Heavy lifting is no problem for the U.S. Army's heavy metal fleet. Army land vehicles can haul everything from payload trailers to M1 Abrams tanks. The speed-metal Stryker combines the mobility of a wheeled vehicle with the firepower of a tank. And the Humvee has become the symbol of the Army's ability to go anywhere the mission requires.
FMTVs are medium-sized tactical vehicles that transport and supply Army units and deliver equipment. Based on a common chassis, they require less maintenance than the vehicles they've replaced. FMTV configurations vary by payload and mission requirements.
HEMTTs are used to re-supply combat vehicles and weapons systems. These vehicles deploy quickly and can operate wherever the Army needs them, no matter what the climate conditions may be.
The civilian Humvee's mystique is built on the maneuverability and versatility of the Army version. The HMMWV's high power-to-weight ratio, high ground clearance and four-wheel drive make it agile in the most difficult terrain. It can be configured as a troop carrier, armament carrier, shelter carrier, ambulance, TOW missile carrier or Scout vehicle.
It takes a really powerful vehicle to haul M1 Abrams Tanks around. With a 70-ton payload and a load-leveling hydraulic suspension, the HET transports, deploys, recovers and evacuates combat-loaded battle tanks, as well as other heavy tracked and wheeled vehicles.
What does it take to pick up an 8 x 8 x 20 ft. payload trailer filled with battle gear and get it to our troops ASAP? A PLS vehicle. These self-contained systems load and unload combat-configured pallets from their flatrack cargo beds without the need for forklifts or additional equipment. The driver doesn't even need to leave the cab. When every second counts, a PLS can be loaded and unloaded in less than five minutes.
