Mack Defense has selected Hutchinson Industries Inc. as the provider of complete wheel assemblies, beadlocks and thermal hub covers for the Mack Defense M917A3 heavy dump truck (HDT). Wheeled military vehicles like the M917A3 require specialized protection to help maintain mobility in harsh operating environments. The five vehicles will undergo 40 weeks of production verification testing at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen test center in Maryland. Founded in 1853, Hutchinson Industries Inc. is one of the world’s oldest rubber product manufacturers and is the premier manufacturer of engineered mobility solutions for wheeled and tracked military, security, off-road, commercial and industrial vehicles.
“We are thrilled to provide products that meet the demanding payload and mobility requirements set by the U.S. Army HDT program. It is our mission, and an honor, to develop products and provide the support that allows our soldiers to complete the mission and return safely to base.” said Andy Barker, Hutchinson CEO. Hutchinson representatives were on hand to celebrate the official handover of the first five Mack Defense M917A3 HDTs to the U.S. Army during a ceremony at the Mack Customer Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2019.
The U.S. Army awarded Mack Defense a $296 million contract in May 2018 to produce up to 683 M917A3 HDTs. The Mack Defense M917A3 HDT is based on the civilian Mack® Granite® model, one of the top-selling construction trucks in North America. To meet the demanding needs of the U.S. Army, Mack Defense added heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other features. The new HDTs will help increase the U.S. Army’s operational effectiveness and readiness, while supporting mobility, counter-mobility, survivability and sustainment operations for the Joint Force.
Dedicated to durability, reliability and meeting the needs of customers, Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack® trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks, diesel engines and transmissions sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality, ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems and OHSAS 18001 standard for health and safety management systems. Mack Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines.
