Ground Mobility Vehicle
The Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) is a special operations version of the Humvee used by the United States Armed Forces.[1] Its design is mostly based on lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm.[2] The GMV will be replaced by the General Dynamics Flyer.
Design
Improvements over the Humvee include
- Heavier suspension
- More rugged tires
- Improved ground clearance
- More powerful engine
- Open bed for improved storage and access
- Winch for towing other vehicles (up to 4,200 pounds)
- GPS navigation
Features
The GMV has a cruising range of 275 miles for operations behind enemy lines with only occasional resupply. GMVs feature an open rear, where an enclosed cabin would normally be. This flat bed area is used to store all the fuel, ammunition, rations and other supplies that the mission requires.
Armament
- M2 .50 machine guns
- M240 machine guns
- Mk 19 or Mk 47 40mm grenade launchers
- M249 machine guns
- Smoke grenade launchers
Variants
Early models were based on the M1025 Humvee chassis. Later models of GMVs included versions based on the M1113 chassis. Another model based on the M1165 HMMWV can be fitted with armor kits to create an 'up-armored' GMV with additional armor plating and an optional ballistic shield around the top gunner's turret.
- GMV-S - US Army Special Forces
- GMV-R - 75th Ranger Regiment
- GMV-N - Navy SEALs
- GMV-T/GMV-SD/GMV-ST - AFSOC
- GMV-M - MARSOC
GMV 1.1
In June 2012, the United States Special Operations Command requested proposals for a GMV version 1.1. Unlike converted Humvees, the vehicle needed to be light, fast, easily transportable by air, sea, and land, with next generation communications and computing equipment. The vehicle was expected to be selected by the end of the year with production beginning in 2013. 1,300 of the new vehicles are to be in service by 2020.[3][4] Vehicles entered were the Northrop Grumman Medium Assault Vehicle – Light (MAV-L), AM General's reengineered GMV design, HDT Global's Storm SRTV, the Oshkosh Special Purpose All-Terrain Vehicle (S-ATV), the Navistar Special Operations Tactical Vehicle (SOTV), and General Dynamics Flyer.[5] The winner was expected to be selected in May 2013.[6] The decision for the winner was delayed until August 2013 to work through processes in dealing with vendors. The remaining contenders included the AM General upgraded GMV, the General Dynamics Flyer, and the Navistar SOTV.[7] On 22 August 2013, General Dynamics was selected as the winner of the contract, potentially valued at $562 million. The vehicle will replace 1,092 GMVs, with funds to buy the first 101 in FY 2014 at $245,000 per vehicle.[8][9][10]
In September 2013, AM General and Navistar filed protests over the decision to award the contract to General Dynamics.[11] On December 19, 2013, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) denied Navistar and AM General's protests. On January 7, 2014, AM General sued the U.S. Special Operations Command in the Court of Federal Claims. The complaint from the case was sealed, with AM General indicating the suit contained "secret, source selection sensitive, confidential or other proprietary information" covered by a protective order issued by the GAO, with a proposed redacted version of the complaint for public release yet to be approved by the court.[12] On 7 April 2014, the US Federal Claims Court rejected AM General's lawsuit, allowing General Dynamics to resume work and continue with the contract.[13]
References
- ↑ http://www.americanspecialops.com/vehicles/gmv/
- ↑ http://www.americanspecialops.com/vehicles/gmv/
- ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/06/18/us-special-forces-search-for-new-off-road-vehicle/
- ↑ http://snafu-solomon.blogspot.com/2012/06/ground-mobility-vehicle-contestants-so.html
- ↑ Truck Makers Gear Up for Special Operations Light Vehicle Competition - Nationaldefensemagazine.com, October 26, 2012
- ↑ SOCOM may pick truck winner in May - DoDBuzz.com, March 28, 2013
- ↑ Special Operations Truck Contract Delayed - Nationaldefensemagazine.com, May 17, 2013
- ↑ http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=5118
- ↑ http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/08/22/general-dynamics-wins-562-million-socom-truck-deal/
- ↑ Special Ops Command Announces $560M Award for Critical New Vehicle - Defensenews.com, 22 August 2013
- ↑ AM General and Navistar Protest SOCOM Vehicle Contract - Defensenews.com, 4 September 2013
- ↑ http://www.law360.com/articles/499326/humvee-maker-protests-562m-dod-vehicle-contract-award
- ↑ AM General Lawsuit Against SOCOM Rejected; GD Starts Work on Special Ops Vehicle - Defensenews.com, 9 April 2014
