Mack Defense is now producing Heavy Dump Trucks (HDT) at the Mack Experience Center, following an investment of $6.5 million to create a dedicated production line at the facility.

The investment will help fulfill the Mack Defense M917A3 contract with the U.S. Army, as well as allow the production of other vehicle variants.

“The investment to create a dedicated HDT product line at the Mack Experience Center will increase production efficiencies,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “We are proud to continue the fulfillment of our current contract with the U.S. Army and support our armed forces.”

Previously, non-armored HDT vehicles started production at Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO), where all Mack Truck Class 8 vehicles for North America and export are assembled. The HDT vehicle was then transported to the Mack Experience Center, where final assembly including the dump body was added.

Production of the HDT trucks at the Mack Experience Center began in Q1 2021.

The production line is located in the Mack Experience Center in the former Customer Adaptation Center, where vehicle modifications for Mack trucks occurred. All of that space will be used for production. The Customer Adaptation Center has since moved to LVO.

The HDT is based on the civilian Mack Granite model, one of the top-selling vocational trucks in North America. The M917A3 HDT was spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other features to meet the U.S. Army needs.

Initial deliveries of the Mack Defense M917A3 HDT began in May 2021.