Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck

Manufacturer: Oshkosh Corporation

The Heavy Expanded Mobility Transport Truck is an 8 x 8 diesel off-road tactical truck used by the US Army. Nicknamed “Dragon Wagon,” the HEMTT first went into service with the Army in 1985, replacing the M520 Goer trucks. More than 13,000 HEMTTs are in service today.

The key mission of the HEMTT is to offer heavy transport capabilities for resupply of combat vehicles and weapon systems. The huge payload capacity and off-road capabilities make it a key logistics player.

Introduced in 1985, the HEMTTs are the backbone of the US Army's logistics fleet. After 1991 the performance of the vehicles started to deteriorate. In 2001 the HEMTT Recapitalisation Program was established by Oshkosh and the US Army. Under the scheme new and recapitalised vehicles were provided to many high-priority units. By 2003 about 621 trucks were contracted for recapitalisation.

In December 2002 the R3 (recap, repair and return) programme was developed by the US Army and Oshkosh to increase the turnaround of HEMTTs.

The programme reduced the turnaround to 100 days including shipping time and became a great success. After the R3 programme the vehicles received the designation R1 on their model numbers.

In 2005 Oshkosh Corporation started developing next-generation HEMTT A3 vehicles after receiving a grant from the US Department of Defense. The vehicles cleared performance and durability tests over the following 18 months.

In February 2008 the first modification contract of the HEMTT A2s was placed by the US Army. The second modification contract designated the names of the HEMTT A2 vehicles as HEMTT A4s.

Oshkosh has a total of 11 HEMTT variants in six configurations. It has five cargo trucks, a fuel servicing truck variant, two tractor variants, a load handling system variant, a common bridge transporter variant and a recovery vehicle with cranes and winches.

The common features of the variants include front and rear tow eyes, blackout lights, 24-volt electrical systems and rear pintle hooks for towing trailers and artillery.

M977 A2 and M985 A2 cargo transporters

The cargo variants, the M977 A2 and M985 A2 models, are used to carry equipment, mainly ammunition. The rear portions of the vehicles are mounted with cranes that are 33.4ft long, 8ft wide and 9.3ft high.

The M977 A2 large repairs parts transporter (LRPT) variant is used to transport large repair parts. It is fitted with a crane towards the back of the chassis that has a grove of 2,500lbs.

M978 bulk liquid transporter

The M978 variant is a bulk liquid transporter fitted with a 2,500gal tank and a fuel resupply module. It is used to refuel tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles and helicopters.

M983 A2 light equipment transporter (LET)

The M983 A2 light equipment transporter (LET) variant is used to transport light equipments and ammunition. The M983 A2 Patriot Tractor variant is used to transport trailer-mounted Pershing II and Patriot missile systems. It has the same features as the M983 A2 LET variant.

The M984 A2 Recovery Truck (Wrecker) variant is a 10t tactical truck wrecker with a heavy-duty crane and recovery winch. It can recover disabled vehicles in the field in two to three minutes. It is 32.6ft long and has a wheelbase of 16ft.

The M985 A2 guided missile transporter (GMT) variant is used to carry guided missiles. It is 35.5ft long and has a mounted crane with a lifting capacity of 5,400lbs at 16.5ft.

M1120 A2 load handling system (LHS)

The M1120 A2 load handling system (LHS) variant is equipped with an Oshkosh Multilift load handling system, which can lift and transport a payload of up to 11t. It is 32.7 ft long.

The M1977 A2 common bridge transporter (CBT) is a modified version of the M1120 A2 LHS. It is fitted with flatracks for carrying bridge components such as the M15 Bridge Adaptor Pallet and the M14 Improved Boat Cradle.

HEMTTs can traverse hard terrain while transporting combat vehicles and weapons to the field. HEMTT variants are fitted with power-assisted front tandem steering systems that create wheelbases of 5.3m. With a maximum payload of 13t, they can climb a 60% gradient and ford water at a depth of 1.2m. They deliver a cruising range of 644km and can be easily transported in a C130 or C141.