US Army modifying M1070A1 HET tractors to transport tanks along EU highways

The US Army is looking to transport its M1 Abrams main battle tanks across European highways, with an eye toward military conflict with Russia.

The service is ‘rebaselining’ its M1070A1 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) tractors to boost its payload capability and get it into compliance with European Union (EU) standards.

The army recently released a redacted justification document, dated 28 March, that outlined plans to provide Oshkosh Defense with a contract to rebaseline 170 M1070A1 HET tractors, a vehicle used to transport Abrams tanks and M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (Hercules). Once work is completed on the platform, the new HET will be referred to as the M1300 tractor.

The 170 M1070A1 HET tractors will be “rebaselined and capability enhanced by Oshkosh to meet EU Highway Transportation requirements and allow fulfilment of these vital deterrence and combat related missions”, the document stated.

Oshkosh Defense is working to rebaseline some of the US Army's M1070A1 HET tractor fleet (pictured above) so they can travel on EU highways. (Oshkosh Defense)

When paired with the M1000 trailer, the M1070A1 HET tractor is referred to as the Heavy Equipment Transporter System, and it has the capability to transport and recover heavy, oversized combat equipment up to 70 tonnes. The new M1300 tractor will be able to carry a 75-tonne payload, according to the army document.