M915 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 50,000 GVWR 6X4The M915 Line-Haul Tractor (Truck, Tractor, 14-ton, 6x4) is used primarily in active and reserve component transportation units for the rapid, efficient transport of bulk supplies from ocean ports to division support areas within a theater of operation. It was type classified Std. A in 1979. In Europe, the 37th TRANS. COM. used these tractors with M872 trailers. Both tractor and trailer were custom modified, according to this information provided by dennyb from Iowa who was in 53rd Trans BN HQ during the period:
M915 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul VariantsAM General produced M915-series variants M915 and M915A1, then Freightliner produced the M915A2 through M915A5, based upon Freightliner's commercial FLD120 tractors. Model differences include:
To retrofit a target truck to the M915A4 standard, the original engine and rear axle bogies are salvaged and then installed in a new production "glider kit" cab and chassis assembly. The M915A4 costs only about 2/3 the cost of a new vehicle. The U.S. Army contracted with Freightliner to retrofit 1,857 M915s and an additional 2,200 M915A1s may be upgraded. In September 2009, Freightliner, as a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), was awarded a contract to produce 1,780 M915A5 6x4 line haul tractors, a block upgrade of the M915A3 model. The major change in the M915A5 is the inclusion of armor protection, using the Army A-kit and B-Kit design strategy. DTNA partnered with BAE Systems to develop and integrate an armor package design into the M915A5 line haul tractor. BAE will provide DTNA with an A-Kit for each M915A5 produced on the military production line in Portland, OR. BAE will also produce B-Kits for trucks as requested from the U.S. Army to meet combat requirements. In addition to enhanced armor, the M915A5 features a larger cab to store combat gear, personal weapons and ammunition. The larger cab, combined with an upgraded electrical system, also provides the space and power for the robust C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) packages now utilized on line haul trucks in combat. The M915A5 deliveries were planned for late 2009 and 2010. The M915 Line-Haul Tractor is used with trailers:
The M915 had full nomenclature Truck, Tractor: 14-Ton, Line Haul, 6x4 50,000 GVW. It had a 2 1/2 inch kingpin (M915) and is transportable by highway, rail, marine, and air modes worldwide. Table of Variants of the M915 Line Haul Tractor
Maximum gross combined vehicle weight (GCVW) of the M915 when operating with the M872 semitrailer is 105,000 lbs. Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M915 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 50,000 GVWR 6X4 at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup. M915 Line Haul Tractor Photo Gallery
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