Background of the Light Armoured Vehicle AKA LAV
Most major AFV manufacturers have facilities in a number of countries. General Dynamics Land Systems is no exception and has a large facility in Canada known as GDLS-Canada (which was previously GM Defense and was purchased by GDLS), which focuses on the production & development of Wheeled Vehicles for the international market.
The Swiss firm MOWAG developed a series of 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 wheeled troop carriers for the Swiss Army commonly known as the Piranha during the 1970's. Their order books have expanded to include international purchases from many other nations Armies and includes the licenced production during the 1970's of their 6x6 vehicle by GDLS-Canada for the Canadian Army, who designated it the Armoured Vehicle General Purpose AKA “AVGP”.
There were three variants of this vehicle built:
The Grizzly - infantry carrier, The Cougar - British Scorpion tank turret equipped with a 76 mm main gun, The Husky - recovery vehicle.
GDLS-Canada’s 8x8 vehicles are called Light Armoured Vehicles, Better known as LAV. LAV is not a non-European designation of Piranha.
Since the production of the AVGP, GDLS-Canada have gone on to develop the LAV II & LAV III, which despite some similarity’s to the Swiss Piranha’s are GDLS’s own designs based on the AVGP and are not copies of Swiss Piranha’s.
The LAV II 8x8 was developed during the 1980’s and is known as the LAV-25 with the USMC, Coyote (Reconnaissance Vehicle) & Bison (infantry carrier) in Canada and ASLAV in Australia.
The LAV III was developed in the late 1990’s for the Canadian Forces and also is in service with the New Zealand Army. It serves as both armies principal Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The US Army Stryker is a lighter armoured version of the vehicle.
The success of the series has been its high mobility and adaptability to serve other mission roles.
Development
The LAV III offered greater payload carrying capabilities, but most importantly a higher level of protection over other LAV vehicles and non LAV APC's in service at the time with the Canadian Army. It was purchased to replace all other ageing troop carrying vehicles in the Canadian Army.
The base vehicle offered all round protection of 7.62mm fire and with its MEXAS passive armour modules, it could withstand 12.7mm fire.
The Canadian Army has been heavily committed to the efforts in Afghanistan for a number of years, which of course means the deployment of the LAV III. Despite the sad losses of crew & troops, the vehicle has taken some serious punishment at no fault of its own. Thou there have been some armour upgrades during its time in Afgan, the Canadian Government is committed to the mission success, the safety of Canadian troops and the continued success of the LAV III.
So in July 2010, GDLS-Canada were awarded a multi-million dollar contract for the development of a new engine and suspension system so as to increase the vehicles payload capability, so that additional armour packages can be added in the future to meet future threats without the loss of mobility.
Operators of the LAV III
Canada -
LAV III Canada national procurement between 1998 and 2006
The Canadian Army is the largest operator of LAV III vehicles with 651 delivered to date. It has been deployed within the Canadian Army as Infantry Carriers (313), Command Post (181), TOW missile carrier (71), Forward Observation (47), and Engineer Variants (39).
New Zealand -
Designated NZLAV, GDLS-Canada supplied 104 vehicles between 2003 to 2004
Saudi Arabia -
19 LAV III delivered in 2001
Size/Weight
Length: 7188 mm 283 in.
Width: 2616 mm 103 in.
Height: 2616 mm 103 in.
Curb weight: 14,243 kg 31,400 lbs
Combat weight GVW: 17,237 kg 38,000 lbs
Performance
Governed speed: 100 kph 62 mph
Maximum range: 502 km 312 miles
Minimum turn
diameter: 17 m 55.8 ft.
Maximum trench
crossing: 2 m 6.5 ft.
Maximum grade: 60%
Maximum side slope: 30%
Power Train & Suspension
Engine: 350 hp
Transmission: 6 speeds forward
1 reverse
Transfer case: 2 speed
Differentials: 4 automotive
Tires: 1200 R20 CTIS
(option)
Suspension: 8 wheel independent
– pneumatic, with
optional height
management system
Air Transportability
C-130
C-141
C-5A
C-17
Fire Suppression
• Halon 1301
• AFES crew & engine compartments
automatically activated
Climate Control System
Air Conditioning/Heater
Personnel
10 total -
1 driver
1 vehicle commander
1 gunner
7 troops
Paint
Interior: CARC white
Exterior: CARC (green camouflage
pattern) (option)
Armament
Primary:
• M242 25mm chain gun linked
with Thermal Imaging Sight
Secondary:
• M240 7.62mm machine gun
mounted coaxially to the
main gun
Supplementary:
• M249 5.56mm or M240 7.62mm
machine gun (pintle mounted)
Ancillary:
• (2) 76mm Smoke and
Fragmentation Grenade
Launchers
(Clusters of 4 launchers each)
Ammunition
Ready: (8) 76mm Smoke Grenades
440 rounds 7.62mm
210 rounds 25mm
On Vehicle Equipment
• GIDIII (option)
• RADIAC Detector (option)
• CSAM System (option)
ATGM Wire Cutter
1 driver
1 turret
Equipment
Self-recovery Hydraulic Winch
Vision
Driver:
• (3) M-17 periscopes
• (1) DVA (thermal) (option)
(fit to receive DVE)
Vehicle Commander:
• (7) M-27 periscopes
• Sight with Thermal Display
• (1) GEN III Image
Intensification Sight
Gunner:
• (1) M-27 periscope
• Thermal Imager
• (1) Through Sight ELITE II Laser
Range Finder
Communication & Land Navigation Equipment
Radios provisioned per customer requirements
Mission Role Variants
• Infantry Carrier
• Commander’s Vehicle
• Anti-tank Guided Missile Vehicle
• Reconnaissance
• Mortar Carrier – 120 mm
• Mortar Carrier – 81 mm
• Fire Support Vehicle
• Engineer Squad
• Recovery
• Medical Evacuation
• Medical Treatment
• NBC Reconnaissance
• Mobile Gun System
• Self Propelled Howitzer