Mack Trucks has begun construction of a pair of prototype medium-duty vehicles with hybrid electric power for the next phase in the Medium Tactical Truck (MTT) program for use by Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children the US Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps’ initial development requirements for the MTT fleet focused on cargo variants consisting of 10-, 15- and 20-foot cargo bed configurations. That initial remit also specified hybrid-electric power and up to 30 kW of on-board power generation, which (to me) reads like a perfect opportunity for Mack to take its highly capable Mack MD Electric, add a compact, quiet-running 105 kW D5 ICE from Mack’s parent company, Volvo, in a ReVolt-style EREV setup, and roll out.
All that said, Mack Trucks and its military development branch, Mack Defense, are playing the MTT prototype’s specs close to the chest. That makes sense, since you don’t want the whole world knowing the specific range and performance of your military’s infrastructure – and make no mistake: the final MTT will play a huge role in that infrastructure.
“These prototypes represent the next generation of purpose-built, specialty vehicles for the Marine Corps,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “By leveraging our commercial vehicle technology expertise and adapting it for military applications, we’re delivering a highly capable platform that can perform in the most challenging terrains, while incorporating advanced safety features and hybrid propulsion systems that meet the Marine Corps’ rigorous mission requirements.”
The new family of vehicles will replace the Marine Corps’ Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement fleet (MTVR), which includes cargo, dump, wrecker, tractor and re-supply trucks supporting air-ground task force combat support missions.
The prototype trucks are expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, and set to be put through their paces early in 2026.
Electrek’s Take
Despite the GOP’s best efforts, the electrification of the US military is under way – and it makes perfect sense. The ability to generate fuel on the move with solar panels, scavenge it from found infrastructure, and operating with high performance in relative silence give EVs a tactical advantage that’s hard to beat. Add in a flex-fuel range-extender for when electrons are harder to come by and the big Mack MTT it seems like a winner to me.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Mack Trucks, USMC.
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