Ware, Pat AM General Humvee

Le Hummer Militaire

Development of the vehicle officially designated the "High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle" (HUMWV) began in 1979, when 61 manufacturers received a specification sheet outlining the requirements for the future vehicle. AM General, one of only three companies to submit bids, was awarded the production contract in March 1983. The first production model of what would become the Humvee rolled off the assembly line in January 1985, marking the beginning of a line of up to 16 variants. A powerful V8 engine and innovative transmissions gave it exceptional off-road capability, combined with the ability to reach very high speeds on paved roads. Although the Humvee was never designed as an armored fighting vehicle, it was available in factory versions with "base armor" or "add-on armor." However, the prevalence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan led to a program to enhance its armor. Additional armor meant increased weight, which in turn increased the stress on the chassis and drivetrain, ultimately sealing the vehicle's fate. In 2011, the US government announced it would replace the Humvee with an entirely new JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle). Humvee production, at least for the US Army, eventually exceeded 280,000 vehicles.