Mack Defense has been awarded a new five-year contract to continue production of the U.S. Army’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) for up to 450 trucks, with a total contract value of up to $221.8 million.
This new agreement follows the successful fulfillment of the initial contract awarded in 2018 and comes after the company recently completed production of its 500th M917A3 HDT in March 2025. Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is responsible for the sales of heavy-duty trucks to federal- and ministerial-level customers globally.
“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.”
Hartzell said this new contract award is a testament to the commitment of Mack Defense team, which includes 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,” he added.
The new contract, awarded on June 24, 2025, will ensure the continued production of the critically important M917A3 HDTs, which support the U.S. military’s construction and infrastructure maintenance capabilities.
Mack Defense said these vehicles play a vital role in supporting 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
Based on the commercially available Mack Granite model, the M917A3 HDTs are manufactured at Mack Defense’s dedicated production line at the Mack Experience Center (MEC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The specialized production facility has been in operation since 2021 following a $6.5 million investment to create a dedicated HDT production line, which leverages the capabilities and production workforce of Mack’s main Lehigh Valley production operations located in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
Spec’d with Heavier Rear Axles
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.
Building Trucks for the U.S. Military
Mack Defense said the M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck is an essential asset to the Army’s Engineer Regiment, providing the mobility and durability needed to complete critical construction and infrastructure missions in diverse operational environments. Mack Defense is committed to delivering a high-quality, mission-ready vehicle that meets the Army’s evolving needs.
“From day one, we’ve worked hard to foster a transparent, collaborative relationship – one that has helped ensure this program remains on track, on time and aligned with the Army’s evolving needs, said Derik Beck, senior director of sales, marketing and business development at Mack Defense.
“We are also proud to continue working closely with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Reserve, and the various U.S. National Guard Adjutant Generals, whose ongoing support has been essential to the program’s success. As we move into the next phase, we’re committed to maintaining that level of engagement while also looking to our Congressional stakeholders for sustained support. This program is not only vital to Army readiness but also to preserving critical manufacturing jobs and capabilities within our U.S. industrial base,” Beck added.
Since the initial contract award in 2018, which allowed for up to 683 trucks at a value of 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.
