Military Humvees are now available to civilians through surplus auctions. These aluminum-bodied vehicles can be upgraded with armor and made street-legal.
In the 1970s, the Army knew it needed better vehicles to replace its fleet of M151 Jeeps and half-ton M561 Gama goats. It drafted specifications for a jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle. AM General, Chrysler Defense, and Teledyne Continental each designed prototypes of what would become known as the HMMWV or Humvee. Click the Military Humvee For Sale to learn more.
Like the Sherman tank, which is indelibly linked to World War II and the M-1 Abrams, to the Cold War, the Humvee has become the emblem of half a dozen military interventions around the globe. The funny-looking 4×4 has sailed through the oceans in CH-53 helicopters, jumped entire continents in Marine Expeditionary Units and conquered countless deserts with its unstoppable power. It’s been a hot-rodded off-roader when the military needed an off-roader and an armored outpost when it needed shelter. With over 150,000 produced, the AM General HMMWV, known simply as the Humvee to soldiers, has become a symbol of military ingenuity and problem-solving.
As the threat environment changed from fast-paced movements during the Vietnam War to the insurgencies of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army realised that its light service vehicles needed an overhaul. By the end of the 1970s, it drafted specifications for a jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle that could replace several existing trucks in the fleet. AM General, Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental were invited to create prototypes and put them through grueling tests in extreme conditions. After a year of trials, the Army picked AM General’s model and named it the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, more commonly known as the Humvee.
The Humvee dominated the battlefield for decades. As a military vehicle, it supplanted the original jeeps and other Military light utility vehicles, such as the M151 Gama Goat and the M792A1 and M718A1. It’s also dominated the civilian market, spawning a name and a culture that rivals the likes of Land Rover, Toyota and Ford.
During the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, however, the Humvee came under increasing attack. Roadside bombs ripped through the minimally armored vehicles, killing hundreds of US troops. The Army eventually replaced them with a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, whose massive size compromises mobility, but which it considers necessary in the face of increasingly deadly roadside bombs.
Despite this, the Humvee remains a key part of the Military’s arsenal. It will likely be in use until 2050, when its replacement is due to enter service.
Design
The military Humvee, or HMMWV (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), was developed by the Army to replace aging jeeps and other light vehicles in challenging terrain. Its mission is to transport cargo and troops in a variety of environments for long periods of time. At the same time, it must protect its occupants and their cargo from the instruments of war, including bullets, bombs, and mines.
In 1979, the US Army awarded contracts to three contenders for a new tactical vehicle. The winner, AM General, developed prototypes of the HMMWV. These prototypes went through a series of rigorous tests. They had to withstand rocky hills, deep sand, 60 inches of water, desert heat, and even arctic snow.
This unique vehicle rides higher than most trucks, with its undercarriage sitting above the cabin, and is designed to accommodate a large payload. It can carry 2,500 pounds, which is more than double the capacity of a jeep. The vehicle can also mount a variety of weapons, including machine guns and grenade launchers, and a tube-launched, optically tracked, wire command-guided (TOW) antitank missile, which is normally air-dropped from helicopter gunships.
Another advantage of the Humvee is that it uses a diesel engine and automatic transmission. This is a significant improvement over the manual gearshifts on jeeps and other old tactical vehicles. It is also easier to drive for soldiers, who are more familiar with the technology of modern cars.
Despite its many strengths, the HMMWV is not perfect. It is too wide for some of the smallest roads, and it is too big to be carried on most forms of airplane transportation. In addition, its size makes it difficult to maneuver in tight areas.
To address these issues, the Army began several initiatives to replace the Humvee in both the short and long term. The short-term efforts used commercial off-the-shelf vehicles, and the long-term effort focused on building a replacement for the Humvee from the ground up. Miles Fiberglass offers a Humvee hood reinforcement kit that fixes cracked hoods. This can help reduce maintenance downtime and repair costs while providing protection against damage from roadside debris or other hazards.
Performance
The military Humvee isn’t just a vehicle that’s good at driving through rugged desert terrain, it’s also an effective tool for transporting troops and equipment. Thanks to its impressive power, speed, and range capabilities, the Humvee can easily get people and supplies where they need to be in a timely manner. The original design was also crafted with safety in mind, as evidenced by the reinforced seating frames and ergonomic layouts.
Designed to supplant older M151 Jeeps and M561 Gama Goat light utility vehicles, the HMMWV (or Humvee, as it’s known by soldiers) is a formidable force on the battlefield. It is built to last and has the ability to adapt to any environment or situation. Its jack-of-all-trades nature and impressive performance set it apart from other light military vehicles.
Military Humvees are capable of hauling cargo and weapons, performing front-line reconnaissance patrols, escorting wounded soldiers to the hospital and functioning as mobile command posts. Their versatility is a result of interchangeable body kits that can transform the vehicle into three different configurations: weapon carrier, cargo vehicle and field ambulance.
These configurations are further separated into specialized variants to suit the needs of specific operational missions. For instance, the weapons carrier variant can be fitted with sophisticated communications and detection gear to assist in combat operations, while the field ambulance can carry four to eight litter patients. The specialized configurations are also able to be lowered to permit transport via helicopter, which is an important consideration for many military missions.
The Humvee’s power, speed, and range capabilities allow it to perform well on various military missions. Its agility allows it to respond quickly and move rapidly through tough terrain, while its impressive fuel efficiency enables it to cover long distances without the need for frequent refueling.
Its superior off-road performance has made it an integral part of countless military missions around the globe. In fact, the Humvee has been involved in numerous battles, from Operation Just Cause in Panama to the Battle of Mogadishu during Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993.
Despite the recent introduction of more modern military vehicles, like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or JLTV, the Humvee remains one of the most popular vehicles in the world. Its legendary reputation has even spawned a new company that will convert the vehicle into a powerful electric car.
Maintenance
The Military Humvee is a durable workhorse. However, it does require regular maintenance and care to keep it running in top condition. It also consumes more fuel than a standard car or truck. Owners can expect to spend $3,000 a year on fuel alone.
The HMMWV is a tough and rugged vehicle designed to meet the Army’s requirments for Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Survivability (RAM-D). It was built with simplicity in mind, with one set of parts that can be used in 15 configurations. This allows for fewer training hours for mechanics, and simpler supply, maintenance and logistics systems, saving tax dollars.
Some veterans who worked on the Humvee have said that they did a lot of unnecessary maintenance to ensure that their vehicles remained reliable. However, their primary concern was making sure they stayed safe to protect their brothers at arms.
Military Humvees are available for sale at government auctions and through private sellers. Auction prices start at $4,000 for basic models, but can go up to $25,000 or more for ones in better condition. Private sellers typically offer more convenience and a wider selection.
When buying a Humvee, be prepared for a lengthy paperwork and inspection process before it is legally yours. You will need to get the vehicle titled and registered, which can be complicated and expensive depending on your state’s laws. In addition, you may need to make modifications to make it street-legal.
Most of the maintenance needed on a Military Humvee is routine. Like any other vehicle, it will need oil changes, tire replacements, and routine inspections. The tires are larger and more expensive than standard car tires, so you will need to budget for that. Oil changes can cost between $100 and $500 depending on your local oil change shop and how frequently you drive the vehicle.
Another maintenance expense is replacing the Humvee’s battery and alternator. The alternator is important for regulating the voltage to the electrical components in the vehicle, which keeps them from overcharging. Over time, the alternator can fail, causing overheating and other problems. Replacing the battery and alternator can be costly, but it is an essential part of maintaining a Military Humvee.