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LAV-25



Overview

LAV-25

Right side view of US Marine Corps LAV-25 in 2013.
Source: US Marine Corps - © Public domain

Origin
Canada
Switzerland
Type
Infantry fighting vehicle
Entered service
1983
Status
In service
Development
1979 - 1981
Developer
Canada - General Motors of Canada
Production
1982 - 1988 for USMC
Producer
Canada - General Motors of Canada (later GDLS)
Number produced
422 in LAV-25 configuration
Designations
LAV | Light Armored Vehicle
Notable users
United States - US Marine Corps
Saudi Arabia - National Guard

Description

Introduction

The LAV-25 is a late Cold War era infantry fighting vehicle of Canadian origin. The LAV-25 is part of the Piranha family of vehicles and was specifically developed for the United States Marine Corps. A family of vehicles was developed on this chassis.

Design

The LAV-25 is based on the 8x8 variant of the Swiss Piranha design. The LAV-25 for the USMC is a separate sub-family to meet US requirements and being produced in Canada. The engine is located in the front, a turret is fitted in the middle and the passenger compartment at the rear has two rear doors and several roof hatches. The LAV-25 was the first Piranha type vehicle to be equipped with an autocannon as standard armament.

Firepower

The two man turret has a stabilized 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon with coaxial 7.62mm M240 machine gun. A second machine gun is fitted on a pintle mount. A total of 630 rounds are carried for the autocannon, of which 210 are ready to fire.

Protection

The LAV-25 has steel armor of a relatively limited level of protection. The armor should protect the crew and passengers against small arms fire and shell splinters. The tires are of the run flat type. Applique armor kits have been developed. An NBC system is fitted as well as two banks of smoke grenade dischargers on the turret.

Mobility

The 8x8 wheeled chassis provides a very good mobility on roads and reasonable mobility in difficult terrain. The LAV-25 is fitted with the 6V-53T diesel engine which is also used in the tracked M113A3. Power to weight ratio is good and the maximum speed on roads is 100 km/h. The LAV-25 is amphibious and is powered in the water by two small propellers located near the rear wheels.

Users

The LAV-25 was adopted by the United States Marine Corps. Becoming operational in the early 1980's. Over 400 were acquired in the LAV-25 configuration. Six other configurations for other roles were acquired as well. Hundreds more were acquired by the Saudi Arabia National Guard.

Variants

LAV-25

US Marine Corps LAV-25 on parade in 2015.
Source: mark6mauno - © CC BY 2.0

List of LAV-25 variants

LAV-25
Original model as introduced in 1983. Older applique kit rated against 14.5mm ammunition over frontal arc. Improved kit rated against 20mm AP introduced in 1998.
LAV-25A1
Vehicles that have been subject to a service life extension program (SLEP) carried out since 2000 and in service since 2003. Many electronic systems replaced by newer ones and the exhaust and camouflage reduce the IR signature.
LAV-25A2
Further improvement initiated in 2006. Three-tier applique armor suite, automatic fire suppression, hydraulics replaced by electric drive and addition of AN/PAS-31 ITAS thermal sight with laser range finder. Drivetrain and suspension strengthened to cope with the increased weight.

Details

Facts LAV-25
General
Origin
Canada
Type
Infantry fighting vehicle
Crew
3 + 6 (commander, driver, gunner, 6 passengers)
Dimensions
Weight
12.9 t combat load
10.9 t empty
Length
6.42 m
Width
2.50 m
Height
2.56 m turret roof
2.69 m overall
Main armament
Type
25mm M242 autocannon
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
630 rounds, 210 ready to fire
Elevation
-8° to +60°, powered
Elevation rate
25°/s
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
25°/s
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm M240 machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
1.600 rounds in total, 400 ready to fire
Traverse
Coaxial with main armament
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm M240 machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
1.600 rounds in total, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevantion
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 8x8
Steering
Front two axles
Tire size
11.00 x16
Tread
2.18 m
Wheelbase
1.10 + 1.44 + 1.04 m
Suspension
Coil spring on front axles
Torsion bar on rear axles
Water crossing
Twin propeller
Automotive
Engine model
Detroit Diesel 6V-53T
Engine type
6-cylinder water-cooled turbocharged diesel
Power output
275 hp at 2.800 rpm
Torque
795 Nm at 2.000 rpm
Transmission
Allison MT 653
5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
270 L
Mobility
Speed
100 km/h on road
10 km/h afloat
Range
640 km on road
Turn radius
15.5 m
Power to weight ratio
21.3 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.5 m
Trench
1.65 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Run flat tires
Optional applique armor packages
Armor thickness
About 7 mm
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
2x4 smoke grenade discharger
Equipment
Night vision
Yes
Radio
Yes
Winch
6.8 t capacity
Towed load
8 t

LAV-25 family of vehicles

LAV-AT

Two LAV-AT in desert camoulage with TOW launcher in raised position.

Source: US Marine Corps - © Public domain

List of USMC LAV variants

LAV-25
Infantry fighting vehicle with 25mm autocannon. A total of 422 produced.
LAV-AT
Tank destroyer fitted with twin TOW launcher. A total of 96 produced.
LAV-M
Mortar carrier armed with 81mm M252 mortar firing from the rear compartment. A total of 50 produced.
LAV-C
Command post vehicle. A total of 50 produced.
LAV-R
Recovery vehicle. A total of 46 produced.
LAV-L
Armored logistics vehicle. A total of 94 produced.
LAV-AD
Air defense vehicle.

Media

Subcomponents

25mm Bushmaster

The 25mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon is the main armament of the LAV-25.

Read more about 25mm Bushmaster

FN MAG Coaxial

The 7.62mm M240 is used as a coaxial machine gun.

Read more about FN MAG Coaxial