AM GENERAL HUMVEE, THE MILITARY HUMMER

The development of what was officially designated the "High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle" (HMMWV) began in 1979, when 61 manufacturers received a programme specification sheet outlining the requirements for the future vehicle.

AM General, one of only three firms to submit proposals, was awarded a production contract in March 1983. The first production example of what came to be called the Humvee rolled off the assembly line in January 1985, inaugurating the first series of a range that would eventually comprise up to 16 variants. A powerful V8 engine and innovative transmissions gave it an extraordinary off-road capability combined with the ability to reach very high speeds on hard surfaces.

Although it was never considered an armoured fighting vehicle, the Humvee did give rise to factory variants fitted with "basic armour" or "add-on armour"; however, when faced with the improvised explosive devices prevalent in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Humvee's shortcomings became glaringly apparent and triggered an up-armoring programme. Additional armour means additional weight, and additional weight places greater stress on the chassis and running gear — which ultimately sounded the death knell of the vehicle.

In 2011, the US government announced that the Humvee would be replaced by an entirely new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Humvee production, at least for the US Army, ultimately exceeded 280,000 vehicles.

This work describes the Humvee in detail, recounts the history of its development, places the vehicle in its historical and military context, and highlights its principal characteristics. For prospective owners, it addresses the issues of acquisition, restoration and operation of the Humvee, and tackles the thorny question of price.