Until recently, military Humvees were used exclusively in Hollywood for movie roles. Now, surplus vehicles are available for sale at IronPlanet and elsewhere. However, if you’re interested in buying one, you should learn more about the process.

The military’s Humvee, the HMMWV (or “Hummer,” as it’s known colloquially), was designed as a jack-of-all-trades that could replace various light trucks. AM General expects it to remain in service through 2050. Contact a Custom Humvee to learn more.

A military Humvee is a world-leading, tried-and-true light utility vehicle (LMUV). It’s designed to haul limited cargo and at least four soldiers over a wide range of terrain. It can also be fitted with crew-served weapon systems, like machine guns and tube-launched optically tracked wire command-guided (TOW) antitank missile launchers. It’s easy to maintain and can be customized in 15 configurations to suit specific missions. It’s also inexpensive to buy and operate, reducing life-cycle costs by cutting training time and maintenance expenses.

The HMMWV, as it is commonly known, is the workhorse of any army. It can be modified into roles ranging from ambulance to fast anti-tank TOW vehicles, and even as the platform for next-generation microwave and laser DEW weapons systems. It is an excellent off-road vehicle, and its design allows it to be air dropped into hostile territory from a C-17 aircraft.

Its unique features set it apart from other trucks, including portal axles that raise the entire drivetrain up into the body of the vehicle. This makes it taller than most other trucks, but it retains 16 inches of ground clearance and has a large payload capacity. It can be equipped with armor, gun turrets and other weapons for defense in battle, as well as medical equipment and supplies for field treatment.

As a result of these features, the HMMWV is used in many parts of the world. It has been deployed in war zones in the US, Japan, Germany, South Korea and Afghanistan. Its versatility and ruggedness make it a vital part of the modern military. Its shortcomings have been offset by improvements in other areas, such as the MRAP, which is designed to withstand Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The HMMWV’s legacy of versatility and dependability means it has earned its reputation as an icon of American military history. It has been in use for over 40 years, and it is still a workhorse in the military today. In fact, the military is so attached to this vehicle that it has kept a fleet of them in reserve for when they are needed.

It’s versatile

The Military Humvee, or HMMWV, is a versatile vehicle that can be modified for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a cargo carrier, ambulance, weapons platform, or even a mobile artillery. It is also highly maneuverable and can travel off-road in a variety of conditions. It has a high ground clearance and is designed to be driven by anyone.

Although the Humvee was initially designed for open-terrain military transport, it has proven to be an effective support vehicle in a variety of missions. It can be easily modified to carry medical supplies or light equipment. It can even be equipped with a lightweight armored hull for more protection against hostile fire. In addition, it can be fitted with a 105-mm howitzer for field artillery use.

While the HMMWV’s versatility has been useful, it is not infallible. As a result, the Army is replacing it with a new model called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The JLTV offers improved protection against mines and IEDs while maintaining the same speed and manoeuvrability of the HMMWV.

Military Humvees have become a familiar sight in the world’s war zones, where they’ve been deployed to combat IED attacks and other dangers. They’re often referred to as “tanks on wheels,” and their ruggedness makes them ideal for navigating hostile terrain. However, the original design of these vehicles left them vulnerable to attack by insurgents. To compensate for this, engineers added heavy ad hoc armor. Unfortunately, this significantly reduced payload capacity and affected vehicle performance.

A more recent solution from the company Oshkosh has restored the Humvee’s performance without compromising its ability to handle challenging environments. The TAK-4 system includes a suspension that raises the vehicle’s chassis by six inches, allowing it to clear obstacles that would block the normal path of travel. This system also increases braking power and provides a smoother ride for soldiers.

While the Humvee remains a viable option for many military operations, it’s not a suitable vehicle for long-term wars. Its design, while durable, is not optimized for urban combat situations. Even up-armored versions are not able to withstand roadside bombs, which can cause massive damage and kill the troops inside. The JLTV, by contrast, is designed to redirect the force of an explosion away from the passengers, making it more likely to survive an IED attack.

It’s durable

While the Humvee may have a reputation for macho affectation, its original design was purely practical. It was conceived as a versatile modernization of Jeep trucks, and its nickname, “Humvee,” stems from the fact that it rides higher than other vehicles and has a lower undercarriage. This allows it to be slung underneath an aircraft and dropped into battle. HMMWVs can also be towed behind armored fighting vehicles.

The Humvee’s durability is another reason it still has a place in the military. The vehicle is capable of withstanding damage that would ruin other vehicles, making it a great choice for war zones. Its low center of gravity and high ground clearance make it very difficult to take out by roadside bombs or other obstacles. Its robust body can also withstand an explosion without major structural damage. In addition, the interior is spacious and comfortable.

While many soldiers have moved away from the Humvee in favor of more armored MRAPs, AM General believes that its design is better suited for future conflicts. Unlike more sophisticated combat vehicles, the Humvee has no electronic engine controls or braking systems that can be hacked with malware, scrambled with directed microwaves or fried by electromagnetic pulses from an atomic bomb or other sources. In a high-tech conflict, that could mean the difference between life and death for those inside the vehicle.

Moreover, the Humvee is more reliable than its more modern counterparts. It is also less expensive to maintain. Its 15 configurations share a common chassis and transmission, and 44 of its parts can be used in more than one model. This simplifies the supply, maintenance and logistical chain and saves taxpayer dollars.

As an added benefit, military Humvees have a good fuel economy, allowing them to travel long distances on a tank of gas. However, they are not known for their speed, and only top out at 55mph on the highway or 4 around town. While this isn’t ideal for road trips, it makes the vehicle a great choice for immersive environments and can even be modified by Armormax to be street legal.

It’s affordable

The military’s new lighter and more maneuverable JLTVs may be the wave of the future, but the venerable Humvee is still in service and will probably be for decades to come. It’s also a great vehicle for civilians to own and drive. A fully-upgraded military Humvee can cost well over $220,000, but there are plenty of cheaper versions to be had at surplus auctions and the like. In fact, the company that makes them, AM General, is even investing its own money in new Humvee variants, from a narrower version that can be slung underneath a CH-47 helicopter to one equipped with a 105mm howitzer.

Although the JLTVs are much more advanced and have a better chance of withstanding roadside bombs, the original Humvees were far less expensive to buy and maintain. In addition, they have no complex electronics that could be hacked with malware or scrambled with directed microwaves or fried by electromagnetic pulses from a nuclear explosion. So if you’re thinking of buying one, here are some tips to help you find the best deal on a military Humvee.

Currently, the Marine Corps and SOCOM are selling the vehicles through a program called the exchange sale process. This program allows agencies to sell equipment and use the proceeds towards the cost of replacing “similar items.” However, the DLA does not consider changing the designation of a given vehicle model from State’s list to Commerce’s, and thus, it doesn’t let contractors remove unrestricted parts like seats or batteries before they are crushed for scrap.

Since 2014, the DLA has scrapped more than 19,000 Humvees through this program alone. Although it does save the government money by avoiding the cost of replacing them, it is an unnecessary waste that could easily be avoided. And if the DLA could change its policy, it would also save taxpayers billions more dollars in maintenance and repair costs.

The best way to find a used Humvee is to visit a military surplus auction site like GovPlanet. These sites have many different models available for purchase, including both hardtop and soft top models. Most of these vehicles are from AM General or Oshkosh, and feature a v8 diesel engine on a troop carrier body. Civilians are allowed to own and operate these vehicles, but you must meet your state’s vehicle inspection requirements and obtain a State titling or registration.