Various militaries around the world have produced remarkable vehicles, but few have achieved the iconic status of a cultural touchstone. When we think of World War I, Britain’s Mk IV tank immediately comes to mind. No Vietnam War movie is complete without the distinctive sound of a UH-1 helicopter and the anthem “Fortunate Son.” Similarly, the enduring image of American service members in the Middle East is inextricably linked to the sight of the Military Hummer.
Civilians often refer to it as a Hummer, while the U.S. military officially designates it as the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle). Service members affectionately call it the Humvee, and those in Motor-T (motor transport) might have less polite names for it. Regardless of the name used, this formidable truck, the military Hummer, stands as one of the most legendary military vehicles ever created.
From Jeep Upgrade to Military Hummer: The Genesis
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion and 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, participate in cold-weather vehicle maneuverability training near Bjerkvik, Norway, Feb. 21, 2020, as part of exercise Cold Response. This training prepares them to operate the military hummer in challenging environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaiah Campbell)
In the early 1980s, the U.S. military faced a challenge with aging equipment. While its personnel were cutting-edge, some of its vehicles were showing their age. The military was still using the 1911 pistol, a relic of World War I, and the M151 jeep, a lightweight 4×4 that was a direct descendant of the World War II Willys Jeep.
The need arose for a new vehicle that retained the rugged off-road capabilities of the jeep but offered significantly more cargo space to accommodate the increasingly sophisticated equipment of modern warfare.
As a 1983 background paper on the Humvee’s development noted, and reported by The New York Times, “The increase in size, sophistication, and crew requirements for new communications, weapons, and missile systems strains the load-carrying ability and mobility of the jeep beyond its limits.” The military Hummer was conceived as the solution.
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or military Hummer, entered service in 1984 and experienced its first combat deployment five years later in Panama. It effectively bridged the capability gap between the smaller M151 jeep and the larger M809 truck, according to The Guardian. Like larger military equipment, it utilized diesel fuel instead of gasoline for enhanced logistical efficiency and durability.
The initial M998 A0 series military Hummer was equipped with a 6.2-liter turbocharged V8 engine, providing a payload capacity of 2,500 pounds. Later iterations of the military Hummer boasted even greater payload capacities, reaching up to 5,100 pounds. This increased capacity, combined with a robust roof structure, enabled the integration of various weapon systems such as machine gun turrets and even low-altitude air defense systems, alongside more advanced ambulance configurations.
Soldiers from the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment maneuver their military Hummer through a water hazard at Fort Hood Training Area 11-12, Texas, April 23, 2014. The Humvee’s off-road capabilities are rigorously tested in diverse training scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ken Scar)
While larger and heavier than the M151 jeep, the military Hummer demonstrated superior off-road performance. Despite its height of just 72 inches, it offered an impressive 16 inches of ground clearance. The implementation of portal axles elevated the entire drivetrain above the wheel hubs, maximizing ground clearance across the vehicle’s seven-foot width. This design is a key feature of the military hummer’s off-road prowess.
Independent front and rear suspension, coupled with advanced shock absorbers and torque-biasing differentials, allowed the military Hummer to maintain traction in challenging terrains that would immobilize conventional four-wheel-drive vehicles. For added protection, the disc brakes were strategically positioned inboard, near the differentials and between the frame rails.
The military Hummer’s aluminum body contributed to weight reduction despite its substantial size. Compared to steel, aluminum offers greater body flex in off-road conditions and enhances corrosion resistance, simplifying maintenance and extending the vehicle’s lifespan in harsh environments.
The military Hummer achieved immediate success. Its unmatched off-road capability and rugged durability resonated with both military personnel and the public. Its distinctive appearance also captured civilian attention, with many desiring a civilian version, as noted by Task and Purpose. For two decades, the military Hummer seemed unstoppable. However, its ultimate test would not be on rough terrain but in the urban battlefields of the 21st century.
Military Hummer: The Unofficial Vehicle of the War on Terror
Marines from 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, utilize a military Hummer to provide security during Operation Bonneville Flats in the desert southwest of Lake Habbaniyah, Iraq, July 9, 2008. The Humvee proved its worth in desert warfare, but faced new challenges in urban environments. (Courtesy of DVIDS)
During the U.S.-led military operations in Iraq in 1991 and 2003, the military Hummer excelled in its intended role. Its robust design and off-road capabilities enabled rapid movement across vast desert expanses, becoming a symbol of swift military power, often accompanied by a powerful soundtrack.
However, following the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, the nature of the mission shifted dramatically. The military Hummer transitioned from a vehicle primarily used for rapid troop and equipment transport across open terrain to an urban patrol vehicle in highly dangerous urban environments. In this new context, the Hummer’s aluminum body offered inadequate protection against small arms fire, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and rocket-propelled grenades. These threats transformed the once-formidable military Hummer into a vulnerable target, leading to significant casualties.
Two Paratroopers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division observe two military Humvees passing their patrol on a street in Tall Afar, Iraq, Sept. 18, 2005. Urban warfare exposed the Humvee’s vulnerabilities, leading to armor upgrades and the development of replacement vehicles. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt)
To enhance the protection of service members patrolling cities like Ramadi and Fallujah, the military initiated a program to retrofit military Humvees with armor plating and bulletproof windows. While this added armor improved survivability, it came at a considerable cost. The substantial increase in weight made the military Hummer sluggish, less maneuverable, and prone to rollovers. The added strain on the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and chassis resulted in accelerated wear and an increase in mechanical failures. Critically, the armored doors had a dangerous tendency to jam, trapping occupants inside during attacks.
The JLTV: A New Era for Military Light Vehicles
U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, utilize Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to establish 360-degree security at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 30, 2020. The JLTV represents the next generation of military light vehicles, building upon lessons learned from the Humvee’s service. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Mustard)
The ad-hoc armoring of the military Hummer, while necessary, was ultimately a temporary solution. The experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan highlighted the need for a purpose-built vehicle with integrated armor and enhanced protection. The Pentagon recognized that a new platform was required to replace the aging Humvee fleet.
According to a detailed comparison by Motor Trend, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps began replacing the military Hummer with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) in 2018. Despite being designated “light,” the JLTV is a substantial vehicle, weighing approximately 14,000 pounds.
The JLTV was selected as the Humvee’s successor due to its superior armor protection, a V-shaped hull designed to deflect mine blasts, increased suspension travel, locking differentials, and a powerful 400-horsepower turbo diesel engine, outperforming even the most potent Humvee engines.
Forbes reported in 2021 that 10,000 military Humvees had been replaced by the JLTV. This replacement process is expected to continue into the 2030s due to the scale of the existing Humvee fleet, the considerable cost of replacement, and evolving military requirements.
While the JLTV represents a significant advancement over the military Hummer in many aspects, particularly in survivability and performance in modern combat scenarios, it does not render the Humvee obsolete. The military is expected to maintain a fleet of Humvees as a versatile and adaptable asset for a range of roles and contingencies.
The Enduring Global Legacy of the Military Hummer
A military Hummer is loaded onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to Bravo Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 28, 2020, during air assault training at the 28th ECAB’s mobilization station. The Humvee’s versatility extends to air transport, enabling rapid deployment to diverse locations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Darrell Sutton)
Since its introduction in 1983, the military Hummer has been deployed across almost every corner of the globe. A search on DVIDS, the military’s media archive, reveals countless images and videos of the military Hummer operating in diverse locations including the U.S., Iraq, Japan, Germany, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Australia, Italy, Poland, Spain, Norway, and Guam.
The military Hummer has proven its capability in a wide array of environments, from mud and sand to rocks, snow, and ice. This adaptable 4×4 has excelled in desert concealment, highway towing, and even airborne operations, being transported by CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters, deployed with Marine Expeditionary Units at sea, and airlifted across continents in transport aircraft.
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter conducts an external lift exercise with a military Hummer during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-18 at Auxiliary Airfield 2, Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 27, 2017. The Humvee’s ability to be airlifted by helicopters enhances its tactical flexibility and rapid deployment capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Allison Lotz)
As military threats evolved from Cold War-era large-scale conflicts to counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military Hummer adapted accordingly. Initially designed as a high-speed off-road transport, it was transformed into an armored fighting vehicle and mobile outpost to meet the changing demands of modern warfare.
Although the military Hummer has been largely withdrawn from front-line combat roles for over a decade, and the JLTV has been actively replacing it for the past five years, Humvees remain in service across active duty, reserve, and National Guard bases.
The iconic military Hummer is undoubtedly entering its twilight years. However, it has firmly established a significant place in American military history and popular culture, earning its legendary status through decades of service and unwavering performance.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians and Seabees from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Five, assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75, practice off-road driving skills in a military Hummer in Yigo, Guam, June 22, 2023. The Humvee continues to serve in various roles, including training and support, highlighting its enduring utility. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Chad M. Butler)
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