M-ATV vs JLTV: What is the main difference?
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It is indeed true that our military troops are well trained and better competent to handle any situation, but they become more powerful and capable when equipped with the best possible gears and machines.
The OSHKOSH M-ATV and JLTV are two such tactical vehicle families that greatly help our soldiers to handle almost any terrain with optimum proficiency.
While the purpose of these two vehicle lineups remains the same, there surely are some primary differences between them.
If you are interested in learning the similarities and differences between OSHKOSH M-ATV and JLTV, go on scanning through this whole article-
M-ATV vs. JLTV
Category | M-ATV | JLTV |
Type | MRAP-Mine Resistant Ambush Protected | Joint Light Tactical Vehicle |
Weight | Heavier | Lighter than M-ATV |
Suspension | TAK-4 independent suspension system | The TAK-4iTM intelligent independent suspension system |
Lineups | Family of five different vehicles | Family of four different vehicles |
Capacities | Carries up to eleven soldiers | Up to six soldiers |
Terrain compatibility | All-terrain compatible | All-terrain compatible |
Ground clearance | Average 16 inches of ground clearance | Around 20 inches of wheel travel |
Transporting | Somehow transportable | Better transportable |
Weight | 18 tons | 11 tons |
M-ATV has a larger family
M-ATV is a family of five different tactical vehicles that serve different purposes. From Special Forces to Utility purposes, M-ATV is always ready to serve on every occasion.
The five lineups of M-ATV are-
- M-ATV special forces
- M-ATV assault
- M-ATV Engineer
- M-ATV Command
- M-ATV Utility
JLTV variants
JLTV includes four different vehicle lineups in its family. The primary purpose of JLTV vehicles is to aid our soldiers to get to the shore in the least possible time.
The four vehicles from the JLTV family are-
- General Purpose (GP)
- Heavy-Gun Carrier (HGC)
- Utility (UTL)
- Close Combat Weapons Carrier (CCWC)
M-ATVs are ambush-protected, whereas JLTVs will take you anywhere
How about getting trapped in an ambush? As a patriotic American, you will never want our troops to get caught in an ambush. Well, they are safe as long as our soldiers are staying inside of an M-ATV.
With maximum heat-resistance capacity and a heavy-duty safety construction, M-ATVs can keep our soldiers safe from falling into the trap of an ambush.
On the other hand, when you require better speed with higher protection, JLTVs are the most ideal preference. These vehicles are almost 70% faster than a conventional utility vehicles. Therefore, handling almost any terrain with sheer speed will be much more attainable when you have a JLTV vehicle in your repertoire.
JLTVs are better transportable than M-ATV
You probably know that JLTVs are the light-duty alternatives to the M-ATVs. One of the main reasons we are saying so is that JLTVs are more adjustable.
Therefore, these vehicles are better transportable by air, land, and sea. At the same time, the lighter weight pattern also greatly helps in achieving high-end transportation capabilities.
On the other hand, M-ATVs are also portable, but they tend to be a little heavier than JLTVs. Therefore, they probably would require better storage and space compared to JLTVs.
The average weight of MRAP is around 18 tons, whereas JLTVs are lighter with only 11 tons.
M-ATVs will ensure better payloads than JLTV
With the capacity of holding up to 11 passengers, M-ATVs seem to be more promising when it comes to carrying more payloads.
The M-ATV utility lineup can withstand up to 7000 lbs of payload. On the other hand, the JLTV combat-supported two-passenger vehicle can withstand up to 5100 lbs of payload.
M-ATV payloads
M-ATV lineups | Payloads |
M-ATV Special Forces | 5,500 lbs |
M-ATV Assault | 4,400 lbs |
M-ATV Engineer | 4,400 lbs |
M-ATV Command | 4,400 lbs |
M-ATV Utility | 7,000 lbs |
JLTV payloads
JLTV type | Payloads |
Combat tactical vehicles (four passengers) | 3,500 lbs |
Combat Supported vehicles (two passengers) | 5,100 lbs |
The enhanced range surely serves the military preferences
Both M-ATV and JLTV can ensure an average of 400 operational miles, allowing our troops to get back to the camp with optimum safety.
One of the main reasons why the U.S Military has replaced Humvee is that these vehicles are better capable of ensuring longer range with better safety.
The huge size of MRAP gives it low mobility compared to JLTV
When it comes to mobility and speed, the JLTV seems to bring forth more dynamicity compared to M-ATV.
Where the MRAP can go around 30 miles per hour, the JLTV lineups have the potent capacity to touch up to 70 miles per hour.
Therefore, M-ATVs are comparatively far slower than JLTVs.
The JLTV can go through 60 inches of water.
Another benefit our soldiers get from JLTVs is that these vehicles can go through up to 60 inches of water.
JLTVs tend to lift up the vehicle when you drive in deep water.
On the other hand, the heavier weight of M-ATVs may not allow you to drive in water with optimum proficiency.
Therefore, JLTVs kind of help the soldiers to operate in those areas prone to flooding.
JLTVs capabilities are far ahead compared to M-ATVs
When you are talking about capabilities, you have to take every little aspect into considerations. That is when we have to give the OSHKOSH JLTVs a bit higher point compared to the M-ATVs.
From high-end mobility to giving our soldiers the fastest drivability, JLTVs always come in handy to give every troop high-end efficiency.
Indeed M-ATVs carry more soldiers and do the things that this vehicle is here to do, but the heavier weight and less mobility make it less competitive in the competition.
Final summary
You can kind of compare OSHKOSH M-ATV and JLTV with SHERP ATV because of their high-end mobility and terrain controllable features. In reality, these tactical vehicles will remain far ahead of SHERP. With a better weapon combat system and highly superior construction, these machines are actually far more superior to the other conventional off-road vehicles. Even if you do not have the amount to own such one vehicle, learning about these vehicles should always intrigue an off-road enthusiast.
