Armoured engineering vehicles can perform tasks such as opening and maintaining battlefield and removing obstacles under fire and forming military fortifications thanks to their armour protection. These aspects make the platforms one of the most important components of the battlefield.
In addition to permanent and temporary deployments, the USA, which often appears in the battlefield, acquires additional armoured engineering vehicles. Under the comprehensive agreement signed with the company JCB; the U.S. Army (US Army) and the U.S. Marine Corps (United States Marine Corps / USMC) will receive 400 HMEE (High Mobility Engineer Excavators) in next eight years. The cost of the contract to a Washington is USD 269.25 million.
HMEE, which is stated to have a lifespan of approximately 25 years, was developed for tasks such as cleaning roads, the establishment of power lines, forming fortifications in front lines. The platform, which is driven by 200 hp Cummins QSB 6.7 turbocharged diesel engine suitable for the use of military fuels such as F34 and JP8, has 12,000 kilograms combat weight in the standard configuration. HMEE, which protects the crew against small arms ammunition and splinters in its basic equipment, can be equipped with such as cage and additional appliqué armour, thermal imager, shock-absorbing seat and countermeasure system. The platform, which operates with two crew members, is equipped to be able to handle single personnel when necessary. Thanks to its low cabin profile, HMEE can be transported by cargo aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules.
