Defense Media Network

Mack Defense Showcases M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT)

Mack Defense recently showcased the Mack® Granite®-based M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) at the Association of United States Army (AUSA) 2018 show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Mack Defense was awarded a $296 million contract in May 2018 to produce 683 HDTs for the U.S. Army

“The M917A3 is a great example of the capabilities Mack Defense has to develop solutions for military customers,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “Using the rugged Mack Granite as a foundation, we were able to engineer the M917A3 to meet the U.S. Army’s challenging applications.”

Based on the civilian Mack Granite model, Mack Defense optimized the M917A3 HDT to meet the current needs of the U.S. Army, while allowing for evolving requirements and future growth. Mack Defense engineers added heavier-duty rear axles and all-wheel drive, while increasing the suspension’s ride height to create a heavy dump truck capable of meeting the demanding payload and mobility requirements set by the U.S. Army HDT program.

Mack Defense HDT 2

The Mack Defense booth at AUSA 2018. Mack Defense photo

The M917A3’s cab armor was engineered by external partner experts to maintain all the comfort and driver-focused amenities of the commercial Granite model, while adding force protection to keep occupants safe in hostile environments.

Mack Defense is a member of AUSA, whose vision is to be the premier voice for America’s soldiers. AUSA is committed to building the best professional and representative association for the U.S. Army. More than 30,000 attendees visited AUSA and the 700 exhibitors representing 100 countries around the world.

Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is responsible for the sale of heavy-duty trucks to federal- and ministerial-level customers globally. For more information about Mack Defense, please visit www.mackdefense.com.

Mack Defense, LLC, is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs almost 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2017 the Volvo Group’s sales amounted to about $39 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. For more information, please visit www.volvogroup.com.