MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Camp Pendleton’s Light Armored Vehicle units are now feeling some of the upgrades that the Marine Corps has in store for the 25-year-old vehicle.
Blast resistant seats, larger engines and more durable lightweight armor are among the ongoing improvements to the 8-wheel drive vehicle.
“The LAV has taken a complete 180,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chris W. Dye, maintenance officer, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West. “With more protection and better weapon systems we are now even more capable of combat readiness.”
The LAV’s vital in Iraq and Afghanistan has necessitated these upgrades in hopes of extending the vehicles’ service life by 15 years. Upgrades are conducted in phases with the latest LAV-A2 already forward deployed to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
“These upgrades have made an already versatile vehicle even more flexible,” said Private First Class Adam M. Bernd, LAV crewman, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. “The new lightweight armor that’s replaced in pieces is one example of how these upgrades are keeping us in the fight.”
The chameleon-like vehicle has seven variants that include anti-tank, mortar and personnel carrier options. Half of the Corps’ 800 LAV’s are the common LAV-25 carrier-turret variant.
The LAV-25 can accelerate from 0 to 20 mph in less than 10 seconds, maintain 60 mph speeds, climb 60 degree inclines and travel 410-mile on a full tank.
“The LAV is a remarkably fast and agile weapons system,” said Col. Mike Micucci, LAV program manager, Marine Corps Systems Command. “It’s designed to improve lethality, hit probability and survivability.”
Common weapons systems found on the LAV include the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm cannon, two M240G 7.62 mm machine guns and two 4-barrel grenade launchers usually loaded with smoke canisters.
Such equipped forces offer clear advantages in counterinsurgency operations and security cooperation missions, wrote Gen. James T. Conway, commandant, United States Marine Corps to the Secretary of Defense in a March 30 unclassified action memo. Our current and future environment demands a flexible, multi-role force capable of global employment.
We are constantly monitoring technology developments and fleet needs, said Dr. Robert J. Lusardi, deputy program manager, Tank Automotive and Armament, Marine Corps Systems Command.
“The LAV program represents a true success for the Corps,” said Micucci. “This platform provides great capability and operational flexibility to the employing commander.”