M915 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 50,000 GVWR 6X4
The M915 Line-Haul Tractor (Truck, Tractor, 14-ton, 6x4) is used primarily in active and reserve component transportation units for the rapid, efficient transport of bulk supplies from ocean ports to division support areas within a theater of operation. It was type classified Std. A in 1979.
AM General produced M915-series variants M915 and M915A1, then Freightliner produced the M915A2 through M915A5, based upon Freightliner's commercial FLD120 tractors. Model differences include:
- M915, M915A1: Delivered 1978-1982 based on AM General tactical trucks.
- M915A2: Automatic brake system (ABS) equipped, delivered 1990.
- M915A3: Electronically controlled Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine, Allison World transmission, Freightliner's "TufTrac" off-road suspension, a/c, collision warning system, delivered 2000.
- M915A4: Retrofitted M915/M915A1 to include M915A3 design features.
- M915A5: Armored upgrade of the M915A3.
To retrofit a target truck to the M915A4 standard, the original engine and rear axle bogies are salvaged and then installed in a new production "glider kit" cab and chassis assembly. The M915A4 costs only about 2/3 the cost of a new vehicle. The U.S. Army contracted with Freightliner to retrofit 1,857 M915s and an additional 2,200 M915A1s may be upgraded.
In September 2009, Freightliner, as a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA), was awarded a contract to produce 1,780 M915A5 6x4 line haul tractors, a block upgrade of the M915A3 model. The major change in the M915A5 is the inclusion of armor protection, using the Army A-kit and B-Kit design strategy. DTNA partnered with BAE Systems to develop and integrate an armor package design into the M915A5 line haul tractor. BAE will provide DTNA with an A-Kit for each M915A5 produced on the military production line in Portland, OR. BAE will also produce B-Kits for trucks as requested from the U.S. Army to meet combat requirements. In addition to enhanced armor, the M915A5 features a larger cab to store combat gear, personal weapons and ammunition. The larger cab, combined with an upgraded electrical system, also provides the space and power for the robust C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) packages now utilized on line haul trucks in combat.
The M915A5 deliveries were planned for late 2009 and 2010.
The M915 Line-Haul Tractor is used with trailers:
- M871 semitrailer (flatbed, 22.5 tons)
- M872 semitrailer (flatbed, 34 tons)
- M1062 semitrailer (7,500-gallon tanker)
The M915 had full nomenclature Truck, Tractor: 14-Ton, Line Haul, 6x4 50,000 GVW. It had a 2 1/2 inch kingpin (M915) and is transportable by highway, rail, marine, and air modes worldwide.
Table of Variants of the M915 Line Haul Tractor
| Model | NSN | Engine | Transmission | GVWR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M915 | 2320-01-028-4395 | Cummins Model NTC-400 400 bhp@2100rpm Big Cam I | Caterpillar 7155 Semi-automatic 16fwd, 2rev | 50,000 lbs |
| M915A1 | 2320-01-125-2640 | Cummins Big Cam II | Allison HT-750 CRD | 50,000 lbs |
| M915A2 | 2320-01-272-5029 | Detroit Diesel Series 60 430hp, 1450 lb-ft torque | Allison HD4560P 6 speed automatic | 52,000 lbs |
| M915A3 | 2320-01-432-4847 | Detroit Diesel S60 | Allison HD4560P | 52,000 lbs |
| M915A4 | 2520-01-458-1207 | M915 or M915A1 engine | Allison HD4560P | 52,000 lbs |
| M915A5 | 2320-01-552-2922 | Detroit Diesel S60 500hp, 1650 lb-ft torque | Allison 4500SP 6 speed automatic | 120,000 lbs (GCWR) |
Maximum gross combined vehicle weight (GCVW) of the M915 when operating with the M872 semitrailer is 105,000 lbs.
M915A3 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 52,000 GVWR 6X4. Photo courtesy Freightliner LLC.
M915 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 50,000 GVWR 6X4.
Dataplate for M915A1 Truck, Tractor, Line Haul 50,000 GVWR 6X4. Photo: Government Liquidation.com
M-915A1 Tractor with trailer load of medical supplies from the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center in Pirmasens, West Germany, 28 December 1989.
62nd Transportation Company M915 tractor with flat bed trailer, Ft. Bliss, TX, 12 February 1987.
89th Trans Co, 6th Trans Bn M915A3 Light Equipment Transporter on railroad flat car, Fort Eustis, VA, 24 February 2002.
M915A4 Glider Kit. Photo courtesy Freightliner LLC.
M915A5. Photo courtesy Daimler Trucks North America LLC.
M915A5. Photo courtesy Daimler Trucks North America LLC.
Thanks to James Grein for help with this page.
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