The M917A3 is a heavy dump truck designed, developed, and manufactured by Mack Defense of the United States. The heavy-duty hauler is based in the civilian/industry market Mack "Granite" series with specific modifications enacted to suit United States Army requirements for a versatile, durable military player. M917A0 marks the original dump trucks of 1979 while the M917A1 designation was used for a succeeding entry introduced in 1989 and was, itself, followed by the M917A2 of 2001.
M917A3 trucks began service in the U.S. Army inventory in 2019.
The truck sees a conventional design layout that includes side-by-side seating for two in the cab (standard or armored). The cab is set over and aft of the hood / engine housing at the bow. The rear of the chassis is taken up by the powered dump component, a 17-footlong Crysteel dump body with 18 to 22 yard capacity and a 50" integrated cab protector (dumping at a 50-degree angle). The vehicle is suspended (Primaxx suspension system) atop an eight-wheeled arrangement (6x6 also available) which has a steerable front axle and three axles under the dump section. Ground clearance is excellent and road tires are large to facilitate cross-country travel.
The truck can haul away loads of 27 tons, benefitting from no fewer than eight load-bearing cross members along the chassis, and, itself, be airlifted to where it needs to be. Power is from a Mack 13L MP8 440 series 440hp diesel-fueled engine delivering 1,660lb-ft with variable driver-controlled engine braking. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) reaches 94,500lb with the 8x8 wheel configuration. The powerpack is mated to an Allison 4500 Gen5 transmission system.
Variants of the base dump design include a "wrecker", dedicated troop carrier, tanker, Heavy Equipment Truck (HET), and crane truck (listing between 30 and 60 tons).
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the M917A3 Multi-Role Heavy Military Truck.
1 x Mack 13L MP8 440 series diesel-fueled engine developing 440 horsepower to conventional all-wheeled 6x6 or 8x8 arrangement. Installed Power
65 mph 105 kph Road Speed
435 miles 700 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the M917A3 Multi-Role Heavy Military Truck.
1 (MANNED) Crew
29.2 ft 8.9 meters O/A Length
9.7 ft 2.95 meters O/A Width
10.7 ft 3.25 meters O/A Height
39,683 lb 18,000 kg | 19.8 tons Weight
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Mack Defense M917A3 family line.
M917A3 - Base Series Designation.
Wrecker - Modified wrecker vehicle with appropriate field equipment over-flatbed.
Troop Carrier - Dedicated soft-top troop carrier variant.
Tanker - Water / fuel tanker truck form.
Heavy Equipment Truck (HET) - Very-heavy loads mover vehicle.
Crane - Mobile over-flatbed crane system.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Mack Defense M917A3. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 5,000 Units Contractor(s): Mack Defense - United States
[ United States ]
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Image from official Mack Defense marketing materials.
Design Qualities Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.
UTILITY
Recognition Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.
Going Further... The Mack Defense M917A3 Multi-Role Heavy Military Truck appears in the following collections:
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