Humvees are a military vehicle that can also be owned by civilians. They can be purchased at surplus auctions like GovPlanet and require a license to drive them on the road.
Replacing the flat-like jeep utility vehicles it was designed to replace, the Humvee has become an icon both on and off the battlefield. It’s low profile and wide stance make it instantly recognizable. If you are looking for a Humvee For Sale, click the link provided.
The Humvee is the world’s most versatile light military vehicle. Its rugged design and all-terrain capabilities make it a workhorse in harsh environments. The vehicle has been modified to suit a variety of uses, from ambulances to troop transports to wire command-guided antitank missile launchers. It has a top speed of 70mph and can be driven for extended periods without refuelling. The HMMWV, as it is known, can be fitted with different armor levels to suit the needs of individual missions.
The original HMMWV was introduced in 1983 and became an icon of the Gulf War, but it soon came under attack by roadside bombs. Armour kits were rushed to the field, but the insurgency continued to find ways to evade the vehicles. The vehicles were withdrawn from service in 2018, with the Army and Marine Corps replacing them with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
While the JLTV is lighter than the Humvee, it offers superior protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other types of attack. The winner of the contract to produce the new vehicle will have to deliver on all fronts, including off-road performance and a high level of protection. Three major contenders are BAE Systems, Oshkosh Defense, and the original Humvee manufacturer AM General.
With thousands of HMMWVs still in the US inventory, and cost pressures affecting several acquisition programmes, it’s possible that the Humvee could experience a 21st century re-birth as a low-cost unmanned ground vehicle. The vehicle would be able to operate at the forefront of advancing troops, providing intelligence, firepower, and surveillance, while freeing up more manned vehicles for crucial combat missions. Such a vehicle could also be used as a scout platform to monitor enemy positions and to provide warnings when approaching mines are detected.
History
In the 1980s, when humvees first appeared, they were heralded as military-style SUVs that boosted soldiers’ mobility. Squat and sturdier than Jeeps, humvees were used as troop carriers, command centers, and ambulances. They could traverse wide desert sands and get 14 m.p.g. on fuel, which made them a symbol of American extravagance that even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoyed (more than a decade before he became a champion of emissions standards and war-averse).
The Army’s desire for a “jack-of-all-trades” light tactical vehicle prompted it to seek competitive bids from military equipment makers. AM General, maker of the military jeep, AMC’s commercial jeep, and Teledyne Continental Motors submitted prototypes. But it was AM General’s humvee, which the military named High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV, that was picked.
HMMWVs quickly supplanted the old M151 Jeeps and Vietnam War-era M561 Gama Goats. They proved surprisingly versatile, durable, and reliable, with only minor upgrades needed as the military learned how to operate them. The only major drawback was that a basic HMMWV offered no protection against roadside bombs, as the Battle of Mogadishu in 1991 (featured in the film Black Hawk Down) would soon demonstrate.
To counter this, the Army began purchasing up-armored versions of HMMWVs to protect soldiers from enemy fire and roadside explosives. The new vehicles, known as MRAPs, were more robust but also much heavier and more prone to rollover than the older trucks. This is a big part of why the military has decided to go back to its roots by opting for a simpler design in its next-gen Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. It’s something AM General is pushing hard, with a prototype that the company says offers four-fold greater reliability than current models.
Design
The military humvee has the power to get the job done without being flashy. Its advanced design features axels that connect to the top of the tires, which allows the vehicle to climb over obstacles and stay high off the ground. The engine is also built under the cabin, which allows the vehicle to avoid damage from roadside bombs. In addition, the HMMWV is easier to maintain than civilian trucks.
The Humvee was designed as AM General’s entry in the HMMWV competition – a US Army requirement for a new jack-of-all-trades replacement for jeeps and light trucks. The resulting vehicle proved more useful than expected in combat, especially for patrolling “outside the wire.” However, it’s also not as protective as many other vehicles on the battlefield. AM General admits that even uparmored Humvees are vulnerable to IED blasts. While it’s easy to add armor, a lot of the shock from an explosion still gets transmitted directly to the passengers. In contrast, the JLTV and other armored vehicles are built from the inside out to protect passengers from IEDs and other threats.
Humvees are also prone to being overloaded with guns, turrets, and missiles that strain the load-carrying capability of the base vehicle. While the military is working to replace Humvees with the lighter and better-protected Oshkosh JLTV, it’s going to be difficult for them to move from one type of war machine to another – both financially and logistically.
One solution is the HUMVEE Charge hybrid-electric light tactical vehicle. It uses commercial-off-the-shelf technology to create a hybrid electric drive system that combines the traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor. This combination offers improved fuel efficiency, operational stealth, and acceleration. It can also be modified with a variety of accessories, from mounted machine guns to wire command-guided anti-tank missile launchers.
Performance
The HMMWV, or Humvee, as it is colloquially known, is the main vehicle in the US Army’s wheeled fleet. Its impressive capabilities and versatility have earned it a reputation as an intimidating and scary truck. It is a formidable presence, and for good reason.
This light utility workhorse can carry up to seven people in a one-plus-one or two-plus-two seating arrangement depending on the model. Its modular design makes it flexible enough to meet a wide range of missions and requirements, from basic troop transport to medical aid.
Riveted and bonded aluminum body panels provide premium strength, low weight, and flexibility to help with off-road performance. The vehicle’s rust-resistant coating helps to keep it in top condition. This is important because any rust can weaken the structure of the vehicle.
The Humvee’s suspension is designed to keep the truck high off the ground. This allows for better driving in difficult conditions and a reduced risk of undercarriage damage. The tires are also positioned closer to the chassis to reduce tire wear and maintenance costs.
In the early 1970s, the US Army realized that it needed a better performing vehicle to replace its M561 Gama Goat and Ford M151 Jeeps. It drafted final specifications for the new High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee. Three contenders – AM General, Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental – were awarded contracts to design and build 11 prototype vehicles for testing. The testing was carried out over rocky hills, deep sand and 60in-deep water, plus desert heat and Arctic snow.
Due to the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in Iraq and Afghanistan, military engineers had to add heavy ad hoc armor to the Humvee. This reduced payload capacity and decreased the vehicle’s braking efficiency. Oshkosh, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer, has developed a driveline and suspension system for the Humvee that restores payload capability and improves braking by 46 percent.
Price
The Humvee is one of the most iconic vehicles in military history. It has been used in many wars and conflicts, from the Invasion of Panama to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The Humvee has also inspired a consumer car brand in the 2000s, and it has become a symbol of American strength and power. However, the price of a Humvee is not cheap.
The price of a Humvee depends on its condition and features. Newer Humvees are in better condition, so they will cost more than older ones. Additionally, if the Humvee has missing or broken parts, it will cost more to repair and upgrade them.
Military surplus Humvees are sold by the government through auctions. These auctions are often held by IronPlanet, a large auction organization. You can find a wide variety of different Humvees at these auctions, including civilian-modified models. You can also find armored Humvees, which are more expensive than regular versions.
Once you’ve found a Humvee that you want to buy, the next step is to get it titled. This process can take between 20 and 60 days, depending on your state’s regulations. To expedite the process, you can hire a professional to handle it for you.
Once your Humvee is titled, you can drive it legally. However, you should be aware that you will need to carry insurance on it. You will also need to pay a registration fee and license plate fees. You should also keep in mind that you will have to maintain your Humvee according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will include routine maintenance and a yearly inspection.