Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
1978 |
Configuration |
6x4 |
Cab seating |
1 + 2 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight (empty) |
8.45 t |
Payload capacity |
30 t |
Length |
6.49 m |
Width |
2.49
m |
Height |
3.61 m |
Mobility |
Engine |
Cummins NTC 400 diesel |
Engine power |
400 hp |
Maximum road speed |
107 km/h |
Range |
~ 750 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
~ 18% |
Side slope |
? |
Vertical step |
? |
Trench |
? |
Fording |
0.5 m |
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The M915 is
a baseline model of a series of heavy US Army trucks.
In the late
1970s the US Army was looking for new commercial logistic trucks. In
1977 a request was issued for a series of heavy trucks. The US Army
received technical proposals from 6 manufacturers. The AM General
offered the lowest price and was eventually selected as a winner. In 1977 the US Army
awarded a contract for 5 507 trucks. First vehicles
were delivered to the US Army in 1978.
The M915 is based on Centaur series of commercial trucks, built by Crane
Carrier Company. The AM General had a license agreement to
manufacture and sell these vehicles to the US government. Only
minimum modifications were made to adapt vehicles for
military use. The M915 is a baseline model. This series consists of M915
line haul tractor,
M916
light equipment transporter,
M917
dump truck, M918 bituminous distributor, M919 concrete mixer and
M920
medium equipment transporter.
There are three basic chassis with 6x4, 6x6 and 8x6 configurations.
Layout of all vehicles is similar.
The M915
Line Haul Tractor (LHT) is primarily used for long distance movement
of containers. It is used to move cargo from port to division
operation area. Normally this truck was used in conjunction with a M872 semi-trailer,
which has a
payload capacity of 30 t. This vehicle was designed to operate on
hard surface roads.
All of the
M915 series truck were
fitted with day cabs. The cab accommodates driver, co-driver and one
more passenger. The cab has an all-steel construction. Some add-on
armor kits were developed for the M915 series of trucks by several
companies. These provide some degree of protection against small arms fire,
artillery shell splinters and blasts. Over 3 000 armor kits were
supplied to the US armed forces for operation in Iraq.
This line
haul tractor is powered by Cummins NTC 400 14-liter turbocharged diesel
engine, developing 400 hp. It is mated to Caterpillar semi-automatic
gearbox with 16 forward and 2 reverse speeds. This tractor truck has
6x4 configuration. Its operation is limited to hard surface
roads only.
Variants
M915A1
improved production model. This tractor truck is fitted with Allison 5-speed automatic
transmission. It has a maximum road speed of 92 km/h. Otherwise it
is similar to the M915. A total of 2 511 of these truck were ordered
in 1981. Production began in 1983. Deliveries were completed in
1984.
M915A2 is a new model, produced by Freightliner. Despite similar
designation this truck is unrelated to original M915 and M915A1,
produced by AM General. This truck is
powered by Detroit Diesel DDE 12.7-liter engine, developing 400 hp.
It is mated to Allison 4-speed automatic transmission. Production
contract was awarded to Freightliner in 1988. First production
vehicles entered service with the US Army in 1990. Production of the
first batch was completed in 1992. Additional vehicles
were ordered in 1995. A total of 2 440 M915A2,
M916A1 and M917A1 trucks were produced by Freightliner.
M915A3
tractor truck. It is a further improved model, produced by
Freightliner. Production contract was awarded in 2000. Production of this truck began in 2001. It has a
number of improvements. It is powered by a slightly more powerful
Detroit Diesel Series 60 DDEC IV 12.7-liter diesel, developing 430
hp. Engine is mated to Allison 6-speed automatic transmission.
M915A4
refurbished and updated tractor truck. In 1997 the US Army announced
a requirement for modification kits to update original M915A0 and
possibly M915A1 trucks, that were produced in late 1970s and early
1980s.
Most of these trucks had reasonably low mileage and
had performed well over the years. Upgrades began in 1999. Some sources report that by 2004 a total of 3 650 modification kits
were acquired from Freightliner. Upgraded trucks were fitted with
reconditioned engines, completely new cabs, and a number of other
enhancements. The M915A4 designation has been applied to these updated
vehicles. Refurbished vehicles were delivered to the US Army, Army
Reserve and National Guard. Externally these resemble M915A2 or
M915A3 trucks due to externally similar cab. The US military was
able to refurbish and upgrade its older M915 trucks at about half of
the cost of a completely new truck.
M915A5
tractor truck produced by Daimler Trucks North America. It has a 6x4
configuration and is powered by 500 hp engine. Vehicle was specially
designed to operate in warzones such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The
cab on some trucks has an integrated armor. Furthermore protection
can be increased by add-on armor kit. This truck entered service in
2010 and replaces the older M915A1, A2 and A3 trucks.
M916 Light
Equipment Transporter (LET). It has a 6x6 configuration and is
intended for both road and cross-country use. Basically it can be
seen as a more capable version of the M915.
M917 dump
truck with 8x6 configuration. It is intended for both road and
cross-country use. It is fitted with a 10.7 m³ capacity dump body.
These trucks were developed for earthmoving and construction work.
M918
bituminous
distributor with 6x6 configuration. This truck is intended for road
and airfield construction. It uses the same engine, transmission,
transfer box and suspension as the M916.
M919
concrete mixer with 8x6 configuration. It is intended for
construction work, where large amounts of concrete are required. It
uses the same engine, transmission, transfer box and suspension as
the M916. The second axle is of the pusher type. It is raised when
not required.
M920
Medium Equipment Transporter (MET). It has 8x6 configuration. This truck can operate off-road. It
was used in conjunction with M172A1 or M870 semi-trailers. It uses
the same engine, transmission, transfer box and suspension as the
M916. The second axle is of the pusher type.
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