How the US Military’s New Armored Transport Vehicle Will Save Lives
Developed by Oshkosh Defense, the JLTV offers a new generation of tactical mobility armored vehicles paired with improved protection.
The death of Airman Trinity Reinhart, 19, last September, has refocused attention on replacing the Humvee with the forthcoming Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Reinhart, who was assigned to the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, lost her life when the up-armored Humvee she was traveling in flipped on a dirt road near Grover, Colorado.
Reinhart, who was not wearing her seatbelt at the time, was ejected when the Humvee rolled. Her tragic death has shone a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of the Humvee and heightened the urgency with which the armed services pivot to the Humvee’s replacement, the JLTV.
The JLTV Is Much Safer to Operate than the Humvee
The JLTV is the Pentagon’s solution for the Humvee, which has long been outdated. Designed for the Cold War and the corresponding conventional battlefield scenarios, the Humvee has proven itself inadequate in the asymmetric warfare of the 21st century, where troops often face threats such as IEDs and ambushes.
Although up-armoring the Humvee helped increase the vehicle’s survivability in the short term, the modifications compromised the Humvee’s mobility, reliability, and structural balance, which has contributed to a slew of accidental deaths, like that of Airman Reinhart.
Developed by Oshkosh Defense, the JLTV offers a new generation of tactical mobility paired with improved protection. The design provides the blast resistance of a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, combined with the agility and transportability of the original Humvee. For the sake of logistical ease, the JLTV has been configured to fit within a C-130 aircraft, a CH-47 helicopter, and various rail or sea transport systems.
The JLTV improves upon the Humvee in multiple ways, including an updated suspension system, a powerful turbo-diesel engine, and onboard diagnostics for easier maintenance and operational readiness. Crews will also appreciate the JLTV, as the new vehicle has been outfitted with enhanced visibility, digital instrumentation, and improved ergonomics, all of which mark significant improvements over the Humvee.
Procurement of the JLTV Is Already Underway
The JLTV design was selected in 2015, and since then, the JLTV has been replacing Humvees for the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Congress approved full-rate JLTV production in 2019, and within two years, 10,000 units had already been delivered. Initial procurement goals were: 49,000 for the Army; between 5,500 and 15,000 for the USMC; and 3,230 for the Air Force.
However, like any weapons development program, the JLTV program has had its challenges. Pentagon audits have flagged concerns regarding the vehicle’s reliability, crew visibility, and long-term maintenance.
In May 2025, the Army announced a pause in JLTV procurement, citing budgetary concerns and strategic realignment. However, the USMC and Air Force are continuing with their planned procurement schedules.
The death of Arman Reinhart served as a tragic reminder of the need to phase out the outdated and dangerously modified Humvee platform. Safer and more capable platforms, like the JLTV, with superior protection, agility, and technology, should save lives, not only in combat environments, but in the mundane and ordinary rhythms of domestic military service. Indeed, the JLTV represents a necessary evolution in the military vehicle.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Marinha do Brasil.
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