Military

Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT)

The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) has been the workhorse of the Army's heavy tactical wheeled vehicle fleet since the mid-1980s. Manufacturered by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation, the HEMTT is a series of 10-ton, eight-wheel-drive vehicles designed to provide transport capabilities for re-supply of combat vehicles and weapons systems. The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck provides transport capabilities for re-supply of combat vehicles and weapons systems. There are five basic configurations of the HEMTT series trucks: M977 cargo truck with Material Handling Crane (MHC), M978 2500 gallon fuel tanker, M984 wrecker, M983 tractor and M985 cargo truck with MHC. A self-recovery winch is also available on certain models. This vehicle family is rapidly deployable and is designed to operate in any climatic condition where military operations are expected to occur.

The current tactical wheeled vehicle fleet cannot sustain the Future Force due to an outdated architecture that imposes severe limitations such as: the requirement for external material handling equipment, an increasingly cumbersome logistics footprint, poor C130 deployability, poor fuel economy, an outdated design that does not optimize 2 level maintenance, an inability to maintain the OPTEMPO of the future force pacing systems, and mobility limitations that will not allow true seamless, just in time support.

The HEMTT family of vehicles is an aging, heavily used fleet that has made the Army readiness goal of 90 percent only sporadically since 1991. Prior to its deployment during Operation Desert Storm, the HEMTT had always exceeded its readiness goal, but after extensive usage in an extremely harsh environment, it has been unable to meet readiness standards. The vehicles are being used even harder during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and they are projected to become a more serious readiness issue.

In order to improve readiness by getting modern trucks produced more quickly and cheaply, the vice chief of staff, Army (VCSA) approved the HEMTT Recap program in October 2001, establishing a $1.1 billion program within heavy tactical vehicles. The priority units to receive new and recap vehicles were Stryker brigades, Patriot battalions, counterattack corps, and other high priority units including the Army National Guard and Reserve. In FY03, the HEMTT Recap program was allocated $116 million.

The HEMTT ESP program, which is now part of the FHTV contract, will rebuild and enhance old trucks to a "like new" configuration and convert surplus cargo trucks into HEMTT-LHS and fire truck variants. The ESP strategy is to insert modern commercial technologies that reduce operational and support costs and increase fleet readiness.

FY2004 funds complete the test program for a FY2003 funded effort directed toward advanced technology improvements for the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) Extended Service Program [ESP] and HEMTT new production. It will also provide for evolutionary transformation of the HEMTT fleet. Research efforts will be partnered with the National Automotive Center and other private industry partners to incorporate diagnostics, multiplexed smart wiring, Integrated Electronic Tech Manuals, and other advanced technology to reduce Operations and Support costs and improve the readiness of the HEMTT fleet.

The HEMTT vehicle program requires insertion of current, mature technology to increase the capability of the vehicle toward the future force requirements. This technology infusion will be accomplished through the HEMTT A3 program within the objective level capabilities of the current HEMTT ORD. This R&D effort will focus on the integration of technologies which will reduce vehicle fuel consumption; reduce vehicle weight; increase mobility; enable C130 transport with load; increase mobility rated speed; enable roll- on roll- off C130 transportability without prep; enable direct C130 unloading capabilities; embed diagnostics and prognostics using condition based maintenance; reduce logistics footprint and enable the optimization of 2-level maintenance concepts.

Revised propulsion system, independent suspension, multiplexed electric system, and an enhanced Load Handling System are under consideration as key enablers to achieve the stated objectives. The crew cab environment will be optimized to integrate the Command, Control, Communication & Computers & Information, embedded Interactive Electronic Tech Manuals, climate control and personal crew storage space. Research efforts will be partnered with various Government Agencies, Industry Partners, and Academia to leverage existing ongoing technology development and integration efforts, and grow capabilities required to approach the future force capabilities. Prior to FY2004 funding supports development of a Block Modification on the Movement Tracking System (MTS). This Block Modification will increase the performance and functionality of the MTS through multiple interface developments. This project supports the Current- to- Future transition path of the Transformation Campaign Plan (TCP).

The Oshkosh HEMTT fleet of over 12,000 10-ton trucks is in good shape.

The HEMTT II, intended to replace the current HEMTT, will have better mobility, make use of new smart vehicle technology, and have a fuel-efficient engine and a PLS-style load-handling system to maximise logistical throughput.