[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military Vehicles Roaming the Battlefield

Icon of US Infantry 'Humvee'
Even Arnold Schwarzenegger Desired It
Helpless Against Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Attacks

The U.S. military's High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is an iconic symbol representing U.S. infantry. Starting with the 1989 Panama invasion, it was deployed in major operations such as the Gulf War, Somalia deployment, Haiti invasion, and the Bosnian civil war, becoming a representative military vehicle. It is commonly called the Humvee. Currently, about 160,000 Humvees are in use by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, and around 20,000 are operated in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Taiwan.

In 1985, the U.S. military requested automotive companies to develop a tactical vehicle to unify the various military vehicles used across different branches. The first company to jump into development was the renowned sports car brand Lamborghini. This company introduced its first model, the 'Cheetah,' but the U.S. military rejected it due to unsatisfactory performance.

The performance requirements for the tactical vehicle included off-road capability to traverse any terrain worldwide, fording ability to cross rivers, a durable body to withstand harsh conditions, and easy maintenance. Lamborghini reflected the military's feedback and modified the Cheetah to launch the civilian vehicle model 'LM002.' This model became a legendary SUV (sports utility vehicle), with only about 300 units remaining today.

The 'Steroid-Injected Jeep' AM General Humvee Desired Even by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Subsequently, American automakers such as Chrysler and Ford participated in the new tactical vehicle project, and AM General was selected as the final contractor. The Humvee produced by AM General was a 'high-mobility' vehicle that surpassed conventional military vehicle standards. It could climb slopes with a 60-degree incline, overcome vertical obstacles 46 cm high, and cross trenches 76 cm deep, boasting all-terrain driving capability. At the time, the military described it as a jeep on steroids (muscle-enhancing injections).

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the company's permission, modified a Humvee into a civilian version and was the first to own one. Riding the wave of explosive popularity, AM General also introduced civilian Hummer models H1, H2, and H3. Production of these models ended in 2010.

A total of 15 types of military Humvees were delivered. The most basic model is the 'M998,' a cargo and transport type. It has no special armament and features a removable top cover for transporting troops and supplies as needed. Foldable seats installed in the cargo area can seat 4 to 5 troops on each side. Of course, folding the seats allows for more cargo transport. This model has been redesignated as the 'M1097 A2.' The 'XM1109' armored enhanced model strengthened armor performance against anti-personnel and anti-tank mines compared to the original Humvee, enhancing durability. The vehicle's front can withstand 7.62mm bullets and 12-pound anti-tank mines. Due to this, its payload capacity is reduced by 590 kg compared to the basic model.

Helpless Against Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Attacks

The Humvee also had drawbacks. Despite performance improvements, it was helpless against improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. Recently, the U.S. military faced concentrated IED attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, with casualties from IEDs accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities. To counter this, the U.S. military introduced Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. One of the largest investments by the U.S. military in the Afghanistan war was securing armored vehicles against IEDs and mines.

MRAPs are special vehicles with V-shaped armor plating on the underside to protect against mines and IEDs. The V-shaped bottom disperses the blast impact to both sides when a mine explodes directly beneath the vehicle. MRAPs are known to have significantly reduced U.S. military casualties caused by mines and IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAPs used by the U.S. military can carry one driver, a commander, a K-6 machine gunner, and four sentries. Notably, they feature an automatic tire pressure control system that allows them to run at speeds up to 80 km/h even with a flat tire. They are also equipped with a jammer to disrupt enemy radio signals and have windows measuring 60 cm wide by 30 cm high, enabling reconnaissance missions.

However, maintaining an MRAP costs between $10,000 and $20,000 annually per vehicle. The U.S. military spent $133.7 million in one year on MRAP truck maintenance in Afghanistan and Kuwait and poured $500 million into repairing damaged trucks. Because of this, when withdrawing from Afghanistan, the U.S. military offered allied countries the MRAPs stationed there for free. Croatia was the only country to respond to the U.S. offer, requesting 162 vehicles.

South Korea has deployed Barracuda armored vehicles to overseas dispatch units. The Barracuda armored vehicle was independently developed by Daewoo Heavy Industries based on assembly production know-how of the German Thyssen's TR-170 armored vehicle. Ordered by the Army for the Zaytun unit, it was equipped with RPG-7 defense fences, a 12.7mm turret, and smoke grenade launchers. The Barracuda has a combat weight of 12.3 tons and can carry 10 infantry soldiers in addition to two crew members. Its top speed is 93 km/h, and each unit costs 460 million won.