The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General. It has replaced the role of the original jeep and is primarily used by the United States military and multiple countries and organizations, even in civilian adaptations. During and after the Kosovo conflict, the US Army decided to protect a small part of its Humvee fleet. The lightly armored version, M1114, would be heavier – resulting in reduced deployment flexibility.
The demand for an improved up-armored HMMWV, the M1151A1, came during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Coalition Forces traveling in soft skin Humvees became highly vulnerable to attacks from insurgent forces. The initial request for 1,000 vehicles was increased to 2,500 as opposition forces in both countries changed their ambush tactics and IED techniques. Over the course of the campaigns approximately 4,500 up-armored Humvees operated in theater. Additionally, 8,000 up-armored kits were installed to add increased protection to other vehicles, trucks, and soft skinned HMMWV. To date, over 280,000 Humvees, all variants have been produced and remain in service with the U.S. military and Coalition Forces.
The displayed HMMWV is a M1151A1 variant. It has a heavier chassis and improved engine to handle add-on armor. It is built on an Expanded Capacity Vehicle chassis, which allows for more passengers or additional supplies, up to 2,300 lbs. The M1151A1 is delivered to units with the factory installed Integrated Armor Package, (IAP) “A-kit” by default. For increased protection, an additional kit, the “B-kit” can be added. This variant was previously referred to as the M1151P1.
