[1] The first order for the HX range came from the British Army which announced in October 2004 that it had selected the then MAN ERF UK Ltd proposal to meet the Support Vehicle requirement.

[8][9][4] MAN is now part of the Volkswagen-owned Traton Group, along with Scania and International Motors LLC (previously Navistar).

The base designation identifies permissible gross vehicle weight and engine power output, the latter figure rounded to the nearest 10 hp (7.457 kW).

For example, the HX range model 18.330 has a technically permissible gross vehicle weight rating of 18,000 kg and an engine power output of 326 hp (243 kW).

[7][9] HX trucks are of a conventional design and are based on a single piece C-section ladder-frame chassis of profiles determined by a mix of GVWR, intended usage, and configuration.

The evolution of this cab used for HX models is 290 mm deeper than preceding designs, and has more than 600 litres of gross stowage space in the rear.

[4][9] The reinforced roof can take the weight of two soldiers and the recoil forces of a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun in a ring-mount.

Appliqué protection kits, for which vehicles are prepared to accept at the production stage, were developed for the cab.

The IAC was originally developed in conjunction with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) for the SX range of trucks, this is suited to models with twin front axles only.

A Rheinmetall-developed IAC option is available, this is suitable for all HX range trucks, depending on front axle rating and protection levels.

All engines are qualified for operation with F34 fuel, and across the range power outputs vary from 326 hp (243 kW ) for a EURO 4 or 5 emissions compliant version of the six-cylinder 6.871-litre D0836 fitted to the HX60, to 680 hp (507 kW) for a EURO 5 emissions compliant version of the V10 18.273-litre D2868, this fitted to the HX81 heavy equipment transporter.

[7][4] The engine remains in the conventional position (longitudinally between the chassis rails) but the cooling pack has been moved transversally to the rear of the cab where it is better protected from damage and the radiator is less prone to getting clogged up when driving off-road.

[1] A ZF AS-Tronic automated constant mesh gearbox (branded TipMatic in MAN's commercial product line up) with 12 forward and two reverse gears was originally standard fit.

The 45M 10×10 is fitted as standard with a ZF Ecolife seven-speed automated transmission with torque convertor and primary retarder, this an option for the 42M and 44M.

Rear axles are sprung by inverted multi-leaf trapezoidal springs with a radius rod and an anti-roll bar.

A fully Automated Load Handling System (ALHS) and Universal Torsion-Resistant Subframe (UTRS) will further enhance capability in the traditional logistics role, while the Artillery Truck Interface (ATI) will enable the 10x10 to be utilised as the basis for various artillery or similar systems.

[10] The HX3 remains based around militarised MAN commercial components, with new safety features carried across from the commercial product including Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), all of these disconnectable for tactical applications.

A new single piece flat mine blast protecting floor is used, this allowing for standard commercial seats to be used for the crew, these with five-point harnesses if required.

Other off-road performance criteria includes a vertical step of 590 mm and an approach angle of 40 degrees.

[10] On 6 November 2017 Rheinmetall announced the company was a main sponsor for high-altitude record-breaking attempt that had commenced that day.

Using two HX range trucks (a 340 hp 4×4 40M and a 440 hp 6×6 58) the expedition aimed to reach the highest point on earth accessible to motor vehicles – the 6890 m-tall Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano, located on the border of Chile and Argentina.

In order to set a new world record the vehicles would have to reach an altitude of at least 6,690 metres above sea level.

[11] On 19 December it was announced the altitude record attempt had been called off at a height of 6,150 m for a combination of factors including an insurmountable rock barrier and adverse weather conditions.

[12] Schwerlasttransporter Mammut Armoured cabin And in the Bundeswehr, known as:"SaZgM", or "Sattelzugmaschine" Unprotected cabin + 57 on order Wechselladersysteme Ungeschütztes Transportfahrzeug, ZLK 15t, 8×8 RMMV HX-41.540 - MULTI 2 WLS GTF 8×8 (armoured) Wechselladersysteme Geschütztes Transportfahrzeug, ZLK 15t, 8×8