# Identify this military vehicle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 13, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093 "2004-02-13T19:58:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/1 "2004-02-13T19:58:25Z")
From my office window I can see a busy stretch of train tracks. About once a week, a train carrying military equipment rolls by. Usually there are lots of Humvees, tanker trucks, and what looks like the classic deuce and a half. There are also low, boxy, eight-wheeled vehicles that appear to be a common platform for a variety of uses. Can anyone identify these mystery trucks for me? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/2 "2004-02-13T20:13:34Z")
The [Stryker](http://www.army.mil/features/stryker/default.htm), perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/3 "2004-02-13T20:32:05Z")
No, these appear to be cargo or support vehicles, as they are not any more armored than a Humvee. The wheels are in two groups of four–one front and the other aft. They’re about twice as long as a Humvee, and the cabin is out in front of the front wheels. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/4 "2004-02-13T20:43:03Z")
Is this it? [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/hmett.htm](http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/hmett.htm) Pictures are near the bottom ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/5 "2004-02-13T20:45:04Z")
It sounds like it might be an M-977 fuel truck as seen [here](http://www.1-87vehicles.org/photo88/military_tanker.php) in breathtaking 1/82 scale. Is that it? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/6 "2004-02-13T22:27:15Z")
Some kind of FMTV?? [http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/vehicles/gallery.html](http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/vehicles/gallery.html) ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/7 "2004-02-13T23:50:52Z")
It might be a [k-loader](http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/docs/980213a.jpg) used to load aircraft. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/8 "2004-02-13T23:55:16Z")
I second **Ravenman** ’s guess of a HEMTT. Note that **RadioWave** ’s guess is also a HEMTT (just the fuel tank variant) Brian ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/9 "2004-02-14T00:13:01Z")
I know what **Vibrotronica’s** talking about. They pass by my house too. If it’s what I’m thinking about, the HEMTT is the most likely. -Lil ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-military-vehicle/229093/10 "2004-02-14T17:16:46Z")
Yes, it is the HEMTT. Thank you!