The $400,000 vehicle designed to replace the iconic Humvee

Technology · Published 30 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The U.S. military is transitioning to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). This video explores why this high-tech successor was built, how it handles extreme terrain, and the massive logistical shift it represents for modern warfare.

The JLTV is designed to replace the Humvee, offering advanced features like terrain modes, backup cameras, and specialized seating for soldiers with water packs. It is capable of maintaining stability at 40mph while traversing tank trails. The vehicle features a unique suspension system that allows it to fit onto cargo planes and ships. It can also be outfitted with armor kits that increase its weight to approximately 11 tons, effectively transforming the light truck into a 'mini tank.'

The production of the JLTV began with a contract worth nearly $7 billion in Wisconsin. Despite its high performance, the vehicle's initial price nearly doubled during development, leading to a final cost of about $400,000 per unit.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Humvee was designed for the rear lines, but asymmetric warfare changed everything.
• How a combat upgrade transformed a damaged fleet into the LAV 6
• The vehicle that became America's greatest contribution to modern warfare
• The U.S. Army is finally retiring its aging M113 fleet for a modern successor
• The infantry fighting vehicle: a hybrid machine designed to bridge the gap between transport and tank.
• Most of a hydrogen bomb's power actually comes from fission, not fusion
• The high-stakes choreography required to launch a stealth bomber
• Why the throwing knife is a masterclass in physics, balance, and ancient design
• How the V-22 Osprey masters the complex physics of vertical flight
• The tomahawk evolved from a stone-age tool into a modern tactical rescue instrument.
• Why seventeenth-century fortress designers built pincers into their defensive walls
• From peasant tool to police staple: the surprising evolution of the T-baton

More in Military technology · More in Technology · Latest · A–Z · All topics