The FMTV is based on an Austrian truck, the Steyr 12M18, but considerably re-engineered to be available as the 4x4 2.5-tone Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) and the 6x6 5-tone Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). Both models have over 90 percent of components in common such as the cab, engine, drive train, tires, wheels, front suspension, axles, etc, and involve many commercial components. There was also an 8x8 heavy tactical vehicle, however only a couple of its prototypes were built and it never reached mass production. The basic LMTV is the M1078 cargo carrier while the 6x6 baseline model is the M1083.

The cab accommodates a driver and two passengers. Experience in Iraq led to the development of an armored cab, known as a Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC). Two man team can remove and replace a standard cab with an armored cab in the field within 4 hours. The armored cab provides protection for the occupants against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and mine blasts. These were widely used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later a new Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) armored cab appeared. It can adapt various armor levels, depending on the threat.

The MTV family of 6x6 military trucks is powered by Caterpillar 3115 ATAAC 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine, developing 290 hp. It is the same engine as on the M1078 4x4 truck, but tuned differently to develop more power. It was a high efficiency and low emission engine. Over time improved engines were fitted on MTV series trucks, including Caterpillar 3116, -3126 and Caterpillar C7. The engine is coupled with a fully automatic transmission. A central tire pressure system is fitted as standard.

Some versions are fitted with load handling cranes and others have recovery winches. It is also produced as bare chassis for special bodies to be added. A machine gun mounting is provided.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US M1083 Medium Tactical Vehicle in a desert camouflage pattern. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: February 2023

Historical Account: "Recon by Fire" - During the late 1980s, the US Army was looking for a new military truck family. The main emphasis was stressed on reliability, low unit and running costs, and long term efficiency. There was a grueling series of selection trials which took place over a period of many months. Eventually an Austrian Steyr design was selected as a winner. 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. First production vehicles were fielded by the US Army in 1996. Eventually all ageing medium trucks in the Army's inventory were replaced by this modern and efficient design. Since 2012, these trucks are produced by Oshkosh Corporation. These trucks were offered for export. In 2022, a small number of these trucks were delivered to Ukraine in order to defend against the Russian invasion.