Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mack Defense Receives Order for 86 U.S. Army M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks

Mack Defense received an order for 86 M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks from the U.S. Army. This is the initial order for a new five-year contract awarded earlier this year.

Military dump truck shown from the front quarter low angle.

Mack Defense will provide another 86 M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks, which are based on the commercial Mack Granite, for the U.S. Army. 

Photo: Mack Defense

2 min to read


Mack Defense has received an initial order for 86 M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks (HDTs) from the U.S. Army as part of a new five-year contract awarded June 24, 2025, for up to 450 trucks with value up to $221.8 million.

Ad Loading...

This order is the first under the new contract and follows the successful completion of Mack Defense’s original seven-year contract awarded in 2018. 

Ad Loading...

“We are proud to continue supporting the U.S. Army with proven, reliable vehicles tailored to the demands of military operations,” said Derik Beck, senior director of sales, business development and marketing at Mack Defense. “This new order and the new contract overall both reinforce the critical role the M917A3 plays in sustainment missions and reflect the trust the Army has placed in our team, our truck and our American manufacturing operations. Leveraging a commercially proven platform like the Mack Granite allows the Army to benefit from an established supply chain, proven durability and easier lifecycle support across a wide operational footprint.”

Funding for the 86 trucks comes from the 2025 Department of Defense Budget, a signal of continued federal support for tactical vehicle modernization and U.S. industrial base readiness.

The trucks will be used across a wide range of operational environments in support of critical infrastructure and construction efforts, including airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities and motor pools. 

The M917A3 HDT is based on the Mack Granite commercial platform, enhanced to meet the U.S. Army’s rigorous requirements. Key modifications include all-wheel drive, heavier-duty rear axles, increased ride height, and other ruggedized features for tactical use. 

Each truck is also equipped with modern control systems, ABS, and advanced safety technology, providing operators with improved handling, performance, and mission flexibility.

Ad Loading...

All vehicles are assembled at the Mack Experience Center (MEC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Mack Defense established a dedicated production line in 2021 following a $6.5 million investment. The facility has passed stringent government inspections and quality audits, representing a key component of Mack Defense’s support for the U.S. industrial base.

The M917A3 continues to serve as a core asset for the Army Engineer Regiment, delivering the durability, mobility, and engineering capability needed to execute demanding missions across a broad range of environments.

Mack Defense remains committed to delivering high-performance, mission-ready equipment that supports the evolving needs of the U.S. military.

Production of the HDTs began in March of 2021. The production line helps fulfill the M917A3 contract, while allowing Mack Defense to produce other vehicle variants.

More Vehicle Insights

alt image text for accessibility Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet thumbnail featuring Lauren Fletcher with her palms raised beside a repair van, Volvo VNX dump truck, and Workhorse electric step van. Text reads “Weekly Cheat Sheet” and “Hidden Downtime & New Trucks Plus 250K-Mile Picks.”
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•November 2, 2026

Long-Lasting Pickups, Hidden Downtime, and Racing Lessons Lead This Week’s Work Truck News

Which pickups could reach 250,000 miles? Plus, hidden repair downtime, GVWR rerating, racing lessons, and quick fleet news in this week’s Truck Chat.

Read More →
Two Freightliner Cascadia semi-trucks, one blue and one tan, drive side by side on a highway beneath a 20th-anniversary logo celebrating the Cascadia's 2007 debut, with a “Share Your Story With Us” message.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•November 2, 2026

Freightliner Announces Plans for Cascadia’s 20th Anniversary in 2027

Freightliner’s “20 Years of What’s Next” campaign will recognize the people who have helped shape the truck’s history. Drivers, dealers, fleet managers, and owners are invited to share their stories as part of the Cascadia’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2027.

Read More →
Work Truck’s 2027 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year and Commercial Van of the Year award logos side by side against a charcoal-and-gold backdrop.
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•November 2, 2026

Vote for 2027 Medium-Duty Truck & Commercial Van of the Year

You know what works in the field. Help choose Work Truck’s 2027 Medium-Duty Truck and Commercial Van of the Year. Two awards, one ballot.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A white Kenworth sleeper cab truck featuring Boise Cascade branding and winter-themed graphics is parked on wet pavement overlooking rolling hills beneath a cloudy sky.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 30, 2026

Kenworth T680 Featuring Special Design Will Transport U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C.

A Kenworth T680 departed the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho this week to deliver the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 76-foot Engelmann spruce. This marks the 13th year a Kenworth is delivering the tree.

Read More →
White Workhorse electric delivery truck driving along a cobblestone street lined with historic buildings and flags in a Canadian city. The truck features Workhorse branding and an orange logo on its side.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 26, 2026

Workhorse Partners with Tristan Fleet Management to Sell and Service Electric W56 Step Vans in Canada

Workhorse’s first Canadian dealer partnership, with Tristan Fleet Management, builds on five years of selling electric step vans in Canada.

Read More →
A woman wearing a blue GM Cares shirt holds up educational materials while speaking to a group of participants seated at tables during a community outreach or educational workshop.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 26, 2026

GM Launches Manufacturing Futures Under its $50M Commitment to Michigan

General Motors’ new initiative, Manufacturing Futures, will connect 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year with advanced manufacturing education and career pathways.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Gray Ford Super Duty dual-rear-wheel pickup driving on a road beneath the headline “Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide.”
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 23, 2026

Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Updates

Explore 2027 Ford Super Duty fleet specs, gas and diesel engines, towing, payload, configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.

Read More →
Work Truck graphic with a truck engine and the text “Rerating GVWR — What Fleets Need to Know.”
Safety & Compliance•by Staff•October 22, 2026

Re-rating Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR): Why and How it's Done

Sometimes, it is not in a fleet’s best interests to have a vehicle at a given GVWR. Changing the GVWR to a special value can be done, but the process is complicated.

Read More →
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pickup truck towing an enclosed cargo trailer along a paved road, showcasing the truck's towing capabilities.
Vehicle Insights•by Lauren Fletcher•October 20, 2026

Which Pickup Trucks Last 250,000 Miles? 2026 Rankings Revealed

Which pickup trucks are most likely to reach 250,000 miles? The 2026 iSeeCars study ranks 12 long-lasting models, with Ram, Toyota, GMC, and Ford among the leaders.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Interior view of a Peterbilt commercial truck cab featuring a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment system, steering wheel, dashboard controls, and digital side mirrors, with a winding highway and mountains visible through the windshield.
Vehicle Insights•by News/Media Release•October 19, 2026

Peterbilt Showcasing Transportation Innovations at ATA MCE

Peterbilt showcased Paccar Connect and exhibited several trucks during the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).

Read More →