Replacing older military vehicles, the Humvee – or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle – was an instant success in war zones. However, the oversized vehicles sucked gas and were slow to maneuver. They also were prone to rollovers and were vulnerable to roadside bombs.
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When the US Army set out to replace its jeeps during the Gulf War, it wanted something that could take them across various terrain and carry all sorts of equipment and troops. It also needed something that could survive attacks by roadside bombs and other hostile forces. So it called on AM General, Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental to design and build prototype HMMWVs. After more than 600,000 miles of trials in desert and Arctic conditions, the Humvee emerged as a winner.
Its long wheelbases, hulking V8 diesel engines and independent suspension allowed it to traverse a range of harsh terrains while carrying large loads of cargo and troops. It could climb rocky inclines, cross sand dunes, and wade through deep water. It could even be towed behind helicopters and transported on ocean-going ships. It became a staple of the military fleet and a symbol of America’s might.
The Humvee’s fame grew even more after it was used in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where its off-roading capabilities and versatility proved essential to the success of US forces. But after it entered hostile territory, it was confronted with a different type of threat: roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades. Its aluminum body might as well have been tissue paper in the face of small arms fire and explosions from improvised explosive devices.
To protect service members, the military began retrofitting Humvees with armor and bulletproof windows. But this added weight reduced performance, increased wear on the drivetrain and engine, and caused a number of mechanical failures. And, more importantly, it didn’t do much to stop terrorists from shooting into the vehicles through their doors and roofs, killing many of those inside.
As a result, in 2006, the military brought together leaders from the Marine Corps, Army and Navy to come up with a better solution to the Humvee’s vulnerabilities. The result was the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which features an armor-plated hull that deflects explosions and blasts upward instead of down into the vehicle. MRAPs have replaced some Humvees, but they still serve as a vital part of the military’s vehicle fleet.
The Humvee’s design
The military’s Humvee, officially known as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or HMMWV, is one of the most versatile light military vehicles on the planet. It is capable of being modified into an open-topped scout truck, an armored personnel carrier, an ambulance, or even a TOW missile launcher. It can also carry everything from fully armed troops to air-dropped supplies and rocket-propelled grenades. This incredible versatility makes the Humvee an important part of the US military’s arsenal.
The HMMWV was originally developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the US Army’s fleet of jeeps. The idea was to develop a rugged, easily maneuverable and adaptable vehicle that could be used in a variety of environments and missions. The HMMWV proved its worth during the Gulf War, where it ably navigated the hostile desert terrain. In the years that followed, the HMMWV became more and more militarized. It was a vital component of the US military’s steamroller assaults on Iraq’s defenses in 1991 and 2003.
Unfortunately, the HMMWV was eventually found to be insufficient against the threat of roadside improvised explosive devices. Its aluminum body was paper thin in the face of small arms fire and improvised rocket-propelled grenades. In response, the US hastily up-armored select models and began replacing frontline HMMWVs with MRAPs, which are lighter and more heavily armoured than the original HMMWV.
While the HMMWV may be dated by some, it still has an important role to play in the modern world. As threats evolve, the HMMWV will likely continue to be an invaluable piece of the US military’s arsenal.
In 2021, the US Army’s newest model, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or JLTV, began to replace HMMWVs in mainstream US military service. However, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the upcoming AM General HUMVEE SABER will find its way into some US Special / Special Operations Forces formations. The JLTV, which is two thirds the size of a Humvee and nearly double its speed, boasts new suspension, a mine-resistant hull, more powerful engines and better armor than the original HMMWV.
The Humvee’s protection
In the years following Operation Desert Storm and both Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, a growing threat of small arms fire and roadside bombs began to seriously injure crews manning soft-skinned HMMWVs. The alloy skin of a Humvee could not stop bullets or the blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) – and US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq were forced to turn to sandbags, plywood and cannibalized armor in an effort to protect their vehicles and themselves.
In addition to the armor kits available from AM General, there are also a number of aftermarket manufacturers that offer upfitting for the HMMWV. Some of these products include armored doors, ballistic windows and seatback protectors that can be installed to increase the protection level for those sitting in the vehicle. Many of these armored Humvee products can be installed without compromising maneuverability.
Despite the added defenses, a number of military personnel choose not to have their vehicles upfitted with any additional protection. This is largely due to the fact that armoring a Humvee adds significant weight and reduces deployment flexibility. In addition, some soldiers prefer to remove the armor from their vehicles in order to increase speed and field of view.
For those that prefer the agility of the HMMWV but want additional protection levels, there is the option of having your vehicle upfitted with various armor solutions from a company like Miles Fiberglass. This manufacturer offers a complete line of protective products for the HMMWV including composite panel reinforcement kits that can be used to reinforce damaged body panels and replace cracked hoods.
In addition to their full line of armored Humvee products, Miles Fiberglass has recently added the Modular Anti-Drone System-Kit (MADSK) to its arsenal of technologies for the HMMWV. This system, designed in collaboration with Elta North America, allows the HMMWV to effectively detect, track and ID UAS threats on the move – providing a critical defensive layer of protection to the Humvee fleet. For more information on this new technology for the HMMWV, click here. Miles Fiberglass is also working with IMMI to bring the MBrace airbag system to the Humvee. This innovative airbag system, integrated into the multi-point seat belts, can provide immediate and effective protection against modern drone threats while driving at maneuver speeds.
The Humvee’s versatility
The military uses Humvees in many different ways. They can be equipped with a wide range of weapons, including rocket launchers and TOW missiles, and can carry fully-armed troops or provide covert command and control for ground operations. They can also be used for medical evacuations or to haul equipment. This versatility has allowed the Humvee to become an integral part of US military strategy.
The Humvee’s versatility is partly due to its design. Its chassis is designed to accommodate a number of different bodies, making it easy for soldiers to customize the vehicle for their specific needs. For example, the military could convert a Humvee into an open-topped scout vehicle, armored personnel carrier, ambulance, or TOW missile launcher with minimal effort. This flexibility allows the military to meet changing battlefield needs with a minimum of downtime.
Another key factor in the Humvee’s versatility is its rugged construction. Its chassis and body are built to withstand harsh conditions, and its components are designed to last longer than those found in other off-road vehicles. This durability is important in military applications, as the Humvee is often deployed in dangerous and remote areas.
Its ruggedness has also made the Humvee a popular off-road vehicle among civilians. Many people buy modified Humvees and use them for off-road driving or simply enjoy the way they look. These modifications can add a number of different features, including extra power and suspension. Some enthusiasts even make their own Humvees from scratch, using kits to build the body and chassis.
Despite its popularity, the Humvee is not without its critics. Some worry that it is not as safe as other military vehicles, and others have criticized its lack of maneuverability. However, the Humvee has been an essential tool in many conflicts, and its capabilities are unlikely to be replaced anytime soon.
As time goes on, the Humvee is being replaced by a new generation of military vehicles. These trucks, known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), are designed to combine the agility of the Humvee with the protection offered by the MRAP. These new vehicles will allow the military to get where they need to be faster and more safely.