The M996, M996A1, M997, M997A1, M1035 and M1035A1 HMMWVs are the Ambulance configuration of the HMMWV family. The vehicles are equipped with basic armor and used to transport casualties from the battlefield to the medical aid stations.
The M996/M996A1 are designated as Mini-Ambulances and can transport up to 2 litter patients, 6 ambulatory patients or a combination of litter and ambulatory patients.
Additionally, medical personnel, equipment, and a driver can be accommodated in the vehicle. The patient compartment is heated with a vehicle-mounted fuel burning heater. For operation in an NBC environment, the M996 and M996A1 are equipped with a Gas-Particulate Filter Unit (GPFU) with heaters capable of supporting up to five personnel equipped with either M25 series protective masks or M13 series patient protective masks. The GPFU forces temperature-controlled, filtered air to the mask facepieces, which increases protection, eases breathing, and reduces stress and heat fatigue during extended periods of NBC operation.
The M996, 2-litter, armored ambulance (HMMWV) weighs 7,180 pounds with the fuel tank no more than 3/4 full. The vehicle is 203 inches long, 87 inches high, and 86 inches wide. The body configuration makes other uses of this vehicle possible, such as specialized communication or command and control functions.
Fully-loaded M996 and M996A1 ambulances will climb road grades as steep as 60% (31°) and traverse a side slope of up to 40% (220). The vehicles ford hard bottom water crossings up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) without a deep water fording kit and 60 inches (152 centimeters) with the kit.
The M996A1 models have the latest modifications applied to the vehicles.