HMMWV, abbreviation for Highmobility Multi-purpose multiwheeled Wheeled Vehicle familiarly called as Humvees are 4 wheel drive vehicles manufactured by American Motors General, used extensively in the US military and also in many other countries and organizations. The concept of HMMWV was born in late 1970′s when the US Army wanted to upgrade its personnel and light transport carriers to war grade. The US military currently employs 17 different modifications of the HMMWV which include troop carriers, ambulance, command vehicles, weapons platforms etc. These HMMWVs were widely used in many wars ranging from operation desert storm to the recent war in Iraq. These Humvees were not designed for usage in front line combat. The basic purpose of HMMWV was to use it as a troop carrier, support vehicle, with an exception of weapon platforms which are to be used in near front line operations. The HMMWV armor was designed to deflect shrapnel and small arms fire. It is not effective against automatic fire at close quarters and RPGs, which led to a number of causalities in the urban warfare scenario faced in Mogadishu and in Iraq. These events led to the decision of uparmouring the HMMWV to withstand heavy fire, but that additional weight will affect the performance.
The US Government is on the look-out for a new generation of multipurpose armored troop carrier to replace the present day HMMWVs. Currently more than 50 countries around the world are using Humvees in various military and peacetime roles. Many similar vehicles designed on the lines of Humvees are being manufactured by many companies around the world to meet the civilian as well as military requirements. Hence if you dream about driving a Humvee like you own it, then join the Army as soon as possible because they might get phased out soon.