Special Report
US Military Vehicles With the Most Powerful Engines
Published:
Last Updated:
The M1 Abrams tank, which the United States is sending several 31 of to Ukraine to defend against Russia, is among the most powerful vehicles in the U.S. military. But it might surprise some to see that the Abrams only ranks third in horsepower in the American military’s fleet of mechanized weapons. (Here is how Ukraine’s newly bolstered tank army compares to Russia’s.)
To determine the most powerful U.S. military vehicles, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on active U.S. Army vehicles from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We ranked all vehicles by their horsepower. Supplemental information on top speed, crew size, when the vehicle entered the service, and what role it plays within the military also came from Military Factory.
Most of the vehicles on this list first went into service in the 20th century and are still essential to the nation’s defense.
Three of the four least powerful vehicles are among the fastest: M1161 Growler fast attack vehicle, the infantry squad vehicle, and the Flyer-72 ALSV (advanced light strike vehicle). All go at least 85 mph. (See the fastest vehicles in the U.S. military.)
Under the built-to-last category, 17 of the vehicles on the list came into service in the 20th century, and four date from the 1960s. The oldest is the M113 APC tracked armored personnel carrier that came into service in 1960. Among the five most powerful, two are from the ‘60s, one from the ‘80s, and two from the aughts.
Click here to see the US military vehicles with the most powerful engines.
32. M1161 Growler
> Horsepower: 132
> Top speed: 85.1 mph — #3 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Fast attack vehicle
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 2009
[in-text-ad]
31. HMMWV (Humvee)
> Horsepower: 150
> Top speed: 65.2 mph — #6 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Multi-purpose wheeled vehicle
> Crew size: 1
> First entered service: 1985
30. Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)
> Horsepower: 186
> Top speed: 90.1 mph — #2 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Light utility vehicle
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2021
29. Flyer-72 ALSV (Advanced Light Strike Vehicle)
> Horsepower: 195
> Top speed: 99.4 mph — #1 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Special operations vehicle
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 2014
[in-text-ad-2]
28. Scorpion DPV (Desert Patrol Vehicle)
> Horsepower: 200
> Top speed: 56.3 mph — #18 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Lightweight all-terrain
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1987
27. M113 APC
> Horsepower: 212
> Top speed: 37.9 mph — #28 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Armored personnel carrier
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 1960
[in-text-ad]
26. M939 Truck
> Horsepower: 240
> Top speed: 62.1 mph — #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Military truck
> Crew size: 1
> First entered service: 1982
25. M1117 Guardian ASV
> Horsepower: 260
> Top speed: 62.1 mph — #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Armored security vehicle
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1999
24. LAV-25
> Horsepower: 275
> Top speed: 62.1 mph — #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Light armored vehicle (LAV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1983
[in-text-ad-2]
23. RG-31 Nyala
> Horsepower: 275
> Top speed: 62.1 mph — #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Infantry mobility vehicle (IMV)
> Crew size: 8
> First entered service: 2006
22. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)
> Horsepower: 290
> Top speed: 52.8 mph — #20 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 2005
[in-text-ad]
21. M9 ACE (Armored Combat Earthmover)
> Horsepower: 295
> Top speed: 30.0 mph — #30 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Military bulldozer
> Crew size: 1
> First entered service: 1986
20. M93 Fox
> Horsepower: 320
> Top speed: 64.6 mph — #10 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Reconnaissance vehicle
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1990
19. Cougar
> Horsepower: 330
> Top speed: 54.7 mph — #19 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Troop transport
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2002
[in-text-ad-2]
18. FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles)
> Horsepower: 330
> Top speed: 59.0 mph — #17 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Military truck
> Crew size: 1
> First entered service: 1996
17. Stryker
> Horsepower: 350
> Top speed: 62.1 mph — #12 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Armored fighting vehicle (AFV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 2002
[in-text-ad]
16. MIM-104 Patriot
> Horsepower: 355
> Top speed: 49.7 mph — #21 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
> Crew size: 12
> First entered service: 1981
24/7 Wall St.
15. M-ATV
> Horsepower: 370
> Top speed: 65.2 mph — #6 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP)
> Crew size: 5
> First entered service: 2009
14. MaxxPro
> Horsepower: 375
> Top speed: 69.2 mph — #4 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP)
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2007
[in-text-ad-2]
13. AAV-7 (LVTP-7)
> Horsepower: 400
> Top speed: 39.8 mph — #26 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Amphibious assault vehicle (AAV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1972
12. RG-33
> Horsepower: 400
> Top speed: 67.7 mph — #5 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Infantry mobility vehicle (IMV)
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2007
[in-text-ad]
11. M109 (Paladin)
> Horsepower: 450
> Top speed: 40.0 mph — #25 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Self-propelled artillery
> Crew size: 4
> First entered service: 1963
24/7 Wall St.
10. Buffalo H
> Horsepower: 450
> Top speed: 65.2 mph — #6 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP)
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2004
9. M915A5
> Horsepower: 500
> Top speed: 64.6 mph — #10 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Military tractor
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2000
[in-text-ad-2]
8. M2 Bradley
> Horsepower: 600
> Top speed: 37.9 mph — #28 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1981
7. M270
> Horsepower: 600
> Top speed: 39.8 mph — #26 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1983
[in-text-ad]
6. Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
> Horsepower: 690
> Top speed: 65.2 mph — #6 fastest out of 32 vehicles (tied)
> Role: Amphibious assault vehicle (AAV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 2019
24/7 Wall St.
5. M60 AVLB
> Horsepower: 750
> Top speed: 30.0 mph — #30 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB)
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 1967
4. M88 Hercules
> Horsepower: 1,050
> Top speed: 24.9 mph — #32 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Armored recovery vehicle (ARV)
> Crew size: 3
> First entered service: 1961
[in-text-ad-2]
3. M1 Abrams
> Horsepower: 1,500
> Top speed: 41.6 mph — #24 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Main battle tank
> Crew size: 4
> First entered service: 1980
2. M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle
> Horsepower: 1,500
> Top speed: 43.5 mph — #23 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Battlefield engineering vehicle
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2008
[in-text-ad]
1. M104 Wolverine
> Horsepower: 1,500
> Top speed: 44.7 mph — #22 fastest out of 32 vehicles
> Role: Armored vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB)
> Crew size: 2
> First entered service: 2003
Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
