The Army is bidding farewell to one of its most iconic vehicles—the Humvee—after nearly 40 years of service. In its place, the military is embracing the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a lighter, faster, and more versatile machine designed to meet the demands of the battlefields of tomorrow. The shift reflects a profound transformation in military strategy, moving away from Cold War-era armor and toward modern warfare’s emphasis on agility, speed, and technological integration.
For decades, the Humvee symbolized American military power, evolving from the rugged Jeep of World War II into a multi-purpose workhorse. First deployed in 1985, the Humvee saw extensive use across every major U.S. combat theater, with the Pentagon purchasing more than 300,000 units. Its versatility included variations capable of anti-tank warfare. But its flaws became painfully evident during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its flat aluminum bottom made it vulnerable to improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which quickly became the leading cause of U.S. troop casualties.
In response, the Pentagon prioritized the development of the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which featured a V-shaped hull to deflect explosive blasts. Under Defense Secretary Robert Gates, MRAPs saved countless lives, though they came with significant downsides. Their weight and size reduced mobility, and even the later Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), despite being more agile, still couldn’t be easily deployed to remote battlefields.
Enter the Infantry Squad Vehicle—a tactical pivot from armor to speed. Designed from the chassis of a Chevrolet Colorado pickup, the ISV is about 20% military-customized, with the rest made from commercially available parts. This makes repairs cheaper and easier, anywhere in the world. With seating for up to nine soldiers, the ISV has no doors or roof, emphasizing rapid deployment over protection.
This strategic shift aligns with evolving threats. According to Alex Miller, the Army’s technical adviser on modernization, today’s battlefields—possibly against adversaries like China—require mobility to evade drone strikes and other lethal technologies. “The longer you sit and the slower you are, the easier it is to kill you,” Miller said, underscoring the Army’s move toward vehicles that can quickly transport troops near conflict zones, then retreat swiftly.
Some skepticism remains. Defense experts like Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution warn against overly optimistic bets on futuristic systems. He recalls the Army’s failed Future Combat Systems initiative, which aimed to replace traditional tanks and fighting vehicles with high-tech alternatives but collapsed under technological limitations. “Worked great on PowerPoint,” he quipped. “But the tech wasn’t there then, and it still isn’t.”
Despite doubts, soldier feedback has been encouraging. The 101st Airborne Division was among the first to test the ISVs, and their reports highlight improved visibility, drivability, and fuel efficiency. The ISV’s lightweight design allows Black Hawk helicopters to sling-load them into combat zones, while Chinooks can carry two internally—a logistical win over the bulkier Humvee.
Beyond combat, the ISV proved its value in humanitarian missions. During Hurricane Helene’s devastation, Lt. Col. Jonathan Nielsen led recovery efforts in North Carolina using the ISVs, which navigated flooded and broken roads with ease. The vehicle’s nimbleness also allowed better maneuverability through narrow city streets—a feature the Humvee often lacked.
Whether the ISV will become as iconic as its predecessors remains to be seen. But for now, it represents the Army’s best estimate of what future warfare demands: not heavy armor, but quick reflexes, commercial adaptability, and smart deployment. If the nature of war changes again, the Army seems ready to adjust its playbook. Or, as one official put it bluntly, “We’ll buy something else.”
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