The Hummer brand has a long and storied history of producing rugged and capable vehicles for the military and civilian markets. From the original Humvee that was used in the Gulf War, to the H1, H2, and H3 models that became popular among celebrities and enthusiasts, the Hummer name has also been synonymous with toughness and power.

But in 2010, the Hummer brand was discontinued by General Motors, as part of its restructuring plan after the Great Recession. The high fuel consumption and perceived environmental impact of the Hummer made them a target for environmental extremists and many consumers turned away from the brand.

That was a big mistake as the Hummer brand name is a global household term, as well known as Jeep, Coca-Cola, or Apple. In 2020, GM announced that it would revive Hummer as an all-electric sub-brand of GMC, with the first model being an EV pickup truck.

It promised to deliver up to 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque, and a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. It also teased a host of advanced technologies, such as four-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, CrabWalk mode, and Extract mode.

But little did we know that the Hummer EV wasn’t designed just for the civilian market. GM has revealed a military version of the rig, called the Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (ELRV). The ELRV is based on the Ultium platform but with modifications to suit the needs of the armed forces.

The Drive has obtained exclusive photos of a prototype that has been modified with various military features, such as camouflage paint, bulletproof windows, roof-mounted machine guns, and armored plates. The photos were taken at a secret testing facility in Nevada, where the Hummer EV is undergoing rigorous trials before its official launch in 2022.

According to The Drive, the militarized Hummer EV is not an official project by GMC or the US Department of Defense, but rather a private venture by a company called Mil-Spec Automotive, which specializes in customizing civilian vehicles for military use. The company has previously worked on Hummer H1s and Ford F-150s, and now it has set its sights on the Hummer EV.

The Mil-Spec Hummer EV is not just a cosmetic makeover, but also a performance upgrade. The company claims that it has boosted the electric powertrain to deliver over 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the stock Hummer Edition 1. The Mil-Spec version also has a larger battery pack that can provide up to 400 miles of range on a single charge.

The Mil-Spec conversion is not intended for mass production or sale, but rather as a showcase of what the company can do with the latest electric technology. The company says that it is open to working with interested parties who want to order a custom-built Hummer EV for their own purposes, whether it is for personal use or for government contracts.

The military spec Hummer EV is an intriguing concept that demonstrates the potential of the Ultium platform for various applications. While it may not be everyone’s gigantic cup of tea, it certainly adds some boo-rah to the possibilities of EVs.