Light Utility Vehicle
Encyclopedia
Light utility vehicle is a general term for small, jeep-like military trucks for tactical use. They are generally short, relatively light compared to other trucks and cars, unarmored with 4-wheel drive and short body overhangs for all-terrain mobility and at least 4 passenger capacity. Civilian adaptations of the Jeep and Land Rover were the first sport utility vehicle
s, and some SUVs such as the Chevy Blazer have been used as military Light Utility Vehicles.
The importance of this class of military vehicle was summed up by General Eisenhower who said that the four most important US weapons in World War II
were the C-47 Skytrain
, the bazooka
, the jeep
, and the atom bomb, and similar vehicles are among the most common military vehicles in armies of most nations.
The Willys MB
US Army Jeep of World War II
is the most widely known vehicle of this class. Over 640,000 Jeeps were built for World War II, and they inspired many vehicles similar in layout, or function. The M38A1 Jeep was used in the Korean War. It was followed by the Vietnam-era M151 MUTT, which was designed by Ford. By the mid-1980s, this role would be taken over by the larger HMMWV
, which would be used as an armored fighting vehicle in Iraq. The US also purchased Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle
s based on commercially available light trucks. US forces are currently defining the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
which would be designed to be armored from the outset, with the smallest 4-person payload capacity class corresponding to the traditional jeep role.
In World War II, Germany used the Volkswagen Kübelwagen
for a similar role. It had two-wheel drive, but took advantage of light weight and a rear-mounted engine for mobility.
The Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
was the most mass-produced amphibious car in history, and arguably the most capable light military wheeled off-roader in World War II.
The Soviet Union
produced the GAZ-64
based largely on the US jeep design, succeeded by the GAZ-67
. That series was replaced by the UAZ-469
commander jeep which was introduced in 1973.
In 1948, the British Land Rover
was developed. Originally intended to be a civilian and agricultural successor to the Willys Jeep (the prototype Land Rover was built on the chassis of a Willys and used Willys transmission parts but production vehicles used no Jeep components) the Land Rover was brought into military service in 1949, becoming the standard Light Utility Vehicle for the British Army
and many armed forces of the Commonwealth
. The original Land Rover design evolved into the modern-day Land Rover Defender which is still in military service throughout the world.
In the 1960s, China's Beijing Automobile Works produced its own "jeep", the BJ212 which was largely a Chinese copy of the Soviet UAZ-469B. Often called the “Beijing Jeep”, the BJ121 was widely used in both military and civilian service in China, with over 200,000 produced by end of production in 1983. In May 1983, American Motors Corporation (AMC) agreed to allow the updated BJ2020S to use the 85hp engine of the XJ Jeep Cherokee
. The latest Chinese light utility will be the BJ2022JC 'Brave Warrior', built by Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automobile Co. Adapted from existing Mercedes Benz designs, the BJ2022JC will carry 0.7 ton, with a wheelbase of 110 inches, and has an independent suspension system with a 101.5 kW 3.2 L turbo-charged inter-cooling diesel engine.
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
s, and some SUVs such as the Chevy Blazer have been used as military Light Utility Vehicles.
The importance of this class of military vehicle was summed up by General Eisenhower who said that the four most important US weapons in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
were the C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, the bazooka
Bazooka
Bazooka is the common name for a man-portable recoilless rocket antitank weapon, widely fielded by the U.S. Army. Also referred to as the "Stovepipe", the innovative bazooka was amongst the first-generation of rocket propelled anti-tank weapons used in infantry combat...
, the jeep
Willys MB
The Willys MB US Army Jeep and the Ford GPW, were manufactured from 1941 to 1945. These small four-wheel drive utility vehicles are considered the iconic World War II Jeep, and inspired many similar light utility vehicles. Over the years, the World War II Jeep later evolved into the "CJ" civilian...
, and the atom bomb, and similar vehicles are among the most common military vehicles in armies of most nations.
Willys MB
The Willys MB US Army Jeep and the Ford GPW, were manufactured from 1941 to 1945. These small four-wheel drive utility vehicles are considered the iconic World War II Jeep, and inspired many similar light utility vehicles. Over the years, the World War II Jeep later evolved into the "CJ" civilian...
US Army Jeep of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
is the most widely known vehicle of this class. Over 640,000 Jeeps were built for World War II, and they inspired many vehicles similar in layout, or function. The M38A1 Jeep was used in the Korean War. It was followed by the Vietnam-era M151 MUTT, which was designed by Ford. By the mid-1980s, this role would be taken over by the larger HMMWV
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle , better known as the Humvee, is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by smaller Jeeps such as the M151 MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV,...
, which would be used as an armored fighting vehicle in Iraq. The US also purchased Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle
Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle
The Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle or CUCV Program was instituted to provide the United States military with a cheaper Light Utility Vehicle to augment the purpose-built, but expensive, Gama Goats and M151 series "Jeeps" approaching the end of their service life. It initially provided Dodge D...
s based on commercially available light trucks. US forces are currently defining the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is a U.S. Army, USSOCOM, and U.S. Marine Corps program to replace the current Humvee with a family of more survivable vehicles and greater payload...
which would be designed to be armored from the outset, with the smallest 4-person payload capacity class corresponding to the traditional jeep role.
Volkswagen Kübelwagen
The Volkswagen Kübelwagen was a military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and built by Volkswagen during World War II for use by the German military...
for a similar role. It had two-wheel drive, but took advantage of light weight and a rear-mounted engine for mobility.
The Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
The VW Type 128 and 166 Schwimmwagen were amphibious four-wheel drive off-roaders, used extensively by the German Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS during the Second World War...
was the most mass-produced amphibious car in history, and arguably the most capable light military wheeled off-roader in World War II.
The Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
produced the GAZ-64
GAZ-64
GAZ-64 was a 4x4 vehicle made by GAZ, succeeding the earlier GAZ-61 which was totally reconstructed in a very short period under the leadership of Vitaliy Grachev and was named GAZ-64. Only 646 GAZ-64 were made between march 1941 and summer 1942. It was succeeded by the more popular GAZ-67 and...
based largely on the US jeep design, succeeded by the GAZ-67
GAZ-67
The GAZ-67 and the subsequent GAZ-67B were general purpose four wheel drive Soviet military vehicles built by GAZ starting in 1943. By the end of the war, it was the Soviet equivalent of the Willy's Jeep...
. That series was replaced by the UAZ-469
UAZ-469
The UAZ-469 is an all-terrain vehicle manufactured by UAZ. It was used by the Red Army and other Warsaw Pact forces, as well as paramilitary units in Eastern Bloc countries. In the Soviet Union, it also saw widespread service in all state organizations that needed a robust off-road vehicle.The...
commander jeep which was introduced in 1973.
In 1948, the British Land Rover
Land Rover Series
The Land Rover Series I, II, and III are off-road vehicles produced by the British manufacturer Land Rover that were inspired by the US-built Willys Jeep...
was developed. Originally intended to be a civilian and agricultural successor to the Willys Jeep (the prototype Land Rover was built on the chassis of a Willys and used Willys transmission parts but production vehicles used no Jeep components) the Land Rover was brought into military service in 1949, becoming the standard Light Utility Vehicle for the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and many armed forces of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. The original Land Rover design evolved into the modern-day Land Rover Defender which is still in military service throughout the world.
In the 1960s, China's Beijing Automobile Works produced its own "jeep", the BJ212 which was largely a Chinese copy of the Soviet UAZ-469B. Often called the “Beijing Jeep”, the BJ121 was widely used in both military and civilian service in China, with over 200,000 produced by end of production in 1983. In May 1983, American Motors Corporation (AMC) agreed to allow the updated BJ2020S to use the 85hp engine of the XJ Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
The Jeep Cherokee is a unibody compact SUV. It shared the name of the original full-size SJ model, but without a body-on-frame chassis, it set the stage for the modern SUV. Its innovative appearance and sales popularity spawned important imitators as other automakers began to notice that this...
. The latest Chinese light utility will be the BJ2022JC 'Brave Warrior', built by Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automobile Co. Adapted from existing Mercedes Benz designs, the BJ2022JC will carry 0.7 ton, with a wheelbase of 110 inches, and has an independent suspension system with a 101.5 kW 3.2 L turbo-charged inter-cooling diesel engine.
HMMWV-like vehicles
The HMMWV layout is larger and wider than the original jeep, and inspired another generation of similar vehicles.- GAZ-2975 "Tigr"GAZ-2975The GAZ-2975 "Tigr" is a Russian high-mobility multipurpose military vehicle, manufactured by Military Industrial Company LLC . It is the military version of the GAZ-2330 "Tigr". It is equipped with a powerful diesel, turbocharged, air-cooled engine and five-speed manual transmission...
- Russian Military HMMWV currently in service - Toyota built a vehicle largely derived from the HMMWV design with a similar design and layout called the Mega CruiserToyota Mega CruiserThe Toyota Mega Cruiser is a large, heavy-duty sport utility vehicle introduced by Toyota in 1995. The largest SUV ever built by Toyota, it resembled the Hummer H1, and like the Hummer, was designed primarily for military use with the Mega Cruiser seeing duty as infantry transports equipped with...
. Toyota produced a military version of the Mega Cruiser, named the Koukidousya, that is in service with the Japan Self Defense Forces. - MahindraMahindra & Mahindra LimitedMahindra & Mahindra Limited is the flagship company of the Mahindra Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. The company was set up in 1945 in Ludhiana as Mahindra & Mohammed by brothers K.C. Mahindra and J.C. Mahindra and Malik Ghulam Mohammed...
is planning to manufacture the Mahindra AxeMahindra AxeMahindra Axe is a Light Military Utility Tactical Vehicle built by Mahindra & Mahindra. Mahindra Axe is being customized to meet Indian Army specifications; the Indian Army is evaluating it as a replacement for the current Mahindra Jeep derivatives....
, an HMMWV type vehicle designed in Israel. Development cost has been reported to be US$10 million. Axe Photographs and Additional Axe Photographs - Iveco LMVIveco LMVIveco LMV is a 4WD tactical vehicle developed by Iveco, and in service with several countries.After its adoption by the Italian Army under the name VTLM Lince , it won the “FCLV” competition of the British Army as the Panther and has been adopted by the armies of Belgium, Croatia, Norway, Russia...
- Tata MotorsTata MotorsTata Motors Limited is an Indian multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Mumbai, India. Part of the Tata Group, it was formerly known as TELCO...
has just released its LSV (Light Specialist Vehicle) which is now undergoing trials for the Indian ArmyIndian ArmyThe Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... - UroUro (trucks)Uro is a Galician brand of all-wheel-drive and military trucks, based in Santiago de Compostela.The Uro parent company, Urovesa, was started in 1981 by a group of ex-IPV employees....
of Spain builds the VAMTAC. - Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of the UkraineUkraineUkraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
builds the Dozor-A. - MOWAG EagleMOWAG EagleThe MOWAG Eagle is a wheeled armored vehicle designed by the Swiss MOWAG corporation. It has gone through several generations of development. The current vehicle, introduced in November 2003, is the Eagle IV, which is based on the Duro IIIP chassis...
- Marine Multi-Purpose VehicleMarine Multi-purpose VehicleThe Marine Multi-purpose Vehicle or MMPV is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by the Philippine Marine Corps to replace M151 MUTT jeeps in service as they are hard to maintain with problems concerning availability of spare parts.-Creation:...
(MMPV) by Philippine Marine CorpsPhilippine Marine CorpsThe Philippine Marine Corps is the marine corps of the Philippines, and is part of the Philippine Navy.- History :...