<P> The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), commonly known as the Humvee, is a four - wheel drive military light truck produced by AM General . It has largely supplanted the roles previously performed by the original jeep, and others such as the Vietnam - era M151 jeep, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV), and other light trucks . Primarily used by the United States military, it is also used by numerous other countries and organizations and even in civilian adaptations . The Humvee's widespread use in the Gulf War of 1991, where it negotiated the treacherous desert terrain, helped inspire civilian Hummer versions . After going through a replacement process, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) was chosen as its successor . </P> <P> Since the WWII era Bantam Reconnaissance Car, the United States Army had relied on jeeps to transport small groups of soldiers . The jeep was built around a requirement for a compact vehicle with a folding windshield that was actually shorter than the Volkswagen Beetle . It seated three with a 660 lb (300 kg) payload and weighed just over one ton . By the 1970s, the U.S. Army had tried larger militarized civilian trucks, but even these no longer satisfied newer requirements . In 1977, Lamborghini developed the Cheetah model in an attempt to meet the Army contract specifications . </P> <P> In 1979, the U.S. Army drafted final specifications for a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), which was to replace all the tactical vehicles in the 1 / 4 to 1 1 / 4 - ton range, namely the M151 quarter - ton jeep and M561 Gama Goat, as one "jack - of - all - trades" light tactical vehicle to perform the role of several existing trucks . The specification called for excellent on and off - road performance, the ability to carry a large payload, and improved survivability against indirect fire . Compared to the jeep, it was larger and had a much wider track, with a 16 in (410 mm) ground clearance, double that of most sport - utility vehicles . The new truck was to climb a 60 percent incline and traverse a 40 percent slope . The air intake was to be mounted flush on top of the right fender (or to be raised on a stovepipe to roof level to ford 5 ft (1.5 m) of water and electronics waterproofed to drive through 2.5 ft (0.76 m) of water were specified . The radiator was to be mounted high, sloping over the engine on a forward - hinged hood . </P> <P> Out of 61 companies that showed interest, only three submitted prototypes . In July 1979, AM General, a subsidiary of American Motors Corporation began preliminary design work . Less than a year later, the first prototype was in testing . Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental also produced competing designs . In June 1981, the Army awarded AM General a contract for development of several more prototype vehicles to be delivered to the government for another series of tests . The original M998 A0 series had a curb weight of 5,200 lb (2,400 kg), a payload of 2,500 lb (1,100 kg), a 6.2 L (380 cu in) V - 8 diesel engine, and a three - speed automatic transmission . </P>

When did the military start using the humvee