Despite its “high mobility” moniker, the Humvee was ill-suited to the kind of urban combat US troops encountered in Somalia. Like the jeeps they replaced, they lacked adequate protection and were gas guzzlers.
AM General began to develop a variety of upgrades to the HMMWV. These included the up-armored HMMWV and the Expanded Capacity Vehicle. Contact Street Legal Exports now!
The Humvee, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), is a military vehicle that has been in use by the United States Armed Forces for over 40 years. It largely replaced the original jeeps that were in service during the Vietnam War and has served in countless other missions throughout the world. The Humvee has even inspired its own civilian adaptation under the brand name Hummer, which has become a household name for SUV enthusiasts.
Its imposing presence and brute power made the HMMWV a hit with soldiers and was also popular among well-heeled civilians. The future Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger was one such person, and he called on AM General to bring the vehicle to market as a civilian model under the Hummer name. The result was a road-going SUV that offered the brawny look and proven heavy-duty capabilities of a military-based utility vehicle but with the refinement, ride quality, and creature comforts typical of a luxury high-end SUV.
The HMMWV was first developed by the US Army in the 1970s to replace its fleet of jeeps that were reaching the end of their useful lives. A number of companies submitted proposals and the Army ultimately awarded a contract to AM General to build 11 prototype HMMWVs for testing. These vehicles were subjected to extensive off-road tests and eventually travelled over 600,000 miles. The military was impressed with the HMMWV’s performance and ordered 55,000 of them through a five-year contract that started in 1983.
The Design
The military Humvee is a rugged, reliable vehicle with serious power. It can traverse a wide range of terrain and carry a large amount of cargo. It can also withstand harsh conditions, and it is often used in the desert.
While the Humvee was originally unarmored, it was quickly adapted with various armor kits. These upgrades improved the vehicle’s ability to withstand roadside bombs and other dangers. However, these improvements made the vehicles heavier, making them less maneuverable. Despite these shortcomings, the Humvee remains an essential piece of military equipment.
As the threat landscape in Afghanistan and Iraq changed, the Humvee was upgraded to become more effective. It was able to carry more payload and carry additional weapon systems, such as a 105mm howitzer and the roof-mounted Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless-Guided (TOW) antitank missile. The military also created versions that could act as ambulances and troop transports.
The Humvee eventually got replaced with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. The JLTV is lighter than a Humvee and offers more protection against mines and other explosive devices. The US Army has ordered over 280,000 of these vehicles from Oshkosh, Lockheed Martin, and AM General.
The Engine
The military’s vehicles have had an oddly irresistible charm, and none are more famous than the Humvee. Originally called the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV (Humvee is an informal abbreviation), it was a jack-of-all-trades modernisation of other military trucks like Jeeps and the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle.
The Humvee was designed with the idea that it could carry everything from cargo and troops to medical supplies and equipment. To accomplish this, the truck has a larger undercarriage than most other vehicles and features loops around the frame that allow it to be hooked up to parachute equipment when dropped from an aircraft.
In addition, the Humvee’s engine is built to be as robust as possible and can withstand the roughest treatment. The original HMMWVs used a 6.2L Detroit diesel engine that produces 113 horsepower. However, field use has found that a fully loaded Humvee easily tips the scales at double this amount. Adding armor, guns and other turrets adds weight that can leave 113 horsepower feeling sluggish.
Despite this, the HMMWV is still going strong today. Although the Army has started replacing them with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, it’s going to take years for the full fleet to be replaced. As for the JLTV, it offers a faster engine; better armor; and a mine-resistant hull. All of which makes it far more useful than the sluggish HMMWV.
The Armor
Since 1983, the military Humvee has conquered mud, sand, rocks and snow. It’s pulled trailers down the highway and evaded detection in desert dunes. It’s hopped on the back of CH-53 helicopters and flown over entire continents in transport aircraft. But as threats evolved from the anticipated fast-paced movements of the Cold War to the insurgencies of Iraq and Afghanistan, the funny-looking 4×4 was becoming vulnerable to a new threat: roadside bombs and small arms fire.
The Army launched a crash program to protect the soft-skinned vehicles. But a permanent armor kit, called FRAG Kit 5, took longer to design, test and produce than expected. Meanwhile, the Iraq war was generating unexpected troop surges that required more and more up-armored Humvees.
So, in the interim, soldiers improvised near-term solutions that added some level of protection to their vehicle. Soldiers were even using plywood and sandbags to help protect their vehicles from the deadly roadside bombs.
At AM General, the company that makes the Humvee, workers labor around the clock to armor trucks and supply vehicles. Their plant on the river island in the middle of the Mississippi is the Army’s only complete start-to-finish factory for add-on armor kits. The plant produces about 32 Humvees a day and plans to double production by summer. But it will take a lot more Humvees to fill the Pentagon’s order for thousands of additional up-armored vehicles.
The Options
You may have decided you want to own a Humvee. But before you walk onto Bob’s Auto Emporium and drop a wad of cash, there are some things to keep in mind. First, military Humvees aren’t street legal. So before you spend any money, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to make sure you’re in the clear.
Then there’s the fact that the Humvee isn’t exactly a fuel efficient machine. It typically tops out at about 8 or 9 mpg on the highway and 4 around town. So if you’re going to drive a Humvee, you’ll need some serious cash set aside for gas.
Another thing to consider is that the Humvee is getting replaced by something called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. This new vehicle is lighter and more resistant to explosions. But the Humvee will still be used in some tactical roles until it’s fully retired.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to consider before you decide to buy a Military Humvee. However, if you do decide to take the plunge, Armormax will be happy to help outfit your vehicle with the best armoring equipment available. So what are you waiting for? Get a quote today! You won’t regret it. We promise. And we’ll deliver it with a smile on our face. (We’ll probably even wear a suit and tie to do it.)
The Price
When it comes to buying a military Humvee, the price can vary based on condition. Older ones that need repairs and missing parts will be more expensive than newer models. The type of add-ons can also have an effect on the cost.
Another factor to consider is the vehicle’s status within the military. Standard vehicles, known as GSAs, get replaced on a regular rotation. Tactical vehicles like the Humvee, on the other hand, stay in service until a replacement is needed.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a military Humvee, be sure to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what laws apply. It’d be a shame to spend all that money on a vehicle you can’t drive legally on the road.
Military surplus Humvees are street-legal in many states, but they’ll need to meet your state’s requirements for safety features, such as headlights, tail lights, and mirrors. Additionally, you’ll have to make sure that your HMMWV meets your state’s emissions and exhaust standards.
While it may seem like a lot of work to turn a military Humvee into a street-legal vehicle, it’s possible. And once you do, you’ll have a badass truck that will be sure to turn heads.