The Vietnam War exposed many of the shortcomings of the off-road vehicle that was in service with the American army at the time. Low cross-country ability and carrying capacity, weak protection against bullets and fragments of mines and shells - this is not a complete list of what was revealed in AM General M151, the heir to the legendary "Willis".
In 1970, the Pentagon announced a competition to create a light vehicle designed to perform various operational and tactical tasks. The main task that was set for the participants in the competition was the need to correct all the shortcomings found in the version of the light military off-road vehicle that was in service. The competition was attended by the American Motors General Corporation, which presented the vehicle HMMWV - "Highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicle". Since this name turned out to be too difficult to pronounce and memorize, later it was changed to "Humvee".
Fifteen modifications of the "Hammer" are currently being produced. Built on the same chassis, they also use the same engine and transmission. A feature of the cars was the use of modular elements, 44 types of which are interchangeable and allow you to assemble jeeps with a wide variety of applications. The ease of their installation makes it possible to assemble another from one modification already in the field. The weapons installed on the Hummers are also varied. The machine can carry both a heavy machine gun and a rocket launcher. Off-road vehicles with the installed Tou missile system have become widespread. After the adoption of the "Hummer" into service, the fleet of the American army was able to get rid of a huge number of different types of light cars and trucks.
At the moment, the following modifications of the legendary SUV are in service with the American army:
Transportation of personnel and cargo - М1038 and М998;
Transportation of weapons (machine guns, light cannons and missile systems are installed) - М966, М1045, М1036, М1046, М1026, М1025, М1043, М1044;
Sanitary vehicles - M996, M1035, M997;
Headquarters and communications vehicles - М1042, М1037;
The M119 tractor, 105 mm howitzers - M1069, was replaced in 1994 by the M1097 with a payload increased to two tons.
Having appeared in many reports that covered Operation Desert Storm, after its completion, the jeep gained surprising popularity among the population. AM General's marketers couldn't pass up this opportunity. In 1992, a civilian version of the jeep saw the light, the advertising slogan of which became - "high versatility, maximum mobility, trouble-free operation" ("Hummer").
The civilian version only got the chassis and silhouette. The cabin now has soft armchairs, air conditioning and a host of other amenities that are not available in the military version. The engine was also replaced, now instead of a diesel "Hummer" was equipped with a gasoline engine.
Now even the military modification in the reports was called the "Hummer", despite the fact that it retained the previous designation - "Humvee".
Introduced into service in thirty countries around the world, "Hummer" impresses with its technical characteristics. Even with shot through the wheels, thanks to the pressure control system, it can move at speeds up to 50 km / h. The famous low and wide silhouette gives it high stability. Parapets up to 60 cm in height, rises of 60 degrees, 40 degrees of lateral inclination - all this is tolerated by him without much difficulty. And with the use of a special kit for placing an air intake and an exhaust system on the roof, it can wade water obstacles up to one and a half meters deep. And the external suspension allows you to easily transfer it over long distances using the CH-35 and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
Manufactured by Hammer in the USA and Portugal and Switzerland under license.
