Combat vehicles / Reconnaissance / Cadillac Gage Commando

Cadillac Gage Commando

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Reconnaissance vehicle

  • ORIGIN
    United States

  • NICKNAMES
    V-100 / V-150 / V-200
    LAV-150 (V-150 renamed since 1994)
    M706 (US service)

  • DESIGNED
    1961 - 1963

  • DESIGNER
    Cadillac Gage

  • PRODUCTION
    1964 - at least 1994

  • PRODUCERS
    United States - Cadillac Gage
    United States - Textron Marine & Land Systems

  • QUANTITY
    Over 3.347 produced, including at least 2480 V-150

  • UNIT COST
    $ 280.000 to $ 350.000 for V-150S with armament in 1992

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Highly mobile on roads and dirt roads
    Limited production costs
    Heavy weapons available
    Parts commonality with Amphibious
    Limited armor protection
    Automotive problems in arduous terrain

Introduction

The Commando is an early Cold War era armored car of US origin. It was developed in the early 1960's as a private venture. The Commando can be used in various roles, including armored personnel carrier, reconnaissance vehicle and weapons carrier. Early models were actively used in the Vietnam war and many were sold to nations allied to the USA until the early 1990's. The Commando is the predecessor of the contemporary ASV-150 / M1117 Guardian.

Layout

The Commando uses an angled monocoque steel hull and 4x4 chassis with large roadwheels. The driver and commander are seated in the front, the crew compartment is located in the middle and the engine is mounted at the rear. Hatches are located in the roof and there is a door on each side. Various types of turrets can be fitted. Firing ports and vision blocks allow personal firearms to be used from within the vehicle.

Firepower

Most versions of the Commando are armed with one ore more 7.62mm machine guns or 12.7mm heavy machine guns. Various nations acquired models with a two man turret with a non-stabilized 20mm Oerlikon 204 GK autocannon. These are able to engage all types of armored vehicles except tanks. In the fire support role the Commando can be used with a two man turret with 90mm MECAR or Cockerill cannon. These carry a total of 39 90mm rounds. Specialist weapon carriers were produced in limited numbers and include 20mm Vulcan air defense vehicle, tank destroyer with TOW missiles and 81mm, 107mm or 120mm mortar carriers.

Protection

The monocoque hull made out of high strength steel provides protection from small arms fire and shell splinters over all angles. Various models use pintle mounted machine guns that have the gunner exposed while operating the weapon. Smoke grenade launchers are optional. NBC protection systems are missing.

Mobility

The Commando proved to be highly mobile on roads. The large roadwheels provide reasonable cross country performance. A 200 hp petrol or diesel engine allows for road speeds up to 100 km/h. The V-100 models suffered from limited reliability since the weight exceeded design parameters of the automotive parts used. Later models had much improved reliability and newer engines allowed for higher road speeds and improved range. All Commando models are amphibious.

Users

The Commando was adopted by South Vietnam and actively used during the Vietnam war. The US Army and Air Force acquired the Commando as the M706 for use in various support roles. The V-150 is the most numerous model and was exported to various nations in Asia, the Middle East and South America. The vast majority has been replaced, but several hundred Commando remain in service today.

Variants

V-100

The V-100 is the original model of the Commando. At first it was known just as the Commando. The V-100 designation was used several years later. It is also known under the US military designation or M706. Although the V-100 was trailed with various turrets with machine guns, grenade launchers and 20mm autocannon. Only a number of relatively basic models saw service.
Models of the V-100 that saw active service include:
- V-100 early production model with a single machine gun on pintle mount.
- V-100 early production model with large one man turret with two machine guns.
- XM706, a V-100 with small twin 7.62mm machine gun turret used by the US Army. Standardized as M706. Later models and conversion kits allowed for one of the 7.62mm machine guns to be replaced by a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.
- XM706E1, a V-100 with parapet instead of turret. Multiple pintle mounts allow for 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.
- XM706E2, a V-100 with standard roofline and partial parapet for protection. Used by the US Air force as base security vehicle.

TypeArmored personnel carrier
Crew3 + 7
Length?
Width?
Height?
Ground clearance?
Weight7.37 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineChrysler 361 V8 petrol, 200 hp at 4.000 rpm
Power ratio27.1 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed100 km/h on road
Fuel?
Range?
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament2x 7.62mm machine gun
Weapon1Twin 7.62mm machine gun in one man turret
3.800 rounds
2x 400 ready to fire
-13 to +55° elevation, manual
360° traverse, manual
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

V-200

The V-200 is an enlarged version of the V-100. It was developed at the request of Singapore. The V-200 is longer, has a more powerful engine and uses strenthened automotive parts that are also used on US Army 5-ton trucks. Advantages over the V-100 are increased reliability, increased internal space and much improved cargo capacity.

Singapore employed the following variants:
- V-200 with two man turret with 20mm Oerlikon and MAG coaxial and roof machine gun.
- V-200 with two man turret with 90mm MECAR gun and MAG coaxial and roof machine gun.
- V-200 armored recovery vehicle with winch and A-frame.
- V-200 mortar carrier with 120mm mortar firing through two large roof hatches.
- V-200 with RBS-70 surface to air missile in one man open roof pedestal mount. Also features two hatches with a pedestal mounted 7.62mm MAG machine gun.

TypeArmored personnel carrier
Crew?
Length?
Width?
Height?
Ground clearance?
Weight12.73 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4
Turn radius?
EngineChrysler 440 CID
275 hp
Power ratio21.6 hp/t
Transmission?
Speed96 km/h on road
Fuel?
Range?
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

V-150

The V-150 was developed when the V-200 was already in production. It can be considered a combination of the V-100 and V-200. The improved V-200 automotive parts were used in a V-100 sized vehicle. The three main models of the V-150 are:
V-150: Baseline V-150 model. Later redesignated LAV-150.
V-150S: Stretched V-150 introduced in 1981. Later redesignated LAV-150 S.
LAV-150 ST: LAV-150 S with turbocharged diesel engine.
The V-150 series was used in a wide variety of configurations:
- Armored personnel carrier with standard roofline and pintle mounted machine gun.
- Armored personnel carrier with parapet and pintle mounted machine guns.
- Armored personnel carrier with one man turret with two machine guns. Models include 7.62mm M73, M60, MAG or 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.
- Command post with parapet and pintle mounted machine gun.
- Reconnaissance vehicle with two man turret with 20mm Oerlikon autocannon.
- Fire support vehicle with two man turret with 90mm MECAR or Cockerill cannon.
- Tank destroyer with parapet and pedestal mounted TOW launcher.
- Recovery vehicle with winch and forward mounted A-frame.
- Mortar carrier with 81mm M29 mortar on turntable in parapet. Taiwan converted some standard roofline V-150S APC's with 107mm M30 mortar.
- Ambulance without armement. Various prototypes used different turrets, such as a one man 20mm turret, a two man 25mm turret and a two man turret with 76mm gun.

TypeReconnaissance vehicle
Crew3 + 2 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 troops)
Length5.69 m (hull)
Width2.26 m
Height1.98 m (hull top), 2.54 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance0.38 m
Weight9.89 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineV-504 V8 diesel, 202 hp at 3.300 rpm
Power ratio20.4 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed88 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range640 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament20mm Oerlikon autocannon
7.62mm coaxial machine gun
7.62mm roof machine gun
Weapon120mm Oerlikon 204 GK autocannon in turret
400 rounds, 200 ready to fire
-8 to +60° elevation, 40°/s powered
360° traverse, 60°/s powered
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm coaxial machine gun
3.200 rounds in total, 400 ready to fire
elevation and traverse as main armament
Weapon37.62mm machine gun on turret roof
3.200 rounds in total, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeFire support vehicle
Crew3 + 4 (commander, driver, gunner, 4 troops)
Length5.69 m (hull)
Width2.26 m
Height?
Ground clearance0.38m
Weight9.89 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineV-504 V8 diesel, 202 hp at 3.300 rpm
Power ratio20.4 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed88 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range640 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament90mm MECAR or Cockerill gun
7.62mm coaxial machine gun
7.62mm roof machine gun
Weapon190mm MECAR or Cockerill Mk III gun in two man turret
39 rounds, 8 ready to fire
-8 to +28° elevation, 30°/s powered
360° traverse, 30°/s powered
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm coaxial machine gun
3.200 rounds in total, 400 ready to fire
elevation and traverse as main armament
Weapon37.62mm machine gun on turret roof
3.200 rounds in total, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeArmored personnel carrier
Crew3 + 7
Length5.69 m
Width2.26 m
Height2.31 m
Ground clearance0.38m
Weight?
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineV-504 V8 diesel, 202 hp at 3.300 rpm
Power ratio?
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed88 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range640 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament7.62mm roof machine gun
Weapon17.62mm machine gun on pedestal mount
2.000 rounds, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeTank destroyer
Crew4 + 2 (commander, driver, gunner, loader, 2 troops)
Length5.69 m
Width2.26 m
Height?
Ground clearance0.38m
Weight8.96 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineV-504 V8 diesel, 202 hp at 3.300 rpm
Power ratio22.5 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed88 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range640 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
ArmamentTOW missile launcher
7.62mm machine gun
Weapon1TOW missile launcher on pedestal mount
7 missiles, 1 ready to fire
-10 to +30° elevation, manual
360° traverse, manual
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm machine gun on pedestal mount
2.000 rounds, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeSelf-propelled mortar
Crew5 (commander, driver, 3 mortar operators)
Length5.69 m
Width2.26 m
Height?
Ground clearance0.38m
Weight8.85 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.67 m wheelbase, 14.50 x21 tires
Turn radius8.4 m
EngineV-504 V8 diesel, 202 hp at 3.300 rpm
Power ratio22.8 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed88 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range640 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament81mm M29 mortar
7.62mm machine gun
Weapon181mm M29 mortar mounted on turntable
62 mortar bombs carried
+40 to +85° elevation, manual
360° traverse, manual
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm machine gun on pedestal mount
2.000 rounds, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeReconnaissance vehicle
Crew3 + 2 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 troops)
Length6.27 m
Width2.39 m
Height1.98 m (hull top), 2.69 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance0.38 m
Weight10.87 t gross vehicle weight
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 4x4, 3.12 m wheelbase, 14.00 x20 tires
Turn radius8.5 m
Engine6 CTA V6 turbo diesel, 250 hp at 2.500 rpm
Power ratio23.0 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed112 km/h on road, 5 km/h in water
Fuel300 L
Range800 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench?
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
FordingAmphibious
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeOptional
Remarks-
Armament20mm Oerlikon autocannon
7.62mm coaxial machine gun
7.62mm roof machine gun
Weapon120mm Oerlikon 204 GK autocannon in turret
400 rounds, 200 ready to fire
-8 to +60° elevation, 40°/s powered
360° traverse, 60°/s powered
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm coaxial machine gun
3.200 rounds in total, 400 ready to fire
elevation and traverse as main armament
Weapon37.62mm machine gun on turret roof
3.200 rounds in total, 200 ready to fire
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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