Though the HMMWV, better known as the Hummer, is regarded as one of the best off-roaders in the world, the design is over 25 years old and has recently been criticized for a lack of armor, prompting the U.S. Military to begin looking for replacements. Light Racing, a division of Specialty Products Company, thinks they have the answer.
Like the original HMMWV, the TAC-V Joint All-Terrain Modular Mobility Assist (JAMMA) family of vehicles, and more specifically the V-22 ITV variant you see here, was designed with military use as its primary objective. This particular variant gets its name from the fact that it is currently the only military-grade off-road vehicle able to fit in the cargo hold of the new V-22 Osprey transport aircraft thanks to its 60-in width and 4,000-lb curb weight. A wider variant known as the JAMMA RECONDO measures 80-in wide and features a more hard-core off-road suspension and is designed to fit securely in the hold of the H53 or H47 aircraft. Currently, the Utility, Gun Truck and Rescue variants are certified for V-22 use while most any variant should fit the larger transports.
The V-22 ITV is powered by a 3.2L turbocharged diesel engine that produces 180 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, giving the truck a payload capacity of 3,500 lbs. A hybrid electric drivetrain is also available and adds a 100-hp electric motor that assists the motor, cuts fuel consumption and can act as a generator to provide 22 kW of power at either 120VAC or 208VAC. A 25-gallon fuel tank gives the standard V-22 ITV a range of 450 miles while the powertrain offers a maximum speed of 90 mph through its four-speed automatic transmission and two-speed 4WD transfer case.
A fully-independent suspension topped-off with run-flat, bead-locked tires allows the V-22 ITV to tackle 31-degree inclines head-on and traverse side slopes of 22-degrees or more. Its 12-inches of ground clearance and step approach and departure angles allow it to take on 15-in vertical steps and its tall ride allows it to ford 30 inches of water without any special preparation. An electric winch with a 9,500-lb line, built-in air compressor and central tire inflation system ensure the V-22 ITV can get out of just about any situation.
Above the standard frame, the military can mount a variety of bodies to the vehicle as mission parameters dictate. The bodies also incorporate a scalable, built-in armor attachment system that allows armor plating to be quickly added or swapped out depending on the mission and the expected fire the vehicle will come under. Stadium seating, meanwhile, keeps the driver fully protected and out of the field of fire for other vehicle occupants during firefights.
It's certainly no better looking than the Hummer, but if Light Racing's expertise in off-road suspension design and racing pays off, they may well have a compelling proposal for the military as it searches for a new all-purpose vehicle. Keep an eye out, you may see one on a base near you in the future.