The FMTV was introduced into U.S. Army service in 1996 to replace obsolete and maintenance-intensive 2.5 ton and 5 ton trucks. FMTV trucks perform local and line haul, unit mobility, unit resupply, and other missions in combat, combat support and combat service support units.
The original prime contractor for the FMTV series was Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc. of Sealy, TX, a company acquired by Armor Holdings/BAE Systems. In 2009, Oshkosh was awarded a new FMTV production order for 2,568 trucks, trailers and related services.
More than 56,000 FMTV trucks and trailers were delivered by Stewart & Stevenson Services. FMTV vehicles have maintained a 94 percent average operational readiness rate in OIF/OEF theaters.
FMTV with an attached rigid cargo bed cover carried by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) is a series of vehicles based on a common chassis. Trucks in the series vary by payload and mission requirements. There are two base vehicle patterns (2.5 ton and 5 ton) with multiple variants of each, including the addition of Material Handlling Equipment (MHE) to some models.
Convoy of FMTV M1083 five ton trucks.
FMTV is rapidly deployable worldwide for operation on primary and secondary roads, trails, and cross-country terrain, in all climatic conditions. Commonality of parts across truck chassis variants significantly reduces the logistics burden and operating and support costs. Click on the link in the list below for more information on specific FMTV vehicles.
Chart of FMTV: Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) with 2.5-ton capacity
The original manufacturer, BAE Systems, has this web page of FMTV specifications for all the models they manufactured. In February 2010, Oshkosh Corp. became the FMTV manufacturer, winning contracts for production of up to 12,415 trucks and 10,926 trailers. Oshkosh began shipping FMTV trucks and trailers in May 2010, offering 23 models, 14 truck variants and 3 trailer variants in the FMTV family.
Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:
The FMTV-A1 Series Vehicles
Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC) equipped FMTVs.
The FMTV-A1 series, introduced in 1999, includes an Environmental Protection Agency-certified engine, upgraded transmission, electronic data bus, an anti-lock brake system and interactive electronic technical manuals.
Experience in Iraq led to the development of an up-armored cab for installation on FMTV vehicles for tactical situations that may include IEDs or similar threats. This unit, called the the Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC), can be exchanged for the standard FMTV cab in one day or less of shop time.
FMTV Equipment Details
Cab
Design
3-Man, ergonomically adjustable driver seat and steering wheel
Steering type
Power assisted, recirculating ball
Storage
8 cu-ft
Cab suspension
Height-adjusting air springs with damper
Engine
Caterpillar 3126
Heavy duty diesel, 6-cylinder, electronic controlled, fuel-injectedturbocharged and aftercooled, EPA certified
