Army replaces iconic Humvee with a faster vehicle

A big change after 40 years

After nearly four decades of Humvee service, the Army is adding new vehicles for different roles, JLTVs to replace many Humvees, and the ISV to boost light-infantry mobility. This vehicle was seen in combat missions from Afghanistan to Alaska and became a symbol of American military power.

Army officials believe it no longer fits the needs of modern battlefields filled with new technology. Replacing it marks a major step in preparing the Army for future conflicts.

Meet the infantry squad vehicle

The Army’s new replacement is the Infantry Squad Vehicle, or ISV, designed and produced by General Motors Defense. The ISV looks more like a dune buggy than a tank, showing a shift away from heavy armor toward speed and flexibility.

It is based on the Chevrolet Colorado platform, which is a regular consumer truck. This new design helps the Army adjust to faster and more dynamic military situations.

Built for the future

The Army built the ISV for new types of battlefields where speed and mobility matter more than protection. Future wars are expected to involve drones, robots, and advanced tracking systems that demand fast-moving vehicles.

The ISV is light, quick, and can be easily changed to suit different combat roles. The Army believes this kind of flexibility is key to winning the wars of tomorrow.

Lighter and cheaper to build

The ISV costs about $80,000 less than the Humvee and weighs significantly less. This lighter weight means it can be moved faster and carried more easily by military helicopters.

ISV assembly is at GM Defense’s Concord, North Carolina facility; the donor Chevrolet Colorado is built in Wentzville, Missouri. The Army hopes this will help keep manufacturing costs low and supply chains easier to manage.

What makes it different?

The ISV is made mostly from parts that come from regular trucks, not custom military equipment. According to USA TODAY, only 20% of its parts are unique to the Army, including electronics and communication systems.

This means it can be repaired using parts found at most commercial auto shops. It’s designed for quick fixes and easy maintenance, even in far-off places.

No roof or doors

The Infantry Squad Vehicle has no roof, no doors, and a large roll cage instead of heavy armor. It can carry up to nine soldiers and looks like a stretched-out dune buggy built for rough terrain.

The roll cage has “hard points” where troops can attach drones, weapons, or supplies, depending on the mission. Its open design makes it highly flexible for various battlefield needs.

The Humvee’s long history

The Pentagon has bought and distributed around 300,000 Humvees since it started using them in 1985, and nearly 100,000 remain in service today. These vehicles were used in multiple wars and locations, from cold areas like Alaska to deserts in Iraq.

The Humvee was perfect for its time, but it is now outdated. Army leaders believe it can’t keep up with modern combat demands.

The danger of the old design

Humvees became dangerous in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, where roadside bombs were a major threat to soldiers. Their flat aluminum bottoms made them easy targets for explosive devices.

The Army eventually replaced many of them with MRAPs, which offered better protection. However, MRAPs were heavier and harder to move quickly on the battlefield.

A shift toward speed over armor

Alex Miller, a top Army technical adviser, said that the next battles will need fast, flexible vehicles, not slow, heavily armored ones. The ISV gives up armor so it can move quickly and stay hard to hit.

Miller said, “It is not good for the fight we think we’re going to be in.” Speed is now seen as the best way to survive.

Ready for the next kind of war

Wars with countries like China or battles that resemble the war in Ukraine will require fast movement. Drones and surveillance will make slow vehicles like the Humvee dangerous to use.

The ISV is designed to get soldiers close to the fight, then let them walk the rest of the way. It is not made to take damage, but to avoid it altogether.

Easy to fly to battle

The ISV was designed for UH-60 sling load; a CH-47 can carry an ISV internally, which wasn’t possible with a Humvee. A larger Chinook helicopter can even carry two ISVs inside its cargo area.

This makes the ISV much easier to move quickly across different terrains. This airlift ability is a huge improvement for mission planning.

Soldiers are fans

Soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division were among the first to test the new ISVs. Many liked how lightweight and easy to drive the vehicle was, especially in rough areas.

The truck offered better views of threats around them. The soldiers described it as feeling like a normal pickup truck, only more useful for the battlefield.

Saving time and fuel

The ISV uses less gas than a Humvee, which helps it travel farther without needing to stop. This is important for long missions or when fuel is hard to get.

The ISV helps infantry keep up with armored units. That extra speed can help soldiers stay safe during fast-moving battles.

A return to Army roots

The ISV brings back the Army’s original vision for a fast, simple, and mobile vehicle like the early Humvee. It’s improved with a modern truck base and better handling.

It’s easier to fix and doesn’t cost as much to maintain. The Army hopes this new version will serve well for years to come.

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No armor, just strategy

The ISV isn’t designed to withstand blasts like the Humvee or MRAP. A Defense official said it’s built to avoid attacks altogether rather than endure them.

Small drones can be deployed in advance to scout the area for any hidden dangers. Instead of relying on heavy armor, the Army focuses on speed and tactical movement.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.