High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE)

The High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE) program, as outlined in Line Item 7495R05901 of the Army's FY 2026 budget request, is a procurement initiative under the Other Procurement, Army (OPA) appropriation. The primary objective of this program is to provide the Army's active and reserve components with advanced, self-deployable engineer vehicles capable of supporting a wide range of construction and mobility operations. The HMEE is essential for enhancing force mobility, maneuverability, and sustainability, particularly in support of homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military assistance to civil authorities.

The HMEE-I and HMEE-IV variants are central to this procurement effort. The HMEE-I is the legacy configuration, no longer in production, while the HMEE-IV incorporates Electrical Over Hydraulic (EOH) upgrades through an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP). This upgrade enables remote and semi-autonomous operations, increasing both operational flexibility and crew survivability.

The HMEE-IV maintains the same high-speed travel capability as its predecessor, allowing it to keep pace with current and future combat systems and rapidly respond to mission requirements across the operational environment.

The HMEE-III is another key component of the program, representing a Backhoe Loader (BHL) that is a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) platform with minor military modifications. The BHL is designed to execute general construction missions such as road and airfield construction, trail and bridge improvement, and facility sustainment. It can be equipped with a Crew Protection Kit (CPK) for contingency operations, providing additional armor protection.

The BHL is capable of being transported by various military aircraft and truck/trailer combinations, ensuring flexibility in deployment and support to both engineer and non-engineer Army units.

The program's goals are closely aligned with statutory requirements under section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 110-181), which mandates the provision of such equipment for use in homeland defense, disaster relief, and civil support missions. The HMEE is classified as a Critical Dual Use (CDU) system, meaning it is vital for both military operations and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) tasks, such as disaster response and infrastructure repair following natural or man-made emergencies.

The procurement strategy is focused on equipping Airborne, Construction, and Combat Engineer units with these vehicles to enable light earthmoving, excavation, and loading operations throughout the area of operations. The HMEE's ability to accept a CPK and be air-dropped from a C-17 aircraft further enhances its utility for rapid deployment and force projection, especially for Airborne units and Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs).

In FY 2025, the HMEE program is being consolidated into the broader construction equipment program line as part of an OPA Budget Line Consolidation. This transition is intended to streamline procurement and management of construction equipment across the Army, ensuring continued modernization and sustainment of essential engineer capabilities.

The FY 2026 budget request includes funding for procurement quantities distributed among the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve, reflecting the joint and total force nature of the requirement.