Ground Mobility Vehicle – (US)SOCOM program

The Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) is a U.S. Special Operations Command, (US)SOCOM program, initially modifying Humvees into several variants for use by the United States special operations forces (SOF).[1]

Ground Mobility Vehicle
A GMV-N used by the Navy SEALs
TypeLight utility vehicle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass123 kg (271 lb)
Length123 mm (4.8 in)
 length123 mm (4.8 in)
Main
armament
Can be fitted with various weapons:
Operational
range
  • 275 miles (443 km) over 70 mph (110 km/h) (Cruising)
References[1][2]
Not to be confused with Army Ground Mobility Vehicle – the U.S. Army program, earlier also just named 'Ground Mobility Vehicle' (GMV).

Its design is mostly based on lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm,[1] after an initial program, post 1985, for specialized HMMWVs for desert strike operations: the Desert Mobility Vehicle (DMV), or "Dumvee".[3] GMV crews like to call them "gun trunks".

The GMV program is superseded by the GMV 1.1, based on the General Dynamics Flyer 72. It is understood that under a seven-year indefinite delivery / indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract (August 2013–August 2020),[4] SOCOM wishes to procure 1,297 GMV 1.1s — to replace its 1,072 first generation, Humvee-based GMV units.[5]

History

The GMV was based on special forces Humvees that were developed based on American military deployed to the Middle East.[6] The program was initially meant to provide equipment related to mountaineous deployment.[6]

Variants

Early models were based on the M1025 Humvee chassis. Later models of GMVs included versions based on the M1113 chassis. Another model based on the M1165 HMMWV can be fitted with armor kits to create an 'up-armored' GMV with additional armor plating and an optional ballistic shield around the top gunner's turret.

Variants consist of the following:[6]

Design

The GMV has a cruising range of 275 miles (443 km) at over 70 mph (110 km/h) for operations behind enemy lines with only occasional resupply. GMVs feature an open rear, where an enclosed cabin would normally be. This flat bed area is used to store all the fuel, ammunition, rations and other supplies that the mission requires.

Each GMV can carry from 1 soldier to at least 10 in full combat gear and room for enough fuel with supplies to operate in the desert for 10 days. The crew can modified the GMV to meet their specific needs.

Improvements

The GMV program made changes in the Humvee's chassis and tires to make them more compatible for off-road work. The tires used were more rugged[7] and have a central tire inflation system. Heavy suspension was also included as an upgrade,[6] giving a ground clearance of 16.8 inch / 42.672 cm. There was an increased payload capacity to 2½ tons (unarmored M998 / M1025 GMVs) [8]

A V8 6.5L turbocharged diesel engine that ran at 190 horse power (142 kw) at 3,400 rpm was installed. Extra fuel tanks were available to improve on the GMV's range. Multiple M243 smoke grenade launchers are sometimes installed.

An open bed was used for improved storage and access with a winch for towing other vehicles (up to 4,200 pounds/1,905.088 kg). Armor plating was also available to better protect the vehicle and its occupants.[7]

Replacement
In August 2012, the JAMMA, or SPECTRE vehicle, was offered for US SOCOM's GMV 1.1 requirement.
Main article: General Dynamics Flyer

In June 2012, the United States Special Operations Command requested proposals for a new, better GMV, version 1.1. By contrast to converted Humvees, the vehicle needed to be lighter, faster, more easily transportable by air, sea, and land, and contain next generation communications and computing equipment. The vehicle was expected to be selected by the end of 2012, with production beginning in 2013. 1,300 of the new vehicles are to be in service by 2020.[5] Vehicles entered were the Northrop Grumman Medium Assault Vehicle – Light (MAV-L), AM General's reengineered GMV design, HDT Global's Storm SRTV, the Oshkosh Special Purpose All-Terrain Vehicle (S-ATV), the Navistar Special Operations Tactical Vehicle (SOTV), and General Dynamics Flyer.[9] The winner was expected to be selected in May 2013.[10] The decision for the winner was delayed until August 2013 to work through processes in dealing with vendors.

The remaining contenders included the AM General upgraded GMV, the General Dynamics Flyer, and the Navistar SOTV.[11] On 22 August 2013, General Dynamics was selected as the winner of the contract, potentially valued at $562 million. The vehicle will replace 1,092 GMVs, with funds to buy the first 101 in FY 2014 at $245,000 per vehicle.[12][13][14]

In September 2013, AM General and Navistar filed protests over the decision to award the contract to General Dynamics.[15] On December 19, 2013, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) denied Navistar and AM General's protests. On January 7, 2014, AM General sued the U.S. Special Operations Command in the Court of Federal Claims. The complaint from the case was sealed, with AM General indicating the suit contained "secret, source selection sensitive, confidential or other proprietary information" covered by a protective order issued by the GAO, with a proposed redacted version of the complaint for public release yet to be approved by the court.[16] On 7 April 2014, the US Federal Claims Court rejected AM General's lawsuit, allowing General Dynamics to resume work and continue with the contract.[17]

References
  1. "GMV - Ground Mobility Vehicle - Special Operations Vehicles". Americanspecialops.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/gmv-specs.htm
  3. Neville (2011), pp. 5–6, 16.
  4. Special Operations Vehicles Family — Special Operations Vehicles Industry Conference, 2018
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20191024213257/https://www.janes.com/images/assets/593/36593/Wheels_of_the_Elite.pdf
  6. USSOCOM Ground Mobility Vehicle – GlobalSecurity.org, 27-10-2018
  7. https://www.tactical-life.com/lifestyle/military-and-police/vehicles-special-operations-forces/
  8. Neville (2011), p. 16.
  9. Truck Makers Gear Up for Special Operations Light Vehicle Competition - Nationaldefensemagazine.com, October 26, 2012
  10. SOCOM may pick truck winner in May - DoDBuzz.com, March 28, 2013
  11. Special Operations Truck Contract Delayed - Nationaldefensemagazine.com, May 17, 2013
  12. "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Designer Test > News". Defense.gov. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  13. "General Dynamics Wins $562 Million SOCOM Truck Deal". Dodbuzz.com. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  14. Special Ops Command Announces $560M Award for Critical New Vehicle - Defensenews.com, 22 August 2013
  15. AM General and Navistar Protest SOCOM Vehicle Contract - Defensenews.com, 4 September 2013
  16. "Humvee Maker Protests $562M DOD Vehicle Contract Award". Law360.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  17. AM General Lawsuit Against SOCOM Rejected; GD Starts Work on Special Ops Vehicle - Defensenews.com, 9 April 2014

Bibliography
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