Military

M1116 HMMWV Up-Armored Armament Carrier

The M1116 Up-Armored HMMWV was used by the US Air Force for Security Forces and Civil Engineering missions plus EOD and Base Recovery After Attack missions. The vehicles were also used by US Navy elements conducting similar missions.

The M1116 featured gunner protection kit, traversing turret mechanism, expanded rear compartment and added underbody M67 grenade fragmentation protection. Like the M1114, the vehicle could also be refitted with the various Fragmentary Armor Kits (Frag Kits) developed. These kits provided enhanced protection for the vehicle underbody, sides and fuel tank, doors, and top. Upgraded gunners stations, such as the Objective Gunner Protection Kit, could be fitted.

In April 2006, the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron operating in Iraq began fitting the XM101 Common Remote Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) to its M1116 vehicles, providing the ability to remotely aim and fire a variety of weapons. The mount was capable of continuous 360-degree azimuth rotation and a minus 20- to 60-degree elevation movement.

In July 2008, the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance section tested 2 new modifications for the M1116's condenser, hoping the improvement would eventually become standard in all M1116 Humvees throughout the US Central Command area of responsibility. Problems experienced with the air-conditioning units of the M1116 range from replacement of compressors and evaporators to recharging Freon into the air-conditioning systems. The condensers, however, represented a significant portion of the 386th's shop's repeat maintenance.

To prevent having to order new condensers because of irreparable damage, the modifications involved placing a rubber inner tube between the assembly and sheet metal, in order to help the assembly absorb some of the vibration. Additionally, a special L-shaped bracket that held the condenser and fan assembly tighter to the frame was constructed.

The modifications consisted of 2 brace configurations: one which bolted down on top of the assembly and another which bolted on the side. For the test phase, the vehicle maintenance section also configured one of the copper tubes most likely to break with a piece of flexible tubing, in order to make it less prone to snapping if the assembly shifts.