During Warrior Expo, ADS Inc exhibited a new concept demonstrator that integrates C4ISR technologies directly into a lightly armored vehicle based on the legacy HMMWV. While the demonstrator is packed with a variety of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and and Reconnaissance capabilities, it would mean nothing if you couldn’t protect the men and women inside the vehicle. That’s where project partner Granite Tactical Vehicles steps in. They’ve developed a set of five upgrade packages for the HMMWV. The High Mobility, Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle has been with us for over 30 years. Over this time, they’ve applied a variety of fixes to the vehicle, but fundamentally there 25 deficiencies in the design.
Over time, the HMMWV evolved from this simple replacement for the Jeep to an armored battle taxi. Along the way, it became overweight and underpowered.
Engineers at Granite Tactical Vehicles have created five kits to enhance the vehicle’s capabilities:
1) GTV’s proprietary up-armored crew capsule offers 360 degree blast / ballistic protection with underbody armor and a V-Hull. That V-Hull is one of the most effective features to mitigate the effects of IEDs.
2) Upgraded brake calipers and larger rotors, upgraded shocks, spring mounts, lift kit (centered front differential allowing 4 identical half-shafts), frame enhancements and suspension to support up-armored capsule and return vehicle to expected mobility.
3) Upgraded turbo-charged 6.5 liter diesel engine.
4) Upgraded 4L85 transmission, which is critical to overcoming torque deficiency of standard Humvee.
5) Upgraded cooling / radiator system to ensure larger engine is efficiently and effectively cooled during operation.
In fact, application of these five kits, not only enhanced the capabilities of the HMMWV (of which we have thousands still in service) but also weighs in at 200 lbs below the current UpArmored variant. As funding for programs like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle are reprogrammed for other needs, upgrades such as this, to existing equipment are a great way to extend their lifecycle as well as enhance capabilities.
Justin Boyle of ADS goes over the five upgrade kits for the HMMWV in this short video from ADStv.
For more information visit www.ADSinc.com.
Tags: ADS Inc, FLIR, Granite Tactical Vehicles, Harris, SYNEXXUS, Warrior Expo East
as long as it has more legroom… there are not enough midgets in the Army to drive the up-armored ones
That’s the huge flaw in retrofitting an existing platform.
The HMMWV isn’t going anywhere for awhile. It needs enhancements and upgrades.
BUT-
All this will have to be installed and maintained by civilian techs creating a gap for our mechanics similar to what happened with all the different MRAP variants that are not taught at the current 91B AIT NOR ALC.
We also still have an abundance of 998s and 1097s that would also benefit from upgrades but we’ll never see that!