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The Humvee was Known officially as the M998 Series, 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 mobile, versatile and fast, and replaced an assortment of vehicles, including: some M880s 1 1/4-ton pick-up trucks, some M151s 1/4-ton utility vehicles [the old jeep], all M274s 1/4-ton Mules, and all M561s 1-1/2-ton Gama Goats, The Humvee`s were tested for more than 600,000 miles over courses simulating worldwide off-road conditions in combat environments. Drivers from the Army and AM General did everything they could think of to make them fail. They drove the Humvee`s 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. The Humvee`s are air transportable, reliable, maintainable and survivable. They meet all of these requirements while incorporating new standards of reliability for combat vehicles.
The HMMWV has another advantage over other vehicles, which 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 that 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. The HMMWV has a full 16 inches of 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.
The original M998 has a 6.2-liter V-8 diesel engine, with a 25-gallon fuel tank and a curb weight of approximately 5,200 lbs., a payload of 2,500 lbs. It has a range of up to 300 miles without refueling and can accelerate from 0-30 mph in eight second. Three HMMWVs can be deployed from C-130 Hercules transport, six in the C-141B Star lifter and 15 in the C-5A Galaxy. The Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System can deliver it without the aircraft having to land under combat conditions. Two HMMWVs can be slung from a CH-47 Chinook or a CH-53 helicopter, while can be slung from a UH-60A Blackhawk during tactical operations. The performance potential of the Humvee has been described as unlimited, due to its multipurpose platform. Its ability to accommodate a wide range of weapons like a 7.62 mm and .50 caliber machine guns, and the MK 19 40 mm grenade launcher. The weapons carrier HMMWV has anti-tank lethality in the form of the TOW missile system. The Humvee`s capacity for accommodating a wide range of systems on a common platform will make it major contributions to tactical operations of U.S. Armed Forces well into the 21st century. The Army selected the Humvee over two competitors, after many months of intensive testing by the Army and the Marine Corps. The winning design incorporated high ground clearance, low silhouette, forward visibility and minimum weight, all combined with ease of operation and reliability. |
