Light Armored Vehicle-25
| LAV-25 | |
|---|---|
LAV-25 at Kadena Air Base (2001) |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 3 + 6 |
| length | 6.4 m |
| width | 2.5 m |
| height | 2.7 m |
| Dimensions | 12.8 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Main armament | 25 mm MK M242 Bushmaster |
| Secondary armament | 2 MG M240 |
| agility | |
| drive | V6 diesel engine 205 kW (275 PS) |
| Top speed | 100 km / h |
| Power / weight | 16 kW / t |
| Range | 660 km |
The Light Armored Vehicle ( LAV-25 for short ) is a four-axle amphibious armored vehicle of the United States Marine Corps and the Canadian Army , which is based on the Swiss Mowag Piranha . The New Zealand Army also has 105 vehicles of the modified type LAV III (called NZLAV ).
Instead of its original function as an armored personnel carrier with six infantrymen, the US Marine Corps mainly uses the LAV-25 as a reconnaissance tank with only four infantry scouts in the rear combat compartment.
history
The vehicles were manufactured by General Dynamics in Canada and were originally a license production of the Piranha armored personnel carrier, which was designed and built by the Swiss manufacturer Mowag . MOWAG has meanwhile been taken over by General Dynamics and integrated into General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (ELCS).
The introduction of the LAV-25 at the USMC took place in 1983. The vehicles were first used in combat at the end of 1989 during the Panama invasion . As of 2007, the Marine Corps has put over 700 LAVs into service.
The US Army uses several variants of the LAV / Piranha III under the designation Stryker , which are larger and more heavily armored, in the newly formed Stryker Brigades .
The service life of the wheeled armored vehicle that has been planned to date is until 2024. It is intended to replace the LAV-25 with the new Marine Personnel Carrier , but this will not happen before 2015.
Armor
In the 12.8 ton basic version, the LAV-25 has protection against 7.62 × 39 mm steel core projectiles at 850 m / s, the projectile itself only reaches 700 m / s (2300 ft / s = Stanag Level 2 ).
In the front there is a slightly thicker armor approx. 50%, angled against 12.7 × 108 mm b32 steel core projectiles, whereby the front is only v50 protected up to 790 m / s in the event of direct 0 ° fire. The 12.7 × 108mm b32 cartridge, however, reaches 820 m / s (Stanag Level 3+).
The values refer to a distance of 30 meters.
Over the years the armored vehicles were modernized as part of the “Service Life Extension Program” and named LAV-25A2. The upgrade included improvements to the chassis, more modern aiming systems, inner spall liners and higher armor protection, which should protect the front up to 14.5 mm projectiles, as with the Stryker. This version of the LAV-25 was also used extensively in the USMC's operations in Iraq.
Technical description
The standard LAV is a four-axle armored vehicle, which is steered with the two front axles and normally driven via the two rear axles; a switch to all-wheel drive is possible. The LAV is buoyant and can move in the water at 12 km / h. However, due to the SLEP measures, swimming ability is no longer given. Detroit Diesel's longitudinally installed V6 diesel engine is to the right of the driver. In the turret are the commander and the gunner who uses the M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon as the main weapon . A total of 420 projectiles are carried for the MK, half armor-piercing and half explosive ammunition. Half of the 420 cartridges are ready to use, the other half is stowed in the vehicle. 1320 rounds are carried for the axially parallel machine gun and the machine gun operated by the commander on the tower roof. The infantrymen enter and exit the vehicle through two rear doors and have two roof hatches to fight from inside the vehicle.
variants
There are different models of the LAV-25:
- LAV-AT (anti-tank)
- This variant intended for anti-tank defense is also known as the hammerhead . It is equipped with a TOW weapon station on the rear roof. Two TOW missiles are ready for launch in the double launch tube, while 14 more are carried in the vehicle. A machine gun with 1000 rounds is available for close defense.
- LAV-M (mortar)
- An M252 mortar , which can be rotated through 360 degrees, is housed in the rear under large skylights . 100 shells are carried for the mortar and 1000 rounds for the MG for self-defense.
- LAV-AD (Air Defense)
- This model, intended for air defense, is or was equipped with an electrically rotatable tower on the roof, which is equipped with two launch tubes for four Stinger missiles and a Gatling gun GAU-12 . Almost 1000 shots for the Gatling and a total of 16 stingers are carried. The LAV-AD is no longer used.
- LAV-C2 (Command & Control)
- This mobile command station is equipped with additional VHF, UHF and HF radio devices on the raised roof structure . The crew consists of five men; A machine gun with 1000 rounds is available for self-defense. Over 50 LAV-C2 were put into service.
- LAV-L (Logistic)
- This variant was modified to be used in the supply area and to take on transport tasks.
- LAV-R (recovery)
- This variant for rescue purposes is equipped with a crane and a winch. The crane can be rotated 260 degrees and can lift up to 4 tons; the winch has a force of almost 14 tons. It also has a machine gun for self-defense. The crew consists of four men. 46 vehicles were produced.
- LAV-MEWSS (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System)
- These vehicles have extensive equipment for electronic warfare . The main task is to collect data, locate enemy troops, conduct electronic attacks and disrupt enemy communications. Twelve vehicles were delivered from 1989.
Web links
- LAV-25 at www.fas.org (English)
swell
- ↑ LAV III / NZLAV . Deagel.com. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ↑ Modern US Tanks & Afvs, page 72
- ↑ Armored personnel carrier LAV-25 on military-today.com
- ↑ LAV-25 on military-today.com
- ^ Defense Technical Information Center. Retrieved April 10, 2017 (English).
- ^ LAV-25 au discovermilitary.com
- ^ LAV-AT on military.com
- ↑ LAV-C2 on military.com
- ↑ LAV-R on military.com
- ↑ LAV-MEWSS on military.com