Image via Hennessey Defense Systems
Hennessey Performance, known for squeezing more power out of performance cars, trucks, and SUVs, has revealed its very first military vehicle build during the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Hennessey Warhawk, which is based on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, is being billed as a light strike-force vehicle. It’s a rather unexpected turn of events for the company, yet it also makes sense.
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After all, Jeeps have been modified for use on the front lines of wars in the past. Like its predecessors, the Warhawk is lighter and faster than comparable vehicles in the same sector, or so claims Hennessey.
The Warhawk features armor that protects the drivetrain from damage, plus run-flat off-road tires all with the idea of keeping the truck going under fire. To help with shooting back, the Jeep can be outfitted with mounting points for big guns and other weapons systems.
Like keeps of yesteryear, and other current military vehicles, the Warhawk has a “blackout function” which shuts off all lights. That’s critical when troops are out in the field in the dark, trying to hide from enemy forces.
With modular modifications which can be crafted to fit specific duties, Hennessey visualizes the Warhawk being used not only by Special Operations forces on battlefields or behind enemy lines but also police SWAT teams for law enforcement.
To keep the Warhawk flexible for the needs of troops, Hennessey says it can convert the fuel system for diesel or kerosene. We wonder if all-electric or hybrid options won’t be made available later.
The reveal of the Warhawk also comes with the creation of a new division in the company, Hennessey Defense Systems. It will focus solely on the creation of vehicles for the defense sector, an area where we’ve seen quite a bit of innovation lately and expect plenty more.
Speaking about the Warhawk reveal, Hennessey founder and CEO John Hennessey said, “We are excited to unveil WARHAWK at the 2025 SHOT Show. WARHAWK design is strongly influenced by experienced war fighters and their desire to have a fast, reliable and versatile first-strike vehicle that is easy to operate and service in some of the world’s harshest environments. We are honored to take our decades of experience from building some of the world’s fastest vehicles and applying our know-how to the defense sector.”
Image via Hennessey Defense Systems
