With its boxy looks and ability to mount weapons and turrets, the Humvee is one of the most recognizable military vehicles in history. Its nickname—the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV—says it all.
Here are some cool humvee facts: It can carry up to 2,500 pounds, has full-time four-wheel drive and independent suspension, and can climb slopes of 60% and more. Its riveted, bonded aluminum body panels provide premium strength and flexibility for off-road performance. Click the Humvee Interior to learn more.
The military used a lot of vehicles before the Humvee. There were hot-rodded Jeeps when the Army needed an off-roader, trucks ranging from 2.5 to 5 tons, and various trailers that could be attached depending on the mission. But the Humvee was a game changer, easily dominating the extreme terrains of Iraq and Afghanistan. And it also drew civilian attention, spawning the Hummer brand that continues to thrive today. Originally, the name of the military vehicle was High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or HMMWV for short. But that cumbersome acronym didn’t roll off the tongue, so soldiers began simply calling the truck the Humvee. The name stuck, and now the vehicle is known by that moniker in the US, though it still goes by HMMWV abroad.
The Humvee proved so successful that the military quickly grew it into several different configurations to serve a range of purposes. They created a version designed to carry ambulances and shelters, a variant that could act as a pseudo-tank, and even a gun truck with a 105mm howitzer on top.
But as the War in Iraq and later the War in Afghanistan wore on, the original unarmored design proved vulnerable to roadside bombs that turned them into rolling coffins. The Army hastily up-armored select models and began replacing frontline Humvees with the more heavily armored MRAP. The process continued with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, a new model that’s stronger and faster than the Humvee.
And so the Humvee has survived for decades, gaining a following that extends far beyond the military and into pop culture, where it has appeared in everything from TV shows to video games. Despite this, the days of frontline humvees seem to be coming to an end. The Army is slowly phasing out the vehicles in favor of the JLTV, and the future of the Hummer brand doesn’t look bright either, as GM has already begun to scale back, sell off or shut down production.
The Design
Humvees are designed to replace the many different Jeeps and light trucks that the US Army uses for transporting cargo and soldiers. They are incredibly versatile and can be modified into a variety of configurations including troop carriers, armament carriers, ambulances and shelter carriers. The Humvee has more than 15 variants and is available worldwide.
The Humvee was originally designed by AM General for a competition that the US Army called for a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The winner would be a jack-of-all-trades replacement for the jeeps and other light vehicles in use at the time. The winning design featured a four-wheel drive system that could tackle obstacles that would stop most other vehicles. It also featured independent front and rear suspension and the ability to climb a 60% slope.
To increase the strength of the Humvee, the frame and body were made out of aluminum. This allowed the vehicle to flex and absorb shocks while keeping weight down. Aluminum is also stronger than steel and doesn’t rust, which makes it ideal for military vehicles. The Humvee has a number of armor kits to protect the vehicle and its passengers. These include fragmentation kits five and seven, which are designed to protect against IEDs and small arms fire respectively.
Besides the US Armed Forces, there are several countries that produce their own versions of the Humvee. For instance, the Direccion General de Industria Militar (DGIM) of the Mexican Army builds a version of the Humvee that is similar to the US-built model. However, the DGIM’s Humvees are slightly longer and feature an automatic transmission. They are equipped with a Mercedes diesel engine and feature an anti-spalling layer that protects the passenger compartment from explosions and shrapnel.
The Engine
The Humvee, or HMMWV as it is officially known, sits at the core of the US Army’s wheeled vehicle fleet. It is highly versatile and comes in 17 different variations from troop carriers to armored vehicles to ambulances. Each of these variations can be fitted with different weapon systems and a number of communications equipment, but they all share the same chassis and engine. This allows soldiers to learn a single set of skills that will allow them to work on any of the various variants of the vehicle.
The vehicle uses a 6.2 or 6.5 Detroit Diesel V-8 engine that is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine can also be outfitted with a turbocharger for added power. The unique drivetrain of the Humvee gives it incredible maneuverability and enables it to climb slopes up to 60 percent. It can easily outperform the speed of a cheetah and is capable of traveling 70 miles per hour.
This versatility means the Humvee can be used for a variety of missions, from hauling troops to transporting cargo. They are often used as mobile command posts, equipped with sophisticated communications and detection gear. They can be armed with weapons such as the Browning M2HB.50 caliber heavy machine gun and the Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. They were even used in the 2005 film War of the Worlds as part of Military forces battling alien invaders.
The Humvee’s popularity was further boosted by its widespread use in the Gulf War. However, its unarmored design was seen as vulnerable to improvised explosive devices during the Iraq War, leading the U.S. to quickly up-armor select models and replace them with the more protective MRAP.
The Suspension
The military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV for short, is a true beast. Its suspension, engine, and transmission are all built for a purpose: to conquer tough terrain that no other vehicle can tackle. The Humvee has proven that over and over again during the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the current war in Afghanistan.
Although the Army has been steadily replacing Humvees with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, that doesn’t mean it is going to stop using them for anything short of a full-scale ground war. They’re still an invaluable asset to any branch of the military, from the National Guard and Air Force to the Marines and the CIA.
They’re great at transporting soldiers and equipment, navigating difficult terrain, and even serving as a mobile command center for a mission. They’re also highly customizable, with different doors and armor configurations available. And they’re incredibly durable, capable of withstanding heavy fire and roadside bombs.
Despite their impressive abilities, there are still some things that could make the Humvee better. That’s why Banks Power is working on a performance upgrade for the HUMMER. It will add a new turbo and exhaust system, allowing the vehicle to move faster over challenging terrain.
This new addition will give the HMMWV a power boost that’s perfect for off-road driving, especially on the rocky Nevada desert. The new setup will be able to take on terrain that would make a professional desert racer wince, and at speeds that are dangerous to anyone not in a Humvee. It’s a package that will be made available to special forces in the four branches of the military, as well as law enforcement agencies like the Border Patrol and Secret Service.
The Interior
The US military has had a lot of motorized land vehicles over the years. From hot-rodded Jeeps to the mine-resistant armored vehicles of today, it’s hard to name a vehicle that has been as iconic as the Humvee.
While the military is currently moving away from the Humvee in favor of a new vehicle called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), there are still plenty of Humvees on the front lines and in reserve around the world. The JLTV might be better at many things than the old Humvee, but it’s not clear that it’s actually better for the kinds of combat situations where the HMMWV excelled in the past.
Despite their size, humvees are surprisingly agile and can be outfitted with a wide range of upgrades to improve performance, comfort, and safety. One of the most popular upgrades is a suspension system that allows the vehicle to be raised or lowered as needed, which can make it easier for soldiers to get in and out of the vehicle.
Another important upgrade is a set of customized floor mats or liners that protect the interior from dirt, wear and moisture. These durable, custom-fitted accessories are available in a variety of colors and materials to complement the style of your vehicle.
More specialized upgrades include seat upgrades, unique storage solutions, advanced GPS and navigation systems, and upgraded security features. A professional installation is often necessary for these more complex upgrades, but they can be well worth the investment in terms of time, skill and cost.