Two LAV-AT in desert camoulage with TOW launcher in raised position.
Source: US Marine Corps -
© Public domain
The LAV-AT is a tank destroyer of US origin. It was developed for use by the US Marine Corps. The LAV-AT is based on the chassis of the LAV-25 series of wheeled armored vehicles.
The LAV-AT looks similar to the LAV-25, but features the distinctive "hammerhead" missile launcher. The launcher is lowered when on the move, and raised in the firing position. The crew of four consist of a commander, driver, gunner and loader. The engine and driver are located at the front, the rest of the crew in the middle and the launcher and additional missiles are further at the rear.
The LAV-AT features the same Emerson 901 Hammerhead missile launcher as developed for use on the M901 Improved TOW Vehicle. This turret has two TOW wire-guided missiles ready to launch. An additional 14 missiles are carried internally. The TOW missile has a range of 3.75 km. Over time these vehicles were upgraded to fire the TOW-2 series of missiles. For self-defense there is a 7.62mm M240 machine gun on a pintle mount.
The wheeled 8x8 chassis provides the LAV-AT with good mobility on roads and reasonable cross country performance. The Detroit Diesel turbocharged diesel engine provides up to 275 hp. Maximum speed on roads is 100 km/h and the operational range is 650 km. The LAV-AT is amphibious and its two propellers allow for a speed of up to 10 km/h in the water. Furthermore, the LAV-AT can be airlifted by C-130 Hercules aircraft and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters.
In order to be highly mobile and amphibious the armor protection is limited for todays standards. The steel armor provides a degree of protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The missiles are launched and reloaded from under armor protection.
The LAV-AT was acquired by the US Marine Corps and later by the Saudi Arabian National Guard. A total of 95 vehicles were produced for the USMC. These vehicles became operational in the late 1980's and remain in service today. A number of vehicles was modernized to LAV-ATM standard. Those vehicles are refitted with the same turret as used on the Stryker ATGM.
LAV-AT with its twin TOW turret traversed to the rear during an exercise in 1997.
Source: US Marine Corps -
© Public domain
The LAV-AT is a variant of the LAV-25 family of wheeled armored fighting vehicles.
The LAV-AT is the US Marine Core counterpart to the Army's M901 Improved TOW Vehicle. Both vehicles use the same Emerson turret with two TOW missiles ready to fire.
The Stryker ATGM fulfills a similar role as the LAV-AT. The Stryker is based on a more modern chassis and features a turret with better optics and fire control systems.
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