HMMWV replacement process

The HMMWV replacement process, now being undertaken by the US Military is an effort to replace the current AM General HMMWV. The HMMWV has evolved several times since its introduction, and is now used in tactical roles for which it was never originally intended. The US Military is currently pursuing several initiatives to replace it, both in the short and long term. The short term replacement efforts utilize COTS vehicles, while the long term efforts currently focus on building requirements for the HMMWV replacement and technology research and evaluation in the form of various prototype vehicles.

hort Term

In the short term, HMMWVs in service in Iraq are being replaced by Category 1 MRAP vehicles, primarily the Force Protection Cougar H and the International MaxxPro. [ [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2007/06/more-mraps-1200-maxxpro-mpvs-from-navistar/index.php More MRAPs: Navistar’s MaxxPro Maintains the Pole Position ] ] The US Marine Corps plans to replace all HMMWVs patrolling "outside the wire" with MRAP vehicles.

Long Term

The U.S. Military is seeking a long term replacement for the HMMWV under the Future Tactical Truck Systems program, which is seeking to introduce a Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) and a Utility Vehicle (UV), similar in purpose to the HMMWV. To evaluate possible future truck systems and designs, the U.S. Army's Tank and Automotive Command refereed the Future Tactical Truck Systems - Advanced Concepts and Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program. Navistar International and Lockheed Martin's proposals, the International FTTS and Lockheed FTTS Utility Vehicles were selected, as well as the Armor Holdings proposal for the MSV.http://www.ausa.org/pdfdocs/TBIP-TWV06.pdf] In August 2006 they were tested at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Following this evaluation they were parked in The Pentagon courtyard for evaluation by higher ranking military officials.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, a joint effort between the United States Army, USSOCOM, and the United States Marine Corps to build a replacement for the HMMWV in its role as a tactical vehicle has submitted an Initial Capabilities Document, and is seeking the approval of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Following that approval, they will begin to build a requirements list with the assistance and input of the FTTS program and the Office of Naval Research among others. [http://www.defense-update.com/products/j/jltv.htm Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) ] ]

The Office of Naval Research has selected General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Truck to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) mock-ups and conceptual designs, modeling and simulation to provide trade off analysis for the evaluation of future development of such vehicles. It would be a family of light armored wheeled vehicles with combat capability to provide more protection than the HMMWV.

The Office of Naval Research has also funded several projects to research other technologies that may be implemented on the HMMWV replacement, including the Shadow RST-V and Georgia Tech's ULTRA AP, a combat concept vehicle based on the F350 chassis, but with a "blast bucket" passenger compartment, and Ultra 3T, a project with more advanced (but unproven) technologies.

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