The military Hummer was configured at first for the use of six different vehicle types: the Cargo-Troop Carrier; the Armament Carrier; the TOW Missile Carrier; the Ambulance Carrier; the Shelter Carrier, and the Prime Mover.

Based upon these six types, more than twenty subtypes were developed, many which differed from one another only in minor details. For example, there were seven different subtypes of the Cargo/Troop Carrier and eight different subtypes of the Armament Carrier available at one time. In response to US military needs, AM General has updated and added new models to its production line while discontinuing others.

Here are some of the best Military Hummer types.

Up-Armored Hummers  

This Hummer belongs to the 1St Cavalry Division, this Hummer has been configured as a troop carrier. In this configuration the vehicle can carry a two-person crew and eight passengers on bench seats in the rear of the vehicle. Taking part in a large training exercise, the crew of this Hummer removed the vehicle's front windshield in order to cut down on reflection, which might give away their position at sunrise or sunset.

The Hummer Armament Carrier in US Army service has only the barest minimum armor protection. The aluminum and fiberglass doors on the vehicle offer protection against bullet fragments only. The distinctive X-shaped stamping on the doors increases rigidity. This picture of US Army Armament Carrier Hummer was taken in the middle of operation "Just Cause", on the December 1989 invasion of Panama by US military forces.

Like all other variants of the Hummer in US military service, the Armament Carrier has been improved over the years. The original Ml 025 (and the winch- equipped M1026) was updated to the Al standard. With the introduction of the A2 standard, only the Ml 025A2 survived into production. The Ml O25A2 was also modified to mount a TOW Missile Launcher system. The picture is of a M966 US Army Armament Carrier mounting a TOW running at high speed.

Heavy Hummer Variant

The Us military uses mostly the heavy Hummer variant M998 Cargo/Troop Carrier (pictured here). In fact, the M998 designation represents the entire Hummer family of US military vehicles. Most other versions of the US military Hummers are based on this one vehicle type. Over the years, improvements to this basic M998 vehicle have resulted in a M998A1 and M998A2 series of Hummer vehicles now produced by AM General and fielded by US military forces around the world.

The Al Series Hummer

In early 1994, AM General began production of the M998A1 series of Hummers. All Al models of the US military Hummer fleet, incorporated the M1097 Heavy Hummer Variant (HHV) chassis components, plus new front seats, an improved parking brake lever with safety release, a metal hood grille, an improved slave receptacle, a solid state glow plug controller, modified rifle mounts, and upgraded rear half shafts. The use of these common chassis components enhanced standardization across all models, thus leading to improvements in logistical support, ease of training, and increased fleet durability.

Depending on its mission and weather conditions the US military Hummer can be open or closed-topped and fitted with a removable roll bar. Photographed at the National Training Center (NTC), located in the desert region of Southern California, this Hummer crew from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is taking a break during a training exercise. Due to the extreme desert heat, this four-door Hummer has been stripped of all its doors and of its rooftop, but not of the roll bar.

The A2 Series Hummer

Even as AM General begun building the new M998A1 series in 1994, they decided to go one step further and came up with the Hummer that was even better: the M998A2. This series started coming off production line in 1995. Using the M1097A1 HHV as a baseline, the new series incorporated a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated diesel engine generating 160hp, electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, and a redesigned emission system which met all of the 1995 US Grovernment standards.

Other enhancements to the M998A2 series included increased cargo bed tie down capacity, an improved heater system, new rear seats similar to the Al series front seats, self-canceling turn

For cold and wet weather conditions, the US military Hummer comes with a wide variety of softtop plastic and fabric enclosures. This US Army Hummer is fitted with a four-seater plastic top which extends all the way over the rear cargo bay. Depending on the crew's needs the rear cargo space can be covered or uncovered.
 

Expanded Capacity Vehicle

To fulfill the US Army's requirement for a Hummer with armor protection levels equal to the Up-Armored XM 1109 Hummer and with no loss in cargo-carrying ability, AM General and O'Gara, Hess and Eisenhardt begun delivery of a new Up- Armored Hummer based on AM General's Expanded Capacity Vehicle (ECV) in 1995.

The ECV was developed by AM General under US Government contract to further enhance the Hummer family of vehicles. The ECV has a payload capability of 5,300lb compared to the 4,400lb payload of a normal M1097A2 Cargo/ Troop/Shelter Carrier Hummer. The curb weight increased from 5,9001b to 6,2001b.     

Due to increasing weight-carrying demands made by the US military, AM General developed a new version of the Hummer in 1991 known as the Ml 097 Heavy Hummer Variant (HHVJ. This improved Hummer, featured an upgraded suspension and drivetrain but still used the original 15Ohp GM V8 6.2 Liter diesel fuel injected engine. This vehicle had a greater payload which allowed it to carry a greater number of unication shelters or weapon systems. Pictured is a HHV mounting a US Army communication shelter.                     

To retain the Hummer's outstanding mobility despite its rise in weight, it was fitted with a 6.5L turbo diesel engine generating 1 9Ohp.

The ECV also utilized a great many of the improved components developed for AM General's Cap-Over Hummer Variant (COHHV) cargo truck. These components include modified differentials, improved halfshafts, new exhaust system, improved brakes, improved cooling system, improved suspension, modified steering system, upgraded wheels and a reinforced frame.

Beginning in 1995, the US Military's Up- Armored ECVs came eguipped with AM General's Central Tire Inflation System and an Air Conditioning unit. Both these features had been available on civilian Hummers since 1992.    

In early 1994, AM General begun to base the entire Hummer family on the HHV chassis. While still equipped with the original Hummer diesel engine, this vehicle incorporated a number of component improvements. To reflect the many changes made to the US military Hummer fleet, this new model was designated as the M998A1. Pictured at the National Training Center is a Shelter Carrier version, Ml 037.                              

Cargo-Troop Carrier

One of the most common Hummer variants in US mIlitary service is the M998 Cargo/Troop Carrier. Fitted with a winch, the basic M998 vehicle is known as the M1038.

Beginning in 1994, the M998 variants were upgraded to an Al standard, which incorporated a number of component enhancements.

In 1995, AM General began production of yet another upgraded Hummer standard which became known as the A2, and this resulted in some designation changes to the US military's fleet of Hummers. The upgraded A2 Hummers were designed to supplement (not replace) the existing fleet of M998 Cargo/Troop Carriers and M1037 Shelter Carriers.

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