On March 22, 1983 the
U. S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command awarded the AM General
Division of LTV Aerospace and Defense [now AM General Corporation] a
$1.2 billion contract to produce 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled
Vehicles (HMMWV ®, pronounced HUMVEE ®), to be delivered in 15 different
configurations over a five year period.
The contract included an option to increase the number of vehicles purchased
by 100 percent during each of the five option years. The Army eventually
ordered an additional 15,000 option vehicles raising the totals to 70,000
vehicles and $1.6 billion. It was the largest multiyear contract for
tactical wheeled vehicles ever awarded by the U.S. Army.
Known officially as the M998 Series and nicknamed the Hummer ®,
this technologically advanced 1 1/4-ton, 4x4, multipurpose vehicle answered
the armed forces' need for superior mobility in a tactical field environment.
It was versatile, mobile, and fast, and replaced an assortment of vehicles,
including: some M151s (1/4-ton utility vehicles [the old "jeep"]),
all M274s (1/4-ton Mules), all M561s (1-1/2-ton Gama Goats), and some
M880s (1 1/4-ton pick-up trucks).
HMMWVs were tested for more than 600,000 miles over rugged courses simulating
worldwide off-road conditions in combat environments. Drivers from the
Army and AM General did everything possible to make them fail. They
drove HMMWVs over rocky hills, through deep sand and mud, in water up
to 60 inches deep, in desert heat and Arctic cold. Still, HMMWVs passed
with flying colors.
As a centerpiece of the Army's vehicular force modernization, HMMWVs
are air transportable, maintainable, reliable, and survivable. They
meet all of these requirements while incorporating new standards of
reliability for combat vehicles. HMMWVs score high on Reliability, Availability,
Maintainability, and Durability (RAM-D) requirements and specifications.
During Initial Production Tests, the new vehicle proved to be nearly
twice as durable as the Army required.
Another advantage the HMMWV has over other vehicles is its unique multipurpose
platform. Its 15 configurations (cargo/troop carriers, weapons carriers,
ambulances, and shelter carriers) share a common engine, chassis and
transmission, with 44 interchangeable parts. That means fewer training
hours are necessary for the mechanics who will maintain it. Its simplified
supply, maintenance and logistics system — essentially one set
of common parts for 15 configurations — means lower life cycle
costs, which saves tax dollars.
High ground clearance is a prerequisite for superior mobility. The HMMWV
has it — a full 16 inches — an engineering feat considering
that the HMMWV stands only 72 inches high. Full-time four- wheel drive,
independent suspension, steep approach and departure angles, 60 percent
slope-climbing and 60 inch water-fording capability combine with its
high ground clearance to make the HMMWV an exceptional off-road vehicle.
