The Humvee (HMMWV) is a motor vehicle produced by the AM General which has substituted the Jeeps in the early 80s. Originally designed for transport of troops behind the front lines, the HMMWV has been widely used also in urban combat zones, such as in many Iraqi cities.
HMMWV is an exceptional off-road vehicle, with particularly steep approach angle, a ground clearance of about 16 inches(?41 cm) and remarkable for its width and its relatively low silhouette responsible for its grotesque flatness. High ground clearance is a prerequisite for major mobility while the low silhouette is important for the camouflage. The HMMWVs are capable of fording for considerable depths (?1 m) or even ?1,5m has the deep water fording kit been installed. They weight about 2700 kg while HMMWVs` loading capacity is of 1,25 tons. HMMWVs are remarkable for the wide range of weapons they can accommodate among which anti tank missiles, while being possible to use them as howitzer movers as well. HMMWVs are evolving rapidly, this is also due to the wide use that is made of them in US military missions all over the world where also different flaws are discovered. Lately a model has been produced which allows the gunner to operate from inside the vehicle.
Disk brakes on all four the wheels, make this beast easy to control but also increase the degree of precision in the movements made.
From a strategic point of view HMMWVs proved to be particularly valuable as they are air transportable, which confers them significant tactical importance and a crucial role in many military tactiques.
HMMWVs have no system installed which provides the operators with any kind of protection against nuclear, biological or chemical threats. Still different accessories are being designed to make up for many flaws, most of which responsible for the relatively high vulnerability of the operators . Some of the innovations the original HMMWV has gone through are: bullet resistant glass, air conditioning, more powerful engine and fully armored passenger area protected by hardened steel.
Originally, the HMMWVs were designed as machines capable of transporting the now heavier weapons and electronic packages, being the jeeps inadequate to do that. So, by the end of the `80s the HMMWVs filled the gap left by the inadequate Jeeps and also marked the beginning of a new era in the US Army. Since then they have also been used as ambulances. Even with the HMMWVs, the weight is being minimized with time as to provide the maximal functionality with the minimal possible weight.
Important battles, where HMMWVs were widely employed are the battle of Mogadishu and most of the battles fought in Iraq. What is to be remembered about these battles and the HMMWVs` performance in them is the great number of losses and the weaknesses the battles have revealed of these apparently unbeatable beasts.
Recent HMMWV models are the following: the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger (avenger air defense system) which provides short range air defense for ground units, and the HLONS.