AM General, a manufacturer of 4×4 military light tactical vehicles that operates a large technical and engineering center in Auburn Hills, has received a contract from the U.S. Army to provide two HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer Systems for the U.S. Army’s characterization test of its soft recoil technology.
AM General and its partner, Mandus Group in Illinois, have been integrating the soft recoil technology (SRT) onto light, mobile, transportable, and survivable platforms without sacrificing firepower.
According to the companies, SRT is a “disruptive technology” that will reduce the firing loads for direct and indirect weapons systems, enabling combat systems to meet emerging requirements. The technology is ready now and can be deployed on existing weapons platforms for an immediate effect on the battlefield. Soft recoil enables reduction in overall system weight, making systems more agile and responsive to benefit the supported maneuver commander.
“AM General’s integration of soft recoil technology onto mobile platforms demonstrates our commitment to the innovation required to make future combat vehicles lighter, more survivable, and more lethal,” says Regis Luther, senior vice president of engineering and chief technology officer at AM General. “We are honored to support the U.S. Army’s efforts to test and prove mobile howitzer systems.”
The HUMVEE 2-CT (M1152 two-door cargo truck) that serves as the mobile platform, will come with a standard 14,100-pound gross vehicle weight, 205-horsepower engine, and antilock braking system.
While the U.S. Army conducts characterization testing of the 2-CT Hawkeye MHS over the next year, AM General and Mandus Group say they plan to continue refining the technology for integration of the soft recoil technology onto other mobile platforms. Scalability already is being tested with a 155mm prototype. The group also is exploring integration onto other existing and future combat systems.
