Medium Tactical Vehicle

The Medium Tactical Vehicle program, as outlined in DoD Budget Line Item 822230, is a procurement initiative managed by the Air Force under Appropriation 3080F: Other Procurement, Air Force. The program's primary goal is to acquire a range of medium tactical vehicles to support installation and unit mission requirements for Air Force personnel. These vehicles are essential for line haul, mobility, resupply, maintenance, recovery, construction, and civil engineering support across various Air Force units.

The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) encompasses a broad class of military specification vehicles, including cargo trucks, wreckers, dump trucks, tractors, mobilizers, and medium tactical trailers. These vehicles are designed to operate in austere and adverse terrain and can be equipped with armor and winch systems to meet specific operational needs. The FMTV fleet supports Combat Communication Units, Air Support Operation Squadrons (ASOS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and other direct mission support units throughout the Air Force.

The M1297 Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) 1.1 is a specialized component of this line item. The GMV is a fast, lightweight, and highly mobile all-terrain combat vehicle developed to address a ground mobility capability gap identified by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). It is transportable by CH-47, CV-22, and C-130 aircraft and is capable of low-velocity airdrop. The GMV can carry up to nine personnel and is designed for rapid deployment, with the ability to be combat-ready within a minute of exiting the aircraft. It features an adaptable communications suite, advanced chassis and suspension, and a main weapon turret capable of 360-degree firepower protection. This vehicle is primarily used by Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) and Special Operations Forces.

The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) is another key element of the Medium Tactical Vehicle program. The ISV provides mobility for a nine-person squad with associated equipment, enabling movement around the close battle area. It is a lightweight, high-mobility platform that is transportable via vertical lift and low-velocity air drop. The ISV enhances Airmen's mobility for dispersed wide-area security, increases speed and reach, reduces physical burden, supports battery charging, and improves mission command. It is primarily utilized by Special Operations Forces, Tactical Air Control Party, and Security Forces.

For FY 2026, the budget request will procure approximately 24 vehicles, with quantities determined by the 441 Vehicle Support Chain Operations Squadron (VSCOS) in accordance with AFI 24-302, Vehicle Management. The procurement model calculates requirements based on vehicle end-of-life projections, cumulative sustainment costs, and mission priority, resulting in annual variations in quantities. The vehicles support Active Duty, Air Force Reserve Center (AFRC), Air National Guard (ANG), Rapid Airfield Damage Repair (RADR), Regional Base Cluster Prepositioning Kits (RBCP) for PACOM, and other emerging initiatives.

Unit costs for these vehicles are subject to change due to factors such as buy quantities, location (CONUS/OCONUS), inflation, and additional mission-specific requirements. Options may include specialized trailer towing packages, export engines, and attachments for construction vehicles. Recent years have seen increases in unit costs for M Series Trucks, Trailers, Water Trailers, ISO Container Trailers, and Dolly Sets, with the Army anticipating further price increases under a new contract extension. These cost escalations are attributed to inflation and rising material and labor costs, as cited by the primary contractor.

The program also supports compliance with the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) initiative, ensuring that procurement activities align with Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D requirements for full financial auditability. Funding for this line item is distributed across several Program Elements (PEs), including 0502831F, 0507831F, 0702831F, and 0202834F, reflecting its integration into broader Air Force vehicular and mission support strategies.