FCA, AM General Partner on Gladiator Military Truck

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has teamed with U.S. defense contractor AM General LLC, best-known for its military Humvee vehicles, to develop a military version of the Jeep Gladiator midsize pickup truck.

The partners unveiled the Gladiator Extreme Military-Grade Truck (XMT) concept this week at a U.S. Army conference in Washington, D.C., where they are showing it to potential customers. Based on interest and feedback, production could begin in the second half of 2020.

Based on a stripped-down version of the redesigned 2020 Gladiator, the XMT has been equipped by AM General with military-grade parts for severe use. Changes include more rugged bumpers, off-road tires, tubular-steel doors and communications gear.

The XMT could be adapted for personnel transport (above) or as a command-and-control truck (right). Diesel and gasoline variants are planned.

Introduced earlier this year, the Gladiator is based on the Wrangler Unlimited SUV. The 4x4 pickup has a 44° approach angle, a 20° break-over angle and a 26° departure angle. With 11 inches of ground clearance, the Gladiator can ford 30 inches of water.

Billed as the “most capable midsize truck ever,” the Gladiator has 1,600-lb payload and 7,650-lb towing capacities. Other goodies include locking differentials, skid plates and tow hooks.