer satisfied their requirements. In 1977, Lamborghini developed the Cheetah model to attempt to meet Army contract specifications. In 1979, the Army drafted final specifications for a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV. In July of that year, AM General (a subsidiary of American Motors Corporation) began preliminary design work, and less than a year later, the first prototype, the M998, was in testing.

In June 1981, the Army awarded AM General a contract for development of several more prototype vehicles to be delivered to the U.S. government for another series of tests, and the company was later awarded the initial production contract for 55,000 HMMWVs to be delivered in 1985. HMMWVs first saw combat in Operation Just Cause, the US invasion of Panama in 1989.

A US military Humvee deployed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The HMMWV has become the vehicular backbone of U.S. forces around the world. Over 10,000 were used during Operation Iraqi Freedom by U.S. forces as well as some other countries during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

One US Humvee was captured by the Yugoslav Army during the Kosovo war and is currently on display in front of the Military Museum building on Kalemegdan Fortress Park, Belgrade, Serbia.

[edit] Usage in combat and political implications

A Humvee with Mattrack snow treads.

Humvee with bolt-on armor kit

The HMMWV was designed primarily for personnel and light cargo transport behind front lines. Like the previous Jeep, the basic HMMWV has no armor or protection against NBC threats. Nevertheless, losses were relatively low in conventional operations, such as Desert Storm. Even though vehicles and crews suffered considerable punishment in Somalia, they brought their crews and passengers back. It was never designed to offer extensive protection against intense small arms fire, much less machine guns and anti-tank rocket propelled grenades.

Among the many HMMWV variants originally envisioned, an armored fighting vehicle was never among them. With the rise of asymmetric warfare and low-intensity conflicts, the HMMWV has been pressed into service as an armored car in urban combat roles it was not originally intended for. The United States has chosen not to deploy any series of armored vehicles that are more capable than the HMMWV but smaller and cheaper than the armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles currently in service. Such a vehicle, the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, is already in service. It is an updated Cadillac Cage Commando with armor designed to defeat .50 caliber armor piercing ammunition, anti-tank mine, 155 mm artillery from 15 m above, and direct hits from a Rocket Propelled Grenade. However, it has been deployed with the Military Police rather than in front line combat where HMMWVs have been deployed.

Although there are several armor kits available for the vehicle which afford it greater protection from small-arms fire, these were not provided in great numbers to American forces in Iraq prior to the invasion. As a result of this, American soldiers and Marines often improvise extra armor layers with scrap materials (also known as "hillbilly armor") to improve the safety of the HMMWV. While "hardening" or "up-armoring" their vehicles with sandbags, metal, and plywood does arguably make the vehicles safer, it also slows them down and makes the vehicle more prone to breakdowns. It has also been argued that hardening armor simply creates more shrapnel when the vehicle is attacked with an RPG or improvised explosive device. This extra hardening further hampered the ability of the M998 and M1025 due to the addition of excess weight which overloaded the suspension and drivetrain components of these HMMWVs. Performance issues due to the high center of gravity and extra weight of up-armoring kits increase the risk of sway and rollover, another cause of death among HMMWV passengers. Unlike similar-size civilian cargo and tow trucks, which typically have dual rear wheels to reduce sway, the HMMWV has single rear wheels. The independent rear suspension coupled with the body design may preclude "dually" configuration which is the standard for solid-axle trucks of that weight range.

In response to the vulnerability of HMMWVs operating in Iraq, “Up armor” kits were installed on vulnerable M998 HMMWVs. These kits include armored doors with bullet-proof glass, side and rear armor plates, and a ballistic windshield which will protect from 7.62 mm (AK-47) rifle and machine gun fire and simple IEDs. The U.S. Department of Defense also contracted AM General to build the M1114 Up armored HMMWV. The M1114 has been in limited production since 1996 and had seen limited use in the Balkans before deployment to the Middle East. This design is superlative to the M998 with a larger, more powerful turbocharged engine, air conditioning, and a strengthened suspension system. More importantly, it boasts a fully armored passenger area protected by hardened steel and bullet-proof glass. With the increase in direct attacks and guerrilla warfare in Iraq, AM General has diverted the majority of its manufacturing power to producing these vehicles.

In December 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld came under criticism from U.S. soldiers and their families for not providing better equipped HMMWVs [2]. Rumsfeld pointed out that, prior to the war, armor kits were produced only in small numbers per year. As the role of American forces in Iraq changed from fighting the Iraqi Army to suppressing the guerrilla insurgency, armor kits were being manufactured as fast as additional production facilities could be brought online. Armor aggravates the severe inherent performance limitations of a light truck with independent suspension, but it does offer improved protection.

Other countries in Europe and South Africa employ a number of different light armored vehicles, both tracked and wheeled, and some even built in the US by Cadillac Cage, that are designed more specifically for low intensity combat situations, and are more resistant to small arms; some trucks even have very high v-shaped bottoms to survive mine effects.

Others have advocated the use of relatively plentiful M113 tracked Vietnam-era armoured personnel carriers for combat patrol and convoy escort. Some have been fitted with ACAV modifications for this purpose, as they were employed in Vietnam, which posed similar security problems for convoys.

Current US doctrine has abandoned the use of armored scout cars common in other nations. The standard tires are vulnerable, but will run flat up to 20 km with no spare. In 2007, the USMC announced an intention to replace all HMMWVs in Iraq with MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) armoured trucks because of high loss rates, and has issued contracts to build many different concepts, most of which look like armored trucks. The Textron Marine and Land Systems entry is an updated Commando. ^[1] ^[2] (APV), and some have been deployed with the army and marines primarily for mine clearing duties. Heavier models of Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV) can also be used for patrol vehicles.^[3]

[edit] Weaknesses

With only slightly better ballistic protection than a Jeep, the HMMWV is vulnerable to just about any weapon capable of hitting it. RPG and AKM fire will penetrate any model without the up-armor conversion kit, and is capable of producing casualties. Besides fire from infantry, it is also vulnerable to roadside bombs (IEDs and land mines). The armor on most up-armored HMMWVs holds up well against lateral attacks, when the blast is distributed in all different directions, but offers little protection from a mine blast below the truck.

The soldier crewing the machine gun on top of the vehicle is extremely vulnerable; however, many HMMWVs have been fitted with basic gun shields, as was the case with M113 APCs after they were first deployed in Vietnam. The U.S. military is currently testing a new form of protection, developed by BAE Systems. The new gunner's seat is protected by 1.5' to 2' (45.72 - 60.96 cm) high steel plates with bullet-proof glass windows. Additionally, some HMMWV use CROWS, which slaves the machine gun to controls in the back seat to allow remote operation.

Another serious weakness has proven to be its size, which has limited its deployment in Afghanistan. This size also limits the ability for the vehicle to be manhandled out of situations.

[edit] Replacement

The ULTRA AP - a concept vehicle for a possible HMMWV replacement

The US government is seeking a replacement for the AM General truck, and the U.S. Army's Tank and Automotive Command is currently refereeing a Future Tactical Truck Systems prototype competition. Navistar International and Lockheed Martin are participating, while AM General has not been selected. Navstar International's entry, the International FTTS is heavily based on the recently introduced International MXT-MV.

The Marine Corps is also looking into replacements for the HMMWV. The Office of Naval Research is funding Georgia Tech's ULTRA AP, a combat concept vehicle based on the F350 chassis, but with a "blast bucket" passenger compartment, and Ultra 3T, a project with more advanced (but unproven) technologies.

The Office of Naval Research selected General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Truck to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) mock-ups and conceptual designs, modeling and simulation to provide trade off analysis for the evaluation of future development of such vehicles. It would be a family of light armored wheeled vehicles with combat capability to provide more protection than the HMMWV.

[edit] Versions

Humvee with a communications dish

[edit] A partial listing of U.S. versions:

M56 Coyote
M707 HMMWV
M966 HMMWV TOW Armored
M996 Mini-Ambulance, Armored
M997 Maxi-Ambulance, Armored
M998 Cargo/Troop
M998 HMMWV Avenger
M1025 Armament Carrier, Armored
M1026 Armament Carrier, Armored W/W
M1035 Soft-Top Ambulance
M1036 TOW Armored W/W
M1037 S-250 Shelter Carrier
M1038 Cargo/Troop Carrier W/W
M1042 S-250 Shelter Carrier W/W
M1043 Armament Carrier, Up-Armored
M1044 Armament Carrier, Up-Armored W/W
M1045 TOW Up-Armored Armor
M1046 TOW Up-Armored Armor W/W
M1059 Smoke Generator Carrier
M1069 Tractor for M119 105-mm Gun
M1097 Heavy
M1097 Heavy HMMWV Avenger
M1109 Up-Armored Armament Carrier

Expanded Capacity

M1113 The M1113 has been selected by the Army as its A2 chassis for HMMWV purchases. Currently, the ECV is used for special operations vehicles and communications shelter carriers.

During 1995, production of the M1114 based on the improved ECV chassis began. The M1114 meets Army requirements for a scout, military police, and explosive ordinance disposal vehicle with improved ballistic protection levels. The M1114 provides protection against 7.62 mm armor-piercing projectiles, 155 mm artillery air bursts and 12 lb. anti-tank mine blasts. The U.S. Air Force has a number of vehicles under the designation M1116, specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Air Force. The M1116 features an expanded cargo area, armored housing for the turret gunner and increased interior heating and air conditioning system. The M1114 and M1116 receive armor at O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Company of Fairfield, Ohio.

M1114 Up-Armored Armament Carrier
M1116 Up-Armored HMMWV
M1123 Heavy
M1121 TOW Armored
M1145 Up-Armored HMMWV
M1151 Up-Armored Capable HMMWV
M1152 Up-Armored Capable HMMWV

Packhorse - Attachment to convert an M1097 to tractor version for semi-trailers.
Scorpion - Version fitted with Vasliyek 82mm automatic mortar. This is a heavy chassis Humvee equipped with a 2B9 Vasilyek 82mm automatic mortar and intended to provide more protection for US troops in combat zones. This was developed in 2004 by engineers at the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal. The mortar itself can fire on single shots or on automatic using 4 round clips. Range for direct fire is 1,000m and indirect fire is 4,000m. It's also intended to provide another means of destroying roadside bombs but at a safer standoff range.

[edit] International versions

EQ2050/SQF2040 - Chinese versions of the HMMWV.
Kornet - Greek unarmored M1114 equipped to fire the Russian Kornet ATGM.
The Swiss MOWAG Eagle light armored vehicle, designed for reconnaissance surveillance, liaison, escort, border patrol and police missions. The Eagle utilizes the HMMWV chassis, is an NBC-tight, air conditioned and armor protected vehicle. Eagle is in service and available in several configurations with varying levels of armor protection. The Eagle can be fitted with a wide assortment of armaments which can be manually or remotely operated turrets.
The Turkish Otokar Cobra light armored vehicle is the base of a family of vehicles. It provides full armor protection for a crew of 4 to 11 depending on configuration. Cobra is available in seven different configurations from Personnel to Weapons Carrier. In addition, Cobra is available with either a manually or remotely operated turret and can be fitted with a wide assortment of armaments. An optional swim kit is available.
Israel's Plasan Sasa has developed an armored version of the HMMWV, it is not known if they used Stripped down kits from GD or used MAP vehicles.
Japan - Toyota builds its own version of the hummer called the Megacruiser. The Toyota Mega Cruiser was a civilian vehicle with a very similar layout and appearance to the Humvee. It is no longer manufactured. However, Toyota has produced the Koukidousya, a military version of the Mega Cruiser in service with the JSDF.

[edit] Humvee replicas

Due to the popularity of the Humvee, kits have been produced for the general market to build a Humvee-lookalike at home. While the kits do not allow you to build a Humvee from scratch (kitcar), they do allow you to turn a sedan into a Humvee lookalike. An alternative is to buy a preconstructed (or "turnkey") wombat. Various kits exist, but one of the most famous names is the "Wombat" (previously called a HummBug). The former vehicle can be purchased for $18,000.00; this puts it considerably cheaper than the actual Humvee ($56,400.00), or Hummer.

[edit] Similar vehicles

Some electric cars have been made similar in appearance to the Humvee.

[edit] Users

The HMMWV is not only used by the US military but many other countries as well:

Algeria
Albania (300)
Argentina (bought after the Falklands War)
Israel (2000+)
Republic of Macedonia (543+)
Chile (200+)
Croatia (ordered a minor number for units in Afghanistan UN mission)
Thailand
Morocco (4500+)
Mexico (3000+)
Turkey
Romania (8 + 50-100 in the future)
Serbia
Greece
Saudi Arabia
Iraq used by the New Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Forces.
Afghanistan used by the new Afghan National Army.
Latvia
Lithuania
Lebanon (20 - up to 285 in the future)
Philippines
Slovenia (30)
Spain
Poland (217 + 233 in future)
Portugal
United States (140000+) As of 1999 [[3]]
The UK tried the HMMWV in the early 1990s but were critical of the vehicle and continued using the Land Rover Wolf as their primary utility vehicle.

[edit] Popular culture

The Humvee has appeared in almost every military-themed film, military news video, and video game set in recent times since 1989 and has become as much of an icon for the modern U.S. military as the Jeep was for U.S. forces in World War II.