Four Wheel Drive

FMTV Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.

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The requirements for what became the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) were worked out in the early 1980's and crystalized with a formal US Army tender in 1988.

FM TV pictures by St ewart and St evenson
 FMTV's object was to replace the US Army's ageing M35 trucks with a modern truck to last beyond the year 2000. Stewart & Stevenson and Steyr Daimler Puch were successful with trucks based on Steyr's 12 M 18 model.

The FMTV family consists of 2.5-ton (capacity) 4x4 LMTV trucks and 5-ton 6x6 MTV trucks in various configurations. They are produced by Stewart & Stevenson's Tactical Vehicle Systems Division at Sealy, near Houston Texas.

Interchangeability of components was an important design objective to ease servicing and reduce costs. For example, the 4x4 and 6x6 trucks share front and rear axles, transmission and Caterpillar engine (225hp version in the 4x4 and 290hp version, courtesy of higher turbo boost, in the 6x6).

[Cen tral Tyre Inflation System C T I S]
 An on-the-move central tyre inflation system is fitted (left). Also note that the truck, as is, is 6" too tall for the C141 aircraft. To load it into this aircraft, the operator deflates cab air-bags and lowers suspension by air, uses chassis shackles to keep the road springs compressed and lowers the tire pressure to 12psi; it then fits.

Various bodies is being made by outside suppliers - tractor, drop-side trays, tipper, fuel tanker, wrecker and vans.

The trucks are also available in civilian versions as the SS400 and SS800.

A WD transmission

view of cab interior

 Events:

1988: US Army tendered for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
Steyr Daimler Puch start developing prototypes based on their Steyr 12 M 18 truck.
Steyr links with Stewart & Stevenson.
Stewart & Stevenson, General Motors and Teledyne short-listed.
1989/1990: Steyr prototypes sent to the USA.
1991, 11 October: The Steyr / Stewart & Stevenson bid succeeds.
1993, 25 June: roll out at Sealy plant.
1996 January: Ft. Bragg N.C., The US Army's XVIII Airborne Corps become the first unit to receive MTV trucks.
1998, 16 October: contract for 9000 trucks to be delivered over 4 to 5 years. Improvements to flywheel housing and drive shaft; ABS brakes fitted.

References

  • The Soldier's Choice. SDP Topical, 3/91, p3-9, 1991.
  • Industry Begins Billion Dollar Order. Trailer / Body Builders p42 1993.

Go to the 4x4, 6x6, Stewart and Stevenson, Steyr Daimler Puch and Military Vehicles pages
Thanks to Larry Smith for pictures and information.