AUSA 2019: AM General Jeep Gladiator MXT proposed as U.S. Army light tactical vehicle.

The Jeep Gladiator XMT (Extreme Military-Grade Truck) could make its U.S. military debut in the coming years as a light tactical vehicle after AM General and Jeep's corporate parent Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles announced a co-developed MXT concept truck on Monday morning, The Drive reports.

Jeep Gladiator MXT in open-top variant (Picture source: AM General)

The two companies envision Jeep's midsize pickup transformed to suit a variety of applications for troops out in the field as a glorious reunion that hearkens back to the days of World War II with the Willys MB model, should the U.S. Army be actually interested.

AM General showcased two potential forms for the Gladiator MXT in its release, an open-doored convertible version that looks like a light transport vehicle and a closed-off one with a large box in the bed designed to houses logistical equipment The company claims it's using “custom-built and commercially available military-grade parts,” though it doesn't disclose any specifics. The standard Gladiator that the concepts are based on uses a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque and can tow up to 7,650 pounds with the Max Towing package. It's also possible that a future military application could sport Jeep's new diesel engine.

Pending positive feedback, the Gladiator could go into production as a military vehicle as early as 2020, AM General said.

Jeep Gladiator MXT in logistical vehicle variant (Picture source: AM General)