Whether stuffed with armor or a family car, the Humvee is an icon of military might. It has conquered sand, rocks, and snow, pulled trailers down the highway, and been dangled from helicopters to the seas.
In 2006, when the Iraqi insurgency reached its peak, 67 U.S. soldiers traveling in Humvees were killed by bomb attacks. Bolted with more armor, they were still easy targets for improvised explosive devices. Visit Our Website to learn more.
The HMMWV, or Humvee (shortening of High-Mobility, Multipurpose, Wheeled Vehicle) is one of the most iconic, legendary and easily recognized pieces of U.S. military hardware. It is used by all branches of the United States Army and Marine Corps and it is used for any mission that can be accomplished by a standard troop transport, pickup truck or trailer-puller. HMMWVs are also equipped to carry all sorts of weapons and can be customized with any number of additional features.
The first Humvees went into production in 1979 and the basic model was designed to replace many other types of military vehicles, including jeeps and light trucks. While the basic model has the same overall appearance as a jeep, the Humvee is much longer and is able to carry significantly more weight under combat conditions than a typical civilian truck can.
There are 15 different HMMWV configurations and each one is built to meet specific military needs. Each configuration has a unique name, but all of them have similar components and are built on the same chassis and engine. This allows for a reduced amount of training time and makes maintenance simpler. It also reduces life-cycle costs by reducing the need for replacement parts.
The basic model is capable of carrying up to four passengers, with seats arranged in a one-plus-one or two-plus-two arrangement depending on the configuration. Several weapons systems are available and the vehicles can be fitted with a turret, making them ideal for patrolling or conducting reconnaissance missions.
HMMWVs are designed to be as durable and reliable as possible, so they can endure long periods of sustained use in rough environments. They are often adapted to meet specific battlefield requirements by adding armor and additional equipment, such as thermal imaging and GPS navigation. They can even be fitted with a self-deployable medical helicopter, so they are ready to respond to casualties as soon as they occur.
The military is currently in the process of replacing its old workhorses with new vehicles that are better suited to modern warfare. Short-term efforts involve procuring commercial off-the-shelf vehicles under the MRAP program, and long-term plans call for a new vehicle called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to be designed from the ground up.
Civilian
Despite the fact that the Humvee was originally designed to navigate rough terrain, some of these vehicles are now owned by civilians. This has been made possible by the demilitarization process, which allows these vehicles to be sold to civilians if any restricted components are removed. Many people choose to purchase these vehicles because of their reliability, durability and off-road capability. Others simply love the way that they look, as they have a distinctive military-inspired design that can attract attention and admiration from other motorists.
The Humvee was first developed in the early 1980s, when the U.S. Army sought a vehicle that could easily traverse rough ground. At that time, the army was relying on small jeeps for these types of tasks, and while they worked well in some situations, it was difficult to get supplies to remote locations or maneuver them when they were in combat. This is why the Humvee was invented – it is a light, four-wheel drive military truck that is capable of traversing a variety of environments.
Over the years, the Humvee has become an iconic symbol of American military might, and its presence has also been felt in dozens of other countries around the world. In addition to its military uses, the Humvee has been used by civilians for a wide range of purposes. The folks at GovPlanet often receive questions about this type of vehicle, and they have put together some information to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
One of the biggest concerns when purchasing a military Humvee is whether or not it will be street legal in your state. This can be a complicated question to answer, as each state has different laws and regulations regarding vehicles. In general, however, you can expect to have to modify the engine and exhaust to be able to drive on paved roads.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering a military Humvee is the fact that these trucks are not cheap. They can cost between $30,000 and $50,000, which can be a significant investment for some individuals. It is important to take the time to research your options before making a purchase, so you can ensure that you are getting the best deal possible. If you decide to go with a military Humvee, be sure to work with a company that will provide you with an excellent customer service experience. This will make the entire process as smooth as possible.
Off-Road
As a vehicle designed to get two or more U.S. military men from point A to B quickly over rough terrain, the Humvee is an incredible off-road vehicle. They have very high ground clearance and, when equipped with fording kits, can practically swim in water. Their portal axles lift the drivetrain above the wheel hubs, enabling the vehicles to get through terrain that would stop most trucks.
The Humvee, also known as HMMWV or HUMVEE, conquers mud, rocks and snow like few other vehicles can. The funny-looking 4×4 has evaded detection in the desert, pulled trailers down highways and hopped continents with Marine Expeditionary Units. The HUMVEE has even supplanted older military vehicles, such as the World War II jeep.
With all the media attention a decommissioned HMMWV gets, you might think it’s a crappy vehicle to drive. But it’s really not. It’s a smooth, quiet ride, especially when you lose the doors and hardtop. The only noise is the occasional creak of metal as it flexes.
Some of the earliest Humvees were even equipped with a stereo! It’s no wonder that the vehicles became pop-culture icons; they are easily the most memorable and distinctive-looking cars on the road.
Whether you want to take a decommissioned Humvee off-roading or you’re just interested in how it was made, there are plenty of modifications that can be done to the vehicle. Most notably, a few modifications can make the vehicle street legal and comply with smog laws. It can be a lot of work to convert a Humvee into a regular car, but there’s no denying that it’s an impressive vehicle. Just don’t expect it to be as comfortable as your Jeep Wrangler on your daily commute.
Modifications
The Humvee, or HMMWV as it’s officially called, is so versatile that it can be modified to suit almost any need. The military has used it to test a wide range of new weapons systems, including hybrid-electric engines, lasers and light-weight artillery. Private companies have also used the vehicle to demonstrate their own systems.
The truck’s popularity has spurred several companies to produce armor kits for civilian Humvees, allowing users to customize their vehicles for different situations. These kits are typically made by combining the standard body of the vehicle with the protective and weaponry components of the military model.
While the Humvee has a variety of models, it shares many common parts. This allows military mechanics to work on the vehicle quickly and efficiently. It also helps reduce the cost of repairs.
Some Soldiers have modified their Humvees to make them safer and more comfortable to drive, especially when they’re in combat. These modifications range from simple to complex, but all are designed to improve the Soldiers’ ability to operate their vehicle in hostile environments.
The HMMWV was originally developed in 1983 as a replacement for a number of older, lighter light-wheeled vehicles, such as jeeps. Its versatility and popularity has led to the creation of several armor kits, enabling it to carry a wide variety of equipment, from machine guns to wire command-guided antitank missile launchers.
A pair of Army National Guard soldiers from Alabama who served in Iraq have come up with a simple but effective way to improve the safety and functionality of their Humvees. Sgt. Tracey Sourbeck, a heavy equipment repairman, and Cpl. David Segrest, a radio operator, both with the 200th Engineer Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard, have built a safer gun mount for their unit’s Humvees.
Sourbeck and Segrest have shortened the steel leg that fits in the gun mount to stabilize it, lowering the weapon’s profile and giving the gunner more room to maneuver. They have also added a set of steel shields lined with Kevlar bags that cover the entire turret, protecting the gunner from bullets fired outside the vehicle.