Military light utility vehicle, or simply light utility vehicle (LUV), is a term used for the lightest weight class military vehicle category. These are generally Jeep-like four-wheel drive vehicles for military use that are by definition not armoured fighting vehicles, lighter than other military trucks and vehicles, inherently compact and usually with light or no vehicle armour and/or weapons, with short body overhangs for nimble all-terrain mobility, and frequently around four-to-nine passenger capacity.

Worldwide, and since the earliest large scale mechanisation of the military, hundreds of different light vehicles have been used for military utility service, ranging from readily available commercial products which were simply repainted in military colors, to purpose-designed tactical vehicles that were specially developed for military applications and operation in forward areas. Light utility vehicles are typically general or multi-purpose, used to carry troops, staff, (mounted) weapons, supplies, evacuate wounded soldiers, and many other diverse roles.

Military light utility vehicles originated in the first half of the twentieth century, when modernisation of armies meant replacing horses and other draft animals through mechanisation, as well as increasing mobility of the infantry, to gain an essential tactical advantage. In 21st century missions, small arms fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continuously pose highly dangerous threats to mobile infantry, and the military's lightest utility vehicles have frequently become heavier and larger, as a result of addition of armour, for the purpose of crew protection.^{[citation needed]} Designs for modern light military vehicle platforms have to balance manoeuvrability, speed, weapons capability, survivability and transportability – all of high importance to ground troops in operations.^{[citation needed]}

Civilian adaptations of the Willys MB and Land Rover were the first sport utility vehicles, and some SUVs such as the Chevrolet Blazer have been used as military light utility vehicles.

The importance of this kind of military vehicle was summed up by General Eisenhower, who wrote that most senior officers regarded the jeep as one of the six most vital U.S. vehicles in World War II. Moreover, general George Marshall called the jeep "America's greatest contribution to modern warfare." Similar vehicles are among the most common military vehicles in armies of most nations.

In 1939, the U.S. Army began standardizing its general-purpose trucks by limiting procurement to five chassis payload classes, from 1⁄2-ton to 7+1⁄2-ton, but the army was "to use commercial trucks with only a few modifications such as brush guards and towing pintles .." However, in 1940 the categories were revised. A new, lightest chassis, "quarter-ton" class was introduced, at the bottom of the range, and the 1⁄2-ton category was supplanted by a 3⁄4-ton chassis – both were classified as "light" trucks; 1+1⁄2-tonners were considered "medium".

The Willys MB Jeep of World War II used by the U.S. Army is probably the most widely known vehicle of this class. Over 640,000 Jeeps were built for World War II, and they inspired many vehicles similar in layout, or function. Besides the jeep, the U.S. also produced some 330,000 half- and three quarter-ton Dodge WC series trucks, in a wide range of variants. Together, the Willys and Ford jeeps, and Dodge's WC-series trucks made up nearly all of the WW II U.S. light vehicle output of almost a million (~988,000) units.

In World War II, Germany used the Volkswagen Kübelwagen for a similar role. It only had rear-wheel drive, but could take advantage of light weight, a very flat, smooth underbody, rear axle portal geared hubs, and a rear-mounted engine for mobility. Early American dune buggies were also based on the Volkswagen, and the Desert Storm-era Desert Patrol Vehicle evolved from the dune buggy configuration for combat use.