Jeep and AM General are joining forces to build a military-spec pickup, drafting the Gladiator into active duty. Though we suppose this is more of a reunion than a team-up, as both companies (and their most iconic models) owe their existence to Kaiser Jeep and Willys — if you go back far enough.
Called the Gladiator XMT (Extreme Military-Grade Truck), the concept exists so AM General can address its need for a new light tactical vehicle. Apparently impressed with the civilian model’s off-road prowess and tow ratings, the manufacturer reached out to Fiat Chrysler to see what could be done with the 4×4. The duo plan to shop the XMT around to militaries around the world, but claim their chief concern remains its suitability for those marching (er… driving) under the American flag.
The partnership makes a lot of sense for Jeep, allowing it to tap directly into its special history with the military. It might even make a good alternative to the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (aka HMMWV/Humvee) in specific circumstances. AM General would certainly have to think so, since it’s planning on selling both.
Nimbleness would be the Gladiator XMT’s most obvious advantage, but it should also cost significantly less to procure. While no standard price for military-spec Humvees exists, outfitting them for combat duty can easily push them to well over $220,000 a pop. Oshkosh Defense’s quite large Joint Light Tactical Vehicle costs over twice that and is moving in to partially replace the HMMWV within America’s armed forces — potentially making additional room for a utilitarian dune hopper like the Gladiator XMT.
Most similarly-sized light utility vehicles currently in service with the U.S. military are highly specialized, allowing the XMT to take on a more generic role as a light strike vehicle. It may also be better suited to dense urban environments where ultra-wide vehicles like an armored-up Humvee can have trouble navigating. Not that we’d presume to know what’s best for the armed services. Nor can AM General, which is probably why it previewed the model filling multiple roles — everything from general transport or command vehicle to a mobile refrigerator.
As with the HMMWV, AM General wants to be able to “apply its manufacturing and engineering expertise to convert the Gladiator XMT into mission-specific and purposeful light-weight tactical trucks based on customer requirements.” Yet the base platform won’t be much different than any Gladiator you’ll find in a Jeep dealership — just beefed up with less-brash paint jobs. When questioned on specifics, the company said to assume XMTs will come with upgraded suspensions, improved rollover protection, an optional 12,000-pound winch, various armor configurations, super-durable interiors, and accessories suitable for whatever role they’re given.
AM General has yet to release any specs, but listed the civilian model’s 7,650 pounds of towing and (up to) 1,600 pounds of payload capacity as highly desirable. If the government is inclined to agree, production of diesel XMTs could begin in the second half of 2020. While we can’t be sure that engine will be the new 3.0-liter V6 Jeep plans on offering by year’s end, it seems probable.
[Images: AM General]
This would only be of use Stateside and in “safe zones” overseas. I’m pretty sure an IED or RPG would rip this truck up.
Regular 4×4 pickups are used as utility vehicles pretty well in every military… with the Toyota being one of the most popular. A version of this truck is already in use in Saudi Arabia, I believe, though under a slightly different name.
During my first deployment, our unspoken motto was to hide behind a wall of bullets. For every time they attacked us, we counter attacked seven fold. Fear of the US military was our best defense. It worked very well till political correctness got involved and tied our hands with restrictive ROE’s.
I’d estimate that 80% of the IED’s whose blast actually stuck a vehicle in my platoon would tear the jeep apart or disable it. Even the new MRAP’s wouldnt stand up to those nasty EFP’s we encountered.
These jeeps however, probably wouldn’t be made to withstand a blast. They more likely be used as light fast attack vehicles – not particularly well suited for urban combat.
But like i said, the best offense is fear of reprisal. No one wants to try to kill someone who is highly capable and effective at killing them back.
This seems suitable only as a marketing exercise for Jeep, while entirely pointless as a military tool.
The military has plenty of uses for these kind of things. There are plenty of places where they need utility but not fighting power. The have been buying modified pickups and SUV’s (CUCV, LSSV) from GM and Dodge for decades (well just GM for the last 3 which I assume why this came about).
They also still have some G class (IFAV) in use and some other small unarmored vehicles out there like the AGMV, and DPV which do roles that this might be useful for.
Toyota has the market cornered for terrorist brown pickup trucks. When I traveled through Latin America, I was stunned at the complete lack of Jeeps anywhere – it seems like a no brainer vehicle for Nicaragua, Honduras, etc. etc.
Replacing the Hilux around the world with this Jeep is brilliant. Terrorism would quite literally grind to a halt.
“Tactical” is overused so much it has become meaningless. Is there a “strategic “ military pickup truck?
Kaiser Jeep – sounds like German’s invented Jeep long before Americans.
German American
I’d buy the top one all day every day if the interior is truly weatherproof (Caveat:I can get by with just a motorcycle and I live in SoCal) and it was a stripper inside.
That’s because they want to drive vehicles that don’t breakdown all the time down there.
Don’t worry. Some joe will find a way to break it. E-1’s thru E-4’s are the best destructive testing a company can commit their product to.
Jon,
High school robotics teams and band dads might come close.
lol
what in Gods green earth is a “band dad”?
Band dads are fathers of high school marching band members. Band dads are often responsible for transporting equipment and props to games and competitions. The destructive testing part becomes relevant if you are tasked with design and fabrication of wheel and dolly arrangements for such items…
Side note: My mother-in-law is capable of “closing” a car door harder than any spec ever written.
I’d like to see a spartan ‘DL’ model specifically for delivery purposes – available in right hand drive, with dual sliding doors. Just imagine all of those Jeeps in either post office or Amazon livery populating every town in America!