Military

Further Reading

M1152 HMMWV Expanded Capacity Cargo/Troop Carrier
M1152P1 HMMWV Expanded Capacity Cargo/Troop Carrier w/ Add-On Armor
M1152A1 HMMWV Expanded Capacity Cargo Troop/Carrier IAP/Armor Ready

The M1152 HMMWV was an improved cargo/troop carrier configuration of the HMMWV family, used primarily to transport personnel, but could also be used as a shelter carrier. The M1152 HMMWV had the heavier chassis and improved engine of the M1113 Expanded Capacity Vehicle, which enabled it to use of removable add-on armor protection that provided the Army greater flexibility when deploying units. The M1151 was standard without any armor, as with earlier generation cargo/troop HMMWVs, but was designed to accept the various armor packages developed to bring it to a similar level of protection to that of an Up-Armored HMMWV.

The M1152 HMMWV was a lightweight, high performance, four-wheel drive, air transportable and air droppable, tactical wheeled vehicle. The vehicle had a diesel engine, automatic transmission and basic payload capacity of a 4,000 pounds. Fully-loaded M1152 utility trucks could climb road grades as steep as 40 percent (22 degrees) and traverse a side slope of up to 30 percent (13.5 degrees). The vehicle could ford hard bottom water crossings up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) without a deep water fording kit and 60 inches (152 centimeters) with the kit.

The M1152 provided the capability to secure and transport the S-250 electrical equipment shelter. For higher payload capacity, the M1152 was equipped with a reinforced frame, crossmembers, lifting shackles, heavy-duty variable rate rear springs, shock absorbers, reinforced control arms, heavy-duty tires and rims, and a transfer case and differential with a modified gear ratio. The optional front self-recovery winch permited recovery operations of similar vehicles.

The Army relied on the US Marine Corps HMMWV requirements to maintain an affordable production rate. The Army's initial XM1152's were required to support the Army's Modularity and Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) units. Also, HMMWV's weare required for Data Interchange Programs development and fielding of critical Combat Support and Combat Service Support Systems such as Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) and Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV). Some of these HMMWV's were to be provided to integrating Project Managers to support meeting critical milestones in standing up the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.

While the M1152 was designed to be able to integrate the Perimeter Armor of the M1114 and the various Fragmentary Armor Kits (Frag Kits) developed for the HMMWV family, it was not supplied with any armor as standard. A variant with the Integrated Armor Protection (IAP) package installed at the factory, including underbody armor, rocker armor, lower windscreen deflector armor and energy absorbing seats was developed, initially designated the M1152P1. The P1 designator referred to the add-on armor kit to include doors, windscreen, roof, rear partition and IED overlays, etc.

During 2007, a variant designated as "IAP/Armor Ready" was standardized as the M1152A1. This nomenclature change reflected the US Army's Long Term Armor Strategy of developing vehicles with adaptable armor packages. These vehicles could be fitted with a default A-Kit armor package, with the option of addition B-Kit packages offering added protection. The B-Kit for 2-door cargo/troop carrier HMMWVs, known as the B2 kit, included perimeter armor, overhead armor, and rear ballistic bulkhead, bringing the vehicle up to a similar level of protection as the M1114. The B2 kit required an aluminum roof/rear panel. Frag Kits could also be installed.

M1152P1/M1151A1 Armored Ambulance

As early as 2005, the Army idenfitied an emerging requirement for HMMWV ambulances to replace existing M997A2 Maxi-Ambulances and M1035A2 soft-top ambulances. DuringThe FY07 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation request and the FY08 Budget Request adequately funded the replacement and reset medical equipment in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as equipment organic to units deploying to and redeploying from the Middle East. In 2007 it as noted that an armored ambulance was required because existing wheeled ground ambulances were not armored. As a result they were not employed outside the Forward Operating Bases in Iraq and Afghanistan on a regular basis. This reduced a maneuver commander's ability to employ ground ambulances in support of combat operations. When the ground ambulances did operate outside the FOB perimeter, it had led to the death of some medical personnel.

The proposed vehicle was to be based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle family, then in development, so an interim vehicle was to be developed. Product Manager for Light Tactical Vehicles indicated that armoring a four-litter M997 ambulance, to include the patient care area, would cause a significant overload condition resulting in an unsafe, top-heavy vehicle.

In the final Request for Proposals, it identified a specific requirement of 1,317 M1152P1 (later M1151A1) Ambulances. Initial deliveries were to start in August 2007. Three prototype vehicles would be delivered for test no later than 30 April 2007. Delivery of 1,317 Ambulances was to be completed prior to 30 September 2010. The successful offeror would work with the HMMWV manufacturer to produce an integrated tactical HMMWV ambulance.

The M1152P1 Ambulances were required to supplement the existing ambulance fleet and the objective was to deliver proven design Ambulances to Army units as efficiently as practical. The M1152P1 Ambulance would operate at isolated military installations and sites worldwide to respond to medical emergencies in the extreme environmental conditions. The Ambulance would consist of a standard AM General M1152P1 chassis equipped with the manufacturer's standard 2-door cab integrated with an armored ambulance shelter.

The Product Manager, Light Tactical Vehicles reviewed the feasibility of a new HMMWV Ambulance to fill urgent requirements. TARDEC conducted a Market Survey in early 2006 to identify sources and the availability of applicable lightweight armor materials for the ambulance patient enclosure to integrate onto the M1152P1 HMMWV. The M1152P1 was an interim armor-ready HMMWV that included air conditioning and an integrated armor package.

The armored ambulance shelter would consist of a lightweight armor enclosure that provided the occupants a specific level of ballistic protection, all required medical equipment and air conditioning. The M1152P1 vehicle configuration would be retained to the maximum extent practical to ensure safe operation and reliability, mobility and performance characteristics equal to the fielded M1152P1 vehicles at GVWR. The M1152P1 cab would also be retained and the interior modifications would be held to a minimum. The M1152P1 Ambulance was not to exceed the GVWR of the M1152P1 chassis when loaded with the Ambulance Module, medical equipment, crewmembers and patients.

Integration of the ambulance shelter would not preclude installation or operation of any OEM components installed during vehicle production or refurbishment. The integration of the ambulance shelter and the M1152P1 would include all parts necessary to perform chassis modifications to the vehicle required as a result of having to support the additional weight of the Ambulance Module. All components and BII provided with the M1152P1 were to be retained on the vehicle configuration.

Ballistic protection levels for the armored ambulance shelter at the time of the RFP were being assessed by the Army. Contractors responding to the Market Survey were required to demonstrate applicable experience designing, developing or producing armored enclosures for special purpose vehicles. Specific examples of representative lightweight armor products were encouraged. Responses were to reflect the protection levels offered by the products cited by the contractor.

Air conditioning and a heater were to be added to the armored ambulance module as part of climate control system. The climate control system was required to provide heat, cooling (air conditioning) and fresh air to the compartment from the lowest design ambient temperature of -40 degrees F up to the highest design ambient temperature of 120 degrees F. The climate control system was also required to induce at least 60 cubic feet per minute of filtered, fresh air into the compartment under normal operating conditions. Air conditioning performance, while using non-ozone-depleting chemicals, would be met while operating at engine idle or high idle speed (standby condition) and was requird to not degrade the existing performance of the M1152P1 chassis cooling system. The heating and air conditioning systems of the M1152P1 and the armored ambulance module could be combined into a single system. Separate adjustment controls for climate control were to be provided for each separate (truck cab and ambulance) compartment.

The Ambulance was required to be transportable without special permits worldwide by public highway, rail, marine and air modes. All essential operating equipment removed in preparation for transport would be secured on the vehicle from which removed. The vehicle would be C-130 aircraft transportable without restriction. The air transportable configuration would include all mounted equipment. Components removed from the vehicle for air transport would have secured mounting positions within the vehicle.

The contractor was required to provide a listing of all materials used for ballistic protection in armored ambulance module within 7 days after contract award. The listing would identify protection area, material description, material thickness and strike face. The Government would review the material listing and determine which of the materials required ballistic evaluation. The contractor would provide test coupons for each of the material choices requested by the Government for ballistic evaluation. Each coupon would be marked to identify solution, aerial density and strike face. The requested coupons would be sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland to an address that would be provided along with the request for coupons. The coupons would be delivered within 7 days of the Government request.

The Government would perform ballistic testing of the installed armored ambulance module to validate integration and determine resulting ballistic protection levels. The contractor was required to evaluate and assist in resolution of related incidents that occur during the test process. At the request of the Government, the contractor would provide on site technical assistance at the Aberdeen, Maryland test site for up to 4 weeks to support this testing.

The Government would perform trial installation and automotive testing of the Ambulance to ensure safe automotive operation of the vehicle. The automotive test would consist of performance tests (e.g. braking, steering, and handling) and durability. The contractor was required to evaluate and assist in resolution related incidents that occur during the test process. The contractor would also repair or replace parts that fail during testing at no cost to the Government. At the request of the Government, the contractor would provide on site technical assistance at the Aberdeen, Maryland test site for up to 32 weeks to support this testing.

Following the market study, Product Manager for Light Tactical Vehicles indicated that to armor the existing ambulance shelter mounted on the M1152A1 led to a significantly overloaded vehicle. PM LTV awarded a work directive to AM General Corporation to complete a feasibility study for a 2-litter armored ambulance based upon the M1151/52/65 vehicle chassis.