News

U.S. ARMY PROCURES HMMWV DOORS AND SOFT TOP KITS                  

13 April, 2005

NEWTOWN, Connecticut --- On April 13, 2005, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command awarded two contracts related to the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) program. TACOM awarded AM General LLC (Mishawaka,  Ind.) - the prime contractor for the HMMWV - a delivery order amount of $3,373,809 as part of a $79.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for HMMWV doors. AM General is to complete deliveries under this contract by April 15, 2010. TACOM also awarded GMA Cover Corporation (Port Huron, Mich.) a delivery order amount of $191,338 as part of a $6.99 million firm-fixed-price contract for HMMWV Soft Top Part Kits. GMA is to complete deliveries by March 15, 2010. The HMMWV continues in serial production, primarily to meet the increased U.S. Department of Defense demand resulting from the increased operational tempo of Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-present) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-present). The HMMWV (colloquially known as the Hummvee or the Hummer) has become the signature light utility vehicle of the U.S. Army. Its versatility, durability, and combat-proven record have earned the HMMWV a prominent role in virtually all current U.S. military operations. U.S. Department of Defense procurement of the HMMWV remains strong; the existing multiyear contract and a series of additional procurements will keep the production line active at a rate of over 3,000 vehicles per year throughout the next 10 years. With the demands of the global war on terrorism, HMMWV procurement has effectively become an open-ended proposition for the U.S. Department of Defense.   

In early 1999, the three-phase recapitalization program envisioned a service life for most HMMWV extending through 2020. However, the increased operational tempo and losses associated with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have prompted the U.S. Army to increase its active HMMWV inventory objective from 102,822 vehicles to 121,692 vehicles. In early 2004, the Office of the Secretary of Defense approved an $800 million appropriation from Operation Iraqi Freedom funds for increased production of M1114 up-armored vehicles, as well as for procurement of add-on armor kits for over 6,000 vehicles. The most significant factor in both new production and retrofit is now the integration of enhanced armor. Security operations in Iraq have clearly demonstrated the urgent need for increased armor protection on the HMMWV. 

Despite the emphasis on up-armored HMMWVs, the M1113 is an unarmored variant of the expanded capacity HMMWV line, replacing the basic M1097-series HMMWV in service. While the Forecast International weapons Group expects the up-armored M1114 and M1116 to become the new production-standard HMMWV configurations, the U.S. Army will continue to procure unarmored HMMWV that are capable of integrating add-on armor as necessary. Beyond the integration of additional armor and automotive upgrades, AM General continues to develop an increasingly wide range of HMMWV variants.   

Source:  Forecast International/Military Vehicles Forecast                
Associated URL: www.forecast1.com                                         
Source Date: April 14, 2005