Goodbye, US Army HUMVEE

Perhaps one of the most iconic representations of the US military, the HUMVEE, will no longer be a part of the army garages starting next year. According to an Army spokesman cited by ABC News, the military has placed a final order of 2,620 new HUMVEEs, after which it will switch to newer vehicles. The stop in orders for the HUMVEE is featured in the 2011 budget report.

"Feedback from our commanders overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq was that the Humvees were just not providing the desired level of protection for our soldiers," Col. Jimmie Cummings said. "The force protection is the number one thing that we think about with our soldiers."

"Humvees have served the military well for 25 years, and I will forcefully make the case that they have a role to play in the years to come," Rep. Joe Donnelly said, expressing at the same time his hopes that until the budget is approved, things may change.

The AM General plant in Mishawaka will have its hands full with the new order, with work on the vehicles expected to get well into 2011. To prepare for what will come after the contract with the Army will cease, AM General will begin building a handicapped-accessible cab, while at the same time gearing up to restart production of the H2, as soon as the sale of HUMMER to Sichuan Tengzhong takes shape.

In addition, Col. Cummings said the Army will need parts for the existing HUMVEEs for years to come. The 2011 budget includes $989 million for maintenance, parts and service.