The US Army has placed an order for an additional 103 M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDTs) from Mack Defense, a company under the Volvo Group based in Sweden.
The presidential budget will fund the procurement of 74 trucks, while the National Guard will purchase the remaining 29, where the military vehicles will assist in the construction and upkeep of infrastructure assets such as airfields and supply facilities.
This latest order is part of a $296-million deal from 2018, which allotted the delivery of up to 683 HDTs over seven years.
“Our military continues to field Mack HDTs into various operations around the world, so these vehicles have been put to the test and continue to meet demanding requirements,” said Mack Defense President Dave Hartzell.
“For that reason, the Army, Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard continue to invest in these modern HDTs to ensure our soldiers have the right truck with the highest level of capabilities needed to ensure mission success.”
M917A3 Trucks
Based on the company’s Mack Granite commercial truck model, the M917A3 HDTs were enhanced to meet US military requirements.
It can carry up to 27 tons of payload and 18 cubic yards (13.7 cubic meters) of materials in its dump body.
Among its features include an all-wheel drive, heavier-duty rear axles, and an increased suspension ride height, with a diesel engine compatible with JP8 fuel commonly used in the military.
The HDT is powered by a Mack MP8 engine with 520 horsepower and 1,860 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the Euro 3 version shares the same horsepower but a slightly lower torque of 1,844 pound-feet.
The M917A3 can accommodate two personnel, the driver and the passenger, and can be airlifted.
Additionally, it is equipped with advanced technology such as the ABS, user-friendly control interfaces, and active safety systems.
