Army Requires Up To 680 Vehicles
Mack Defense recently started production of five Mack GRANITE-based M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDT) as part of the Production Vehicle Testing (PVT) phase of its $296 million contract with the US Army for armoured and armour-capable HDTs. Once completed, the trucks will enter 40 weeks of rigorous durability testing at the Army’s Aberdeen Test Center this summer.
“We’re confident the M917A3 will provide the Army the legendary durability and toughness Mack customers have come to depend on,” stated company President, David Hartzell.
Seeking the next generation of M917 vehicles to offer increased protection levels, higher payload and improved mobility, the Army solicited bids for new HDTs in June 2017. The contract, awarded to Mack Defense in May 2018, allows for the company to produce armour-capable or armoured HDTs with deliveries through May 2025. The trucks will increase operational effectiveness and readiness, and will support mobility, counter mobility, survivability and sustainment operations for the Joint Forces in areas of the world with austere infrastructure and little or no host nation support.
“We have had regular meetings with our US Army partners in preparation for the PVT phase of the contract, and we look forward to providing a tough, dependable truck that will meet their requirements,” commented the company’s HDT Program Manager, Jack Terefinko.
Based on Mack’s civilian GRANITE model, Mack Defense engineers optimised the M917A3 HDT to meet the current needs of the US Army, while allowing for evolving requirements and future growth. With heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive and increased suspension ride height, the M917A3 is capable of meeting the demanding payload and mobility requirements set by the HDT programme.
