UTILITY VEHICLE: THE HUMVEE

The Army’s high-utility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle is officially called the M998 cargo-troop carrier. Service members call the cross between a fat car and a squat truck a Humvees.

In 1985, the army switched from jeeps to Humvees, which travel over sand dunes and highway.

The Humvee was battle tested a year ago in Panama, where it reportedly ran even with flat tires, thanks to magnesium doughnuts inside the tires.

Power steering 16” clearance Four-wheel drive, independent suspension Wide wheel base makes it hard to overturn The Humvee can climb a 60” grade.

* Average price: $28,000

* Runs in ice, mud, snow and sand.

* There are five basic models: cargo or troop carrier, TOW missile or machine gun carrier and light artillery prime mover.

There’s even one in Baghdad. A Mideast salesman was in Iraq on Aug. 2 with a demo model: he escaped without his Humvee after the invasion of Kuwait.