The name Cummins was traditionally associated with heavy-duty truck engines until the Cummins VTA-903-T500 engine was selected to power the US Army's United Defense M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV), production commencing in 1981. In 1991, Cummins started delivering the VTA-903-T600 for upgraded versions of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and by mid-1999 had delivered well over 11,000 engines for this programme with production continuing for both the USA and for export.

Production of the Bradley was completed after 6,742 had been built for the US and Saudi Arabia. The Fighting Vehicle Systems carrier chassis remains in production for a wide range of applications such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System and the CV2 command vehicle.

The V-903-T295 engine is used to power the M9 ACE which entered production for the US Army in 1987. This re-entered production again late in 1998.

The VTA-903-T660 is used to power the Marconi Marine, Land and Naval Systems AS90 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, selected by the British Army in mid-1989 as the Abbot replacement. This engine is part of a complete power pack designed and supplied by Cummins Engine Company Limited. Deliveries of power packs (MILPAC 660) started in 1991. There is an entry for the MILPAC 660 power pack in the Cummins diesel engines and power packs entry.

The VTA-903-T is also a candidate for armoured vehicle retrofit. The US Marine Corps AAV7, which was originally fitted with the 8V-53T diesel engine was refitted with the Cummins VT-903-T400 engine. New production of the AAV7A1 since 1982 has been with the VT-903-T400 engine.

TheVTA-903-T has been employed in retrofit of M41 light tanks, Including the M41s of the Danish Army.

Cummins diesel power ranges from 50 to 2,000 hp in eight basic engine series and is available in naturally aspirated, turbocharged and after-cooled models.

The 90° V8-cylinder engine with a displacement of 14.8 litres and with outputs of 265 to 660 hp (198 to 492 kW). Since the engine was introduced evolutionary changes have included a larger camshaft, air-to-air after cooling and increased cylinder pressures allowing horsepowers to rise to the current 447 kW (600 bhp) and 491 kW (660 bhp) and the soon to be introduced twin-turbo 558 kW (750 bhp) rating.