Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles

The Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) program, under Army Program Element PE 0604622A, is designed to support the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of heavy tactical vehicles that fulfill critical logistics and operational roles for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The overarching goal is to modernize and enhance the Army's fleet of heavy trucks and trailers, which are essential for transporting water, ammunition, equipment, and general cargo across diverse terrains and operational environments. The program includes system development and demonstration activities for vehicles such as the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, Palletized Load System, Heavy Equipment Transporter System, Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System, and associated trailers and recovery systems.

The budget line previously supported initiatives such as Predictive Logistics development and sustainment improvement processes, but for FY 2025 and FY 2026, funds have been reallocated to the Common Tactical Truck project. Past objectives included transitioning the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet from time-based or condition-based maintenance to predictive maintenance, leveraging vehicle sensor data for fleet health assessment and lifecycle cost reporting. These efforts were managed by the U.S. Army Capabilities Development Command and vehicle OEMs, with a focus on integrating commercial technologies for military use.

The Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program is a major modernization effort aimed at replacing legacy vehicles such as the M915 Line Haul Tractor, Palletized Load System, and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. The CTT leverages mature commercial technologies, including Predictive Logistics, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and autonomy-ready features, to reduce procurement costs and enhance operational capability. FY 2026 funding supports the development of the Autonomy Interoperability Profile, procurement and integration of autonomy kits, exportable power and energy studies, mobility assessments, and program management activities. The acquisition strategy involves competitive rapid prototyping through Other Transaction Agreements with multiple vendors, followed by operational demonstrations to inform the Capability Development Document and transition to production.

The Leader/Follower funding line supports the Autonomous Transport Vehicle-System initiative, which equips tactical wheeled vehicles with scalable autonomous driving capabilities. The objective is to provide convoy commanders with flexibility across six levels of automated driving, from fully manual to fully autonomous, thereby increasing operational efficiency and reducing soldier exposure to threats. FY 2026 funding is allocated for Phase 3 vendor awards, prototype builds for First Unit Issued, operational demonstrations, acquisition and integration of M-Code hardware/software, cybersecurity testing, and program support. The acquisition approach utilizes a three-phase competitive process to select and refine contractor solutions, culminating in operational evaluation at the Army Transportation Company level.

Across all lines, the program supports periodic upgrades to survivability and crew protection, as outlined in the Long Term Protection Strategy, and includes initiatives for Arctic operations and demand reduction. The FHTV program also ensures readiness for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, as required by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Funding adjustments for FY 2026 reflect increased requirements for autonomy development, interoperability studies, and workforce optimization in line with current administration policies.

Key objectives for FY 2026 include advancing the integration of autonomous technologies, improving predictive maintenance capabilities, enhancing vehicle power and mobility, and supporting rapid prototyping and operational testing. The program's acquisition strategies emphasize leveraging commercial best practices, competitive prototyping, and operational feedback to inform future production decisions. Coordination among Army agencies, contractors, and research centers ensures that the FHTV program remains aligned with evolving operational requirements and technological advancements.