The Marine Corps is moving slowly to replace the Humvee with the lighter Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. But the replacements aren’t as fast and armored as the old trucks.
The HMMWV, or Humvee, is the Army’s most common vehicle. It’s also the vehicle of choice for a number of foreign militaries. Click Visit Website to know more.
The armor of a Military Humvee is designed to protect the occupants from small arms fire, shrapnel and some explosives. It is typically 7 to 14 millimeters thick and consists of steel or aluminum plates. There are several different types of add-on armor kits available for the Humvee, and each one has a slightly different effect on the vehicle’s overall weight. These add-on armor kits range from light cloth doors that drastically reduce the vehicle’s weight, to heavy steel or aluminum doors that add protection and weigh more than a standard Humvee.
The need for more armor on the HMMWVs arose after it was found that crews were being killed by both small arms fire and roadside bombs. The soft-skinned vehicles could not withstand the force of such attacks and US troops in Iraq were forced to resort to using sandbags, plywood and cannibalized armor to try and protect themselves.
A number of companies began developing armoring kits for the HMMWV. One such company, ArmorWorks, was awarded a $30 million contract for the first batch of kits. The Army also began purchasing large numbers of new armored Humvees for Iraq. By the end of 2004, Army employees at four depots and two arsenals in the US were working three shifts a day to produce enough HMMWV armoring kits and armored Humvees to keep up with demand.
These kits can be purchased online and are easy to install. They offer more protection than the standard Humvee and can be customized with various features, including night vision, shock spikes, shocking door handles, gas masks and runflat tires. Despite the added weight of these add-ons, the vehicle’s weight remains relatively low.
The newest versions of the Humvee have armor that is designed to withstand the forces of IEDs and roadside bombs, as well as high-volume offensive fire. The armor is made of energy-absorbing materials and mounts, and it can withstand up to 12 pounds of blast. This level of protection is only possible because the Humvee is so much larger than Jeeps and other fast-moving wheeled vehicles that can easily outrun it.
Fuel Efficiency
As the military’s number one energy consumer, the Humvee is constantly burning up fuel. That’s why the company has been improving its vehicles over time with stronger engines, tougher transmissions and more durable frames to handle all that weight.
However, even with the best of upgrades, a Humvee still eats through tons of gas per hour. So, it’s no surprise that it can be difficult to keep them running smoothly in the face of harsh conditions like desert heat and frigid snow.
But that doesn’t mean the Army is ready to give up on the Humvee just yet. In fact, it’s investing some of its own money in new Humvee variants, from a narrower version that can fit inside a CH-53 helicopter to an upgunned vehicle armed with a 105mm howitzer.
The latest model, the FED Bravo, is able to achieve more than twice as many miles per gallon as a traditional Humvee. The vehicle, which is a part of the army’s Energy & Sustainability Technology Fair, uses a custom engine and transmission to accomplish this. It also has a solar panel on its roof that can recharge the vehicle’s battery pack, allowing soldiers to use it to power electronics or run tools on the battlefield.
Besides being more efficient, the FED is also bulletproof. It can withstand electromagnetic pulses (EMP) that can render most modern military vehicles useless, according to the Army News Service. It also has a backup generator that will keep the vehicle’s electrical system working in case of an EMP.
While the Humvee may be old news to many, the Army is still using it and expects the vehicles to remain in service until 2050. And if you’re curious about what it’s like to drive one, you can actually buy a used HMMWV from a military surplus auction site such as GovPlanet. Just make sure to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what specific rules apply. After all, it wouldn’t do to have a military surplus truck that you can’t use on the road!
Performance
The Humvee has seen more of the world than most people, thanks to its deployment in countless war zones and humanitarian missions. And even though the military’s revolutionary light utility vehicle is getting replaced by a new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, there are thousands still in use around the globe. And that means ways to make the Humvee faster and safer are always on the table.
The HMMWV, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, was a military game changer right from the start. It’s tough and nimble, has great offroad capability and can be modified to go places and do things other vehicles simply cannot.
It’s no surprise the Humvee is so popular with the military and civilians alike. Whether it’s for work or just for fun, these vehicles are a thrill to drive. But even with a massive engine, the HMMWV isn’t exactly a speed demon. In stock form, it takes a hefty 36 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour. But with a little help, that time can drop down to 21 seconds.
That’s where Banks Power of Azusa, California comes in. The company’s engineers took a standard, mil-spec HMMWV and gave it their Banks Tuning treatment. The result? It adds 113 horsepower and 219 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to give the Humvee a much-needed boost in performance and shave 15 seconds off its 0-60 time.
Of course, the real test for the Humvee is not how fast it can go but how reliably it can get the job done. In a recent government test, up-armored Humvees from Oshkosh and Lockheed Martin logged the most miles between mission failures. The Army’s own HMMWVs came in second, followed by the JLTV entrants from AM General.
Despite all the armor and electronic improvements that have been made to the Humvee over the years, some critics argue that it’s just not up to the task of modern warfare. But the manufacturer of the Humvee says that the problem with many of the more advanced vehicles is their complexity. They have too many computers and circuits that an enemy could hack with malware, scramble with directed microwaves or fry with electromagnetic pulses from nuclear bombs.
Safety
The Military Humvee is a serious vehicle designed to take on all kinds of terrain. It’s equipped with rugged all-terrain tires and has a generous ground clearance that makes it easy to tackle challenging obstacles like rocks and fallen trees. This type of vehicle can also be equipped with a winch to help drivers pull themselves out of ditches and other sticky situations.
The HMMWV has been around for decades and continues to be the main light utility truck of the US Armed Forces. It replaced the M151 jeeps that were in use at the time, which were no match for modern roadside bombs and other dangers faced by soldiers on the front lines.
Known for its off-roading capabilities and all-terrain versatility, the Humvee is one of the most popular military vehicles among civilians today. Many enthusiasts have converted their personal vehicles into powerful off-road warriors using a wide variety of upgrades. Some of the most common additions include off-road tires, a high-powered engine and improved suspension. Other upgrades include armor upfitting and a new cooling system.
In addition to its impressive off-road capability, the HMMWV has a unique design that makes it a reliable and survivable military vehicle. Its aluminum body is incredibly sturdy and its components are protected by a thick layer of steel plating. This protective coating keeps the vehicle’s inner structure safe from corrosion and damage, even in harsh conditions like sand or desert.
Another advantage of the HMMWV is that it can be easily transported and dropped from a plane, making it more efficient for military operations. Its lightweight construction also contributes to its fuel efficiency. In fact, a Humvee can drive further on a gallon of fuel than the average SUV.
The HMMWV has a unique undercarriage that allows it to ride higher than most trucks. This is accomplished by using axels that connect to the top of the tire instead of the center. This also creates space for the underside of the vehicle to sit farther up, which prevents it from being damaged by tall objects.