Dear Editor,
I was the R&D Coordinator and Deputy Weapon System manager for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) program from concept development to production at the Tank-Automotive Command in Detroit during the 1980s and wish to correct some errors in “The Strangest Vehicle” article in the October issue.
1. The remaining three companies in the running to build HMMWV were: AM General, Teledyn and General Dynamics
2. The military was looking to replace the quarter-ton Jeep, the Front Line Ambulance (FLA) and the Gamma-goat with the HMMWV.
3. The winning contractor, AM General began production of the HMMWV at their new plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, in 1985.
4. Production of civilian models began after completion of R&D at the AM General facilities in Livonia, Michigan.
Gary R. Cole
Major (Ret)
U.S. Army
