M1078 LMTV

   In 1991 a Stewart & Stevenson company was awarded a large-scale contract to manufacture the US Army's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) with the intention that eventually all the existing (and ageing) medium trucks in the Army's inventory would be replaced by a modern and efficient design. Since 2012 these trucks are produced by Oshkosh Corporation.

   The FMTV is based on an Austrian truck, the Steyr 12 M 18, but considerably reengineered to be available as the 4 x 4 2.5 tone Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) and the 6 x 6 5 tone Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). Both models have over 90 percent of components in common such as the cab, engine, drive train, tyres, wheels, front suspension, axles, etc, while this design involves many commercially available components. The basic LMTV is the M1078 cargo truck while the 6 x 6 base is the M1083.

   The M1078 standard cargo truck is designed to transport cargo and soldiers. It has a payload capacity of 2.27 t and to facilitate loading and unloading the bed-side rails are mounted on hinges and can be lowered. The cargo bed can be equipped with an optional bench seat kit for the transport of soldiers. The bench seats are constructed of a non-wood material and attach to the cargo bed side rails, and can be folded down and stowed when not in use. Soldiers are assisted when climbing in and out of the cargo bed area with the aid of a ladder, which is stowed on a vehicle when not in use. A canvas and bows kit are available to keep both soldiers and cargo protected from the elements. The M1078 can be equipped with optional electrically operated self-recovery winch kit capable of fore and aft vehicle recovery operations.

   Some versions of the LMTV are fitted with load handling cranes. Some versions are being produced as bare chassis for special bodies to be added. Both LMTV and MTV models use the same forward control cab which has features such as ease of maintenance and routine checking facilities. A machine gun mounting is provided with power steering and a fully automatic transmission coupled to a high efficiency and low emission Caterpillar diesel.

   The M1078 basic model have many variants such as:

- long wheelbase version;
- van bodies;
- dump truck;
- tractor truck;
- special version for low altitude air drops.

   Throughout the exercise the M1078 FMTV accent has been on reliability, low unit and running costs, and long term efficiency, all aspects well demonstrated during a grueling series of selection trials which took place over a period of many months before selection of the Steyr design. The FMTV family is destined to serve well into the 21st Century and is being offered for export sales in the Far East and elsewhere.