Zero Armor: Army Taps GM For Humvee Replacement

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Zero Armor: Army Taps GM For Humvee Replacement
Zero Armor: Army Taps GM For Humvee Replacement

The United States Army has revealed it plans to replace the Humvee with an unarmored light truck based on civilian model. The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) is made by GM Defense and is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2. It was chosen by the military thanks to the Ukraine War and changes in the future of warfare.

At one point the Oshkosh JLTV was supposed to replace the Humvee.

But is an unarmored, open truck that won’t even protect soldiers from small arms fire a good idea? The Pentagon acknowledges it’s a risk, but it also believes the world is changing and what the ISV lacks in armoring it makes up for in speed and maneuverability.

This comes from watching drones take out heavily armored vehicles in Ukraine, including the infamous “turtle tanks” used by Russia to protect against drone attacks. Drone operators were able to use the diminished visibility and maneuverability of those armored vehicles against them, hitting at critical points to kill or seriously maim soldiers inside.

Image via GM Defense
Image via GM Defense

Another big advantage of the ISV is the fact most of its parts are shared with the Colorado ZR2, so they’re readily available.

“You can repair it anywhere on Earth as long as you have access to commercial parts rather than a special military vehicle with special military parts,” Alex Miller, chief technical adviser to the US Army, told USA Today.

While for that reason some are likening it to the original jeeps used in WWII, those were purpose-built for the military and weren’t modified civilian vehicles. However, the lightweight, maneuverable nature of the jeeps are something they have in common with the ISV.

The plan is to arm soldiers riding in ISVs with drones and other robots which can scout ahead for ambushes or traps. That helps soldiers stay on the move rapidly, since drone operators supposedly like to hit stationary targets, says Miller.

“The longer you sit and the slower you are, the easier it is to kill you.”

But we’ve covered how Ukraine drone operators have targeted Russian soldiers on motorcycles, which are highly maneuverable and quick forms of transportation.

Not everyone’s sold these ISVs will fare well in future combat. However, the UK already jumped onboard back in June and other NATO member nations will likely use them as well. Russia, China, and others are likely weighing what kind of threat these trucks will pose in future theaters.

Images via GM Defense

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