Photo: Mack
A version of the Mack Granite-based M917A3 heavy dump truck was shown at an Army event last fall.
A version of the Mack Granite-based M917A3 heavy dump truck was shown at an Army event last fall.
A version of the Mack Granite-based M917A3 heavy dump truck was shown at an Army event last fall.
A version of the Mack Granite-based M917A3 heavy dump truck was shown at an Army event last fall.
A version of the Mack Granite-based M917A3 heavy dump truck was shown at an Army event last fall.

Mack Defense to showcase armored heavy dump truck for U.S. Army

May 23, 2019
Mack Defense, a subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is displaying the M917A3 heavy duty dump trucks with an armored cab for the first time in public.

Mack Defense, a subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is displaying the M917A3 heavy dump trucks with an armored cab for the first time in public at the annual Showcase for Commerce. The event takes place May 29-31 in Johnstown, PA. 

The third-generation heavy-duty dump truck is scheduled for rollout over the next few years to active U.S. Army and National Guard units currently equipped with older trucks. It will work on important combat support missions overseas, as well as domestic duty in response to natural disasters.

“We are excited to share Mack Defense’s new M917A3 HDT to this important audience,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “The armored cab is just one of several survivability and capability upgrades on the M917A3 HDT.”

For more than 100 years, dump trucks have been integral to supporting the evolving mission of U.S. Army personnel. The implementation of the new M917A3 HDT brings critical force modernization to the Army with reduced costs for parts and maintenance to meet the Army's changing mission.

Also during May, Mack Defense will showcase the ongoing delivery of its medium support vehicle system (MSVS) standard military pattern (SMP) trucks at the Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries trade show in Ottawa. 

Through the MSVS program, Mack is contracted to deliver more than 1,500 8x8 trucks, 161 armored protection systems and more than 300 trailers to the SMP fleet operating in Canada and throughout the world. The trucks include multiple variants such as cargo, material-handling cranes, load-handling systems, gun tractor and mobile repair trucks.

About the Author

Neil Abt

Neil Abt, editorial director at Fleet Owner, is a veteran journalist with over 20 years of reporting experience, including 15 years spent covering the trucking industry. A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., he began his career covering sports for The Washington Post newspaper, followed by a position in the newsroom of America Online (AOL) and then both reporting and leadership roles at Transport Topics. Abt is based out of Portland, Oregon.

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