The United States has the largest military budget on the planet and is constantly improving its arsenal and capabilities. Sometimes this means developing new weapons and vehicles, but often the most effective solution is maintaining and upgrading current equipment. Certain military vehicles have withstood the test of time and remain in service decades after they were first introduced.
To determine the oldest U.S. military vehicles, 24/7 Wall St. referenced Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more used worldwide. Military vehicles are ranked according to the year each they entered service. All the vehicles on this list have entered service before 2001. Information on top speed, crew size, and what role the vehicle plays within the military also came from Military Factory. We independently verified that each of these vehicles was still in service.
The U.S. military uses a range of older vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems and more. These vehicles have been modified over the years to remain effective, often receiving improvements tailored to different conflicts. Many vehicles were upgraded with better armor to protect them against improvised explosive devices during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The M1 Abrams, in use since the 1980s, is the U.S military’s main battle tank and considered by many experts to be one of the best and most technologically advanced main battle tanks in the world. It first saw combat in the Gulf War in 1991, and the U.S. recently announced that it will send M1 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian military. The tank is now on its third version, the M1A2, and has seen significant modifications over the years. (These are the countries with the most tanks)
Most vehicles have received general upgrades like improved armor, and certain types of vehicles have received upgrades to improve their specialized capabilities.
For example, the M93 Fox, a reconnaissance vehicle, has been in use since 1990, but has been upgraded with improved chemical and radiation detection equipment and communication systems for reporting potential hazardous environments and threats. The M2 Bradley, an infantry fighting vehicle in use since 1981, has been upgraded with thermal imaging, gun turret optics, and remote fire control systems. (These are the U.S. military vehicles with the most powerful engines)
The M88 Hercules, in use since 1961, is a 70-ton battlefield recovery vehicle used to retrieve immobilized heavy military vehicles. It has been upgraded over the years with increased steering, electrical system, and increased engine horse power.Â
Click here to see America’s oldest land vehicles still in use by the military.
To determine the oldest U.S. military vehicles, 24/7 Wall St. referenced Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more used worldwide. Military vehicles are ranked according to the year each they entered service. All the vehicles on this list have entered service before 2001. Information on top speed, crew size, and what role the vehicle plays within the military also came from Military Factory. We independently verified that each of these vehicles was still in service.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
18. M915A5
> First entered service: 2000
> Role: Military tractor
> Top speed: 64.6 mph #10 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 2
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Source: Rawf8 / iStock via Getty Images
17. M1117 Guardian ASV
> First entered service: 1999
> Role: Armored security vehicle
> Top speed: 62.1 mph #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Crew size: 3
Source: viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles)
> First entered service: 1996
> Role: Military truck
> Top speed: 59.0 mph #17 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 1
Source: Public Domain / The U.S. National Archives / Picryl
15. M93 Fox
> First entered service: 1990
> Role: Reconnaissance vehicle
> Top speed: 64.6 mph #10 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
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Source: Public Domain / The U.S. National Archives / Picryl.com
14. Scorpion DPV (Desert Patrol Vehicle)
> First entered service: 1987
> Role: Lightweight all-terrain
> Top speed: 56.3 mph #18 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
13. M9 ACE (Armored Combat Earthmover)
> First entered service: 1986
> Role: Military bulldozer
> Top speed: 30.0 mph #30 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 1
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Source: Rockfinder / E+ via Getty Images
12. HMMWV (Humvee)
> First entered service: 1985
> Role: Multi-purpose wheeled vehicle
> Top speed: 65.2 mph #6 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Crew size: 1
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Source: Maikel de Vaan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. M270
> First entered service: 1983
> Role: Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
> Top speed: 39.8 mph #26 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
Source: tfoxfoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. LAV-25
> First entered service: 1983
> Role: Light armored vehicle (LAV)
> Top speed: 62.1 mph#12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Crew size: 3
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. M939 Truck
> First entered service: 1982
> Role: Military truck
> Top speed: 62.1 mph #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Crew size: 1
Source: upsidedowndog / iStock via Getty Images
8. M2 Bradley
> First entered service: 1981
> Role: Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)
> Top speed: 37.9 mph #28 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
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Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
7. MIM-104 Patriot
> First entered service: 1981
> Role: Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
> Top speed: 49.7 mph #21 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 12
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Source: Rockfinder / iStock via Getty Images
6. M1 Abrams
> First entered service: 1980
> Role: Main battle tank
> Top speed: 41.6 mph #24 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 4
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. AAV-7 (LVTP-7)
> First entered service: 1972
> Role: Amphibious assault vehicle (AAV)
> Top speed: 39.8 mph #26 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
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Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
4. M60 AVLB
> First entered service: 1967
> Role: Armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB)
> Top speed: 30.0 mph #30 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 2
Source: Jesse Stephens / iStock via Getty Images
3. M109 (Paladin)
> First entered service: 1963
> Role: Self-propelled artillery
> Top speed: 40.0 mph #25 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 4
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2. M88 Hercules
> First entered service: 1961
> Role: Armored recovery vehicle (ARV)
> Top speed: 24.9 mph#32 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 3
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Source: mtcurado / iStock via Getty Images
1. M113 APC
> First entered service: 1960
> Role: Armored personnel carrier
> Top speed: 37.9 mph #28 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Crew size: 2
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