Last week, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) led over 20 colleagues in urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to bolster support for the U.S. military’s Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) modernization strategy.
In a letter to the subcommittee’s Chairman, Ken Calvert (CA-41), and Ranking Member, Betty McCollum (MN-04), lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for sustained investment in two key platforms that comprise the LTV fleet: the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). These vehicles remain the backbone of mobility and operational effectiveness for both the Active and Reserve Components of the U.S. Army, as well as the Marine Corps.
“The HMMWV has served the U.S. military with distinction since 1985 and continues to be essential to mission readiness,” the letter states. “However, many of the HMMWVs in the National Guard and Reserve components are outdated—some even older than the soldiers operating them.”
Recent data shows the Army will require more than 105,000 Light Tactical Vehicles through 2050, including approximately 56,754 modernized HMMWVs beyond the planned 49,099 JLTVs. The letter warns that without a consistent production rate of 2,500 new modernized HMMWVs annually, readiness and safety across the force will be compromised.
The JLTV A2, which is now in production, offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, including improved mobility, survivability, and advanced technology. Ensuring that both platforms receive balanced and adequate funding is critical for timely fielding and mission success.
The letter also highlights the broader economic and industrial importance of the LTV program. AM General, the primary manufacturer of the HMMWV and JLTV platforms, employs over 1,100 Americans at facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, with a supplier base that spans 43 states. Lawmakers cautioned that insufficient funding could threaten the defense industrial base and delay vehicle delivery due to the lengthy process required to qualify new suppliers.
“Your leadership is critical to ensure the Army and Marine Corps Light Tactical Vehicle strategy is properly resourced in fiscal year 2026,” the letter concludes. “This investment is not only vital for military readiness, but also for sustaining a robust and capable American industrial base.”
Read the full letter here.
Rep. Yakym was joined by Reps. Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), John James (MI-10), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Mike Turner (OH-10), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Tony Wied (WI-08), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Andre Carson (IN-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05).
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