History

Based on operational evaluations of vehicle survivability against small arms and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Army began adding additional armor to its existing fleet of M998 series "soft" trucks and M1025 armored armament carriers. The M1114 series of armament carriers represents this up-armoring taken one step further; rather than having the armor retro fitted to the vehicle, the armor package is incorporated into the vehicles construction. This "by design" method allows for a more efficient use of materials as well as improved survivability, as the vehicle is constructed from the wheels up with the additional armor upgrades already integrated into the design.

In addition to having significantly higher levels of top, bottom and side protection, the M1114 series vehicles also have improved suspensions and larger brakes, to account for the additional weight, larger, more powerful turbocharged diesel engines (6.5l vs 6.2l found in the M998 and M1025 vehicles) as well as integrated air conditioning units. The M1114's also feature a strengthened frame and stronger lift points, to facilitate air transport.

In addition to improving protection to the crew inside the vehicle, modifications were made to the vehicle?s weapon system to reduce crew exposure. The Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS) is a remotely operated weapon system that eliminates the need for a crewmember to expose themselves. The CROWS mount will accept the M2, M240, M249 machine guns or the Mk. 19 40mm grenade launcher. CROWS has 360 degrees of visibility and features a daylight video sight, thermal imager, and laser rangefinder.

As with all HMMWVs, the M1114 is manufactured by AM General. The M1114 entered production in 2004 and remains in production as of 2007. The M1114 is not replacing either the M998 or M1025 series of vehicles, but is rather a purpose built vehicle tailored to current threats in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Description

General characteristics

The M1114 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is a 4-door, diesel powered, 1.25-ton capacity utility vehicle capable of operating in either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive.  The M1114 is 16.2 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and is 6 feet tall.  It is equipped with an automatic transmission and in most configurations provides seating for four passengers (the vehicle can be operated with five passengers with one occupying the gunner?s station in the vehicle turret, though this position lacks such safety equipment such as seatbelts, and is generally left unoccupied in non-tactical situations.)

Externally, the M114 is grossly similar to the M1025 in appearance, with the rear hatch retaining the "turtle back" appearance of the M1025.  One noticeable difference between the two vehicles though, is the presence of the built-in A/C unit, which is located over the left rear wheel, and the design of the flush mounted reinforced bullet-proof glass windows (in many of the uparmor kits mounted on the M1025 these windows protruded several inches from the door frame, giving the doors a "bugeye" appearance.

The M1114, like all HMMWVs, is capable of travel both on and off road.  The M1114 is not amphibious, though it can be equipped with air intake and exhaust extensions for water crossings (up to 5 feet.)  As with all HMMWVs, the M1114 is equipped with run-flat wheel inserts to allow the vehicle to continue traveling in the event a tire is lost.

The M1114 can be equipped with roof mounted smoke grenade launchers, one cluster mounted at each corner of the roof, which can be fired electrically from inside the vehicle.

The armor package provided by the M1114 provides all round coverage against 7.62mm AP ammunition, 155mm artillery blast protection from above or below the vehicle.  The M1114 can survive the detonation of a 12-pound TNT charge under the front portion of the vehicle, and a 4-pound charge in the rear.

Powerplant

The M1114 is equipped with a diesel fueled V-8 turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 380 ft/lb of torque.  It is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and is capable from shifting between 2WD and 4WD from inside the vehicle.

Performance

The M1114 has a curb (empty) weight of 9,800 pounds, a maximum weight of 12,100 pounds, and a load weight of 2,300 pounds.  The maximum towing capacity of the M1114 is 4,200 pounds.  The M1114 has a top speed of approximately 75 mph, and a cruising range of approximately 275 miles.  The M1114 can climb a 40% grade and traverse a 30% side slope.

Armament

The M1114 is equipped with a single, roof mounted weapon station.  This station can accommodate a single machine gun (either M2 .50 caliber, M249 5.56mm, or M240 series 7.62mm) or the Mk. 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher.  While other, more exotic weapons have been mounted on HMMWVs, such as the M134 7.62mm 6-barreled minigun, and the GAU-19/A 3-barreled .50 caliber (GECAL) machinegun, these are not in widespread service.