Mack Defense to Build Dump Trucks for U.S. Army

The U.S. Army has contracted with Mack Defense to build up to 450 M917A3 heavy dump trucks (HDT) over the course of five years. The contract is valued at up to $221.8 million, according to Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks. This agreement follows a 2018 contract that included production of Mack’s 500th M917A3 HDT in March 2025.

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“This contract represents continued confidence in our ability to deliver mission-critical vehicles to the U.S. Army,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “The M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck is a commercial-based truck modified to meet mission-critical functionality that directly supports the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard operations within the United States and around the world. This new contract award is a testament to the commitment of our team, which includes our supplier partners, as well as to the robust capabilities of this heavy tactical vehicle platform. We look forward to building and delivering more reliable, high-performance trucks that meet the demanding needs of our soldiers.”

The M917A3 HDTs support construction and upkeep of airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities, motor pools, and in disaster relief for areas affected by severe weather.

Based on the Mack Granite, the M917A3 HDTs are spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other ruggedized features to meet the unique requirements of the U.S. military. The vehicles also feature advanced technology including ABS, modern control interfaces and active safety systems.

Since the initial contract award in 2018, which allowed for up to 683 trucks at a value up to $296 million, the U.S. military has ordered 549 HDTs from Mack Defense, with additional orders coming from both the U.S. Army and U.S. National Guard.