On June 17th, Ground Vehicle Systems Center and AM General conducted demonstrations of the capabilities of the Modernized High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle at the Detroit Arsenal’s Centerline Gardens in Warren, Michigan. The Modernized HMMWV is a mobility improvement over previous production HMMWVs, to include upgrades to powertrain, braking, vehicle weight, and more. The demonstrations took place after a Technical Interchange Meeting where GVSC and AM General briefed efforts on autonomy, electrification and hybridization respectively for their organizations, then co-briefed on the efforts of lightweighting HMMWVs that AM General and GVSC are working on together. If these lightweighting technologies are transitioned to the Project Manager, they could create a new capability for the up-armored HMMWV. The lightweighting means an opportunity for a CH-47 (Chinook) to more readily lift/slingload an up-armored HMMWV.
The TIMs are an opportunity to deeper dive into technology with our defense partners. In addition to another recent TIM with Intel Corporation, there are two more GVSC TIMs scheduled for the remainder of 2021 with Mack Defense and BAE Systems. GVSC, while familiar with TIMs, is exploring Centerline Gardens as a path forward to future discussions and demonstrations with defense partners.