LAV-300
Encyclopedia
The Cadillac Gage
Textron
LAV-300 is a family of American light armored vehicles (LAVs) including up to 15 configurations. LAV-300 offers high mobility, speeds of up to 65 mi/h, and can be air-transported by a C-5 Galaxy
, C-141 Starlifter
, C-17 Globemaster III
and C-130 Hercules
cargo aircraft
. Some versions can be air-transported by CH-53E Super Stallion
helicopter.
The LAV-300 is no longer offered for sales.
series. The Philippine Marines were supplied with an armored personnel carrier (APC) version with a turret armed with a .50 caliber and 7.62 mm machine gun
and a fire support version armed with a Cockerill 90 mm Mk III. The Marine Corps
had wanted the US-built LVTP7A1 (now called the AAVP-7A1) amphibious armored landing vehicle, and 36 vehicles were offered in the 1980s; however, partisan political and financial interests shot down the deal. Instead, V-150s were secured through FMS. In 1991, LAV-300s were proposed as the Philippine Marine Corps' share in the US bases compensation package. The Marines accepted them but mandated modifications to better suit their needs: pump jets for amphibious operations, a rear ramp for the easier discharge of troops, and a trim-vane. Smoke grenade launchers and the winch
were scrapped to trim costs.
(MILF) in Kauswagan and the clearing of the Narciso Ramos Highway, among many recent battles.
bullets at point-blank range and from any angle. Upgradeable armor floor plating protects the crew from landmines and hand grenade
blasts. The survivability is further enhanced from low observable technology to minimize levels of thermal, seismic and audio signatures, and minimal radar return.
allows for acceleration from 0 to 20 mi/h in less than 10 seconds and can run on Jet-A fuel, kerosene
and other lighter fuels when diesel is in short supply. The six-wheel, dual hydraulic brake
s permit the vehicle to go from 20 mi/h to 0 in approximately 40 feet (12.2 m). LAV-300 MK II’s operating range is 575 miles (925.4 km).
, ambulance
and armored recovery vehicle.
The following turret
s are available for the LAV-300:
Cadillac Gage
Textron Marine & Land Systems is an American military contractor that manufactures armored vehicles, turrets, advanced marine craft, surface effects ships, and other weapon systems...
Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
LAV-300 is a family of American light armored vehicles (LAVs) including up to 15 configurations. LAV-300 offers high mobility, speeds of up to 65 mi/h, and can be air-transported by a C-5 Galaxy
C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
, C-141 Starlifter
C-141 Starlifter
The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
, C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
and C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
cargo aircraft
Cargo aircraft
A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo...
. Some versions can be air-transported by CH-53E Super Stallion
CH-53E Super Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. It was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. Sailors commonly refer to the Super...
helicopter.
The LAV-300 is no longer offered for sales.
History
The LAV-300 6x6 series is the complement to Textron’s Marine and Land Division’s (formally Cadillac Gage) 4x4 CommandoCadillac Gage V-100 Commando
The Cadillac Gage Commando is a 4x4 amphibious armored car built by the American firm Cadillac Gage. The vehicle has been outfitted for many roles, including armored personnel carrier, ambulance, fire apparatus, anti-tank vehicle, and mortar carrier. They saw service in the Vietnam war where it...
series. The Philippine Marines were supplied with an armored personnel carrier (APC) version with a turret armed with a .50 caliber and 7.62 mm machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
and a fire support version armed with a Cockerill 90 mm Mk III. The Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
had wanted the US-built LVTP7A1 (now called the AAVP-7A1) amphibious armored landing vehicle, and 36 vehicles were offered in the 1980s; however, partisan political and financial interests shot down the deal. Instead, V-150s were secured through FMS. In 1991, LAV-300s were proposed as the Philippine Marine Corps' share in the US bases compensation package. The Marines accepted them but mandated modifications to better suit their needs: pump jets for amphibious operations, a rear ramp for the easier discharge of troops, and a trim-vane. Smoke grenade launchers and the winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
were scrapped to trim costs.
Recent Employment
Like virtually all wheeled amphibious armored vehicles, the LAV-300 can only safely navigate calm bodies of water such as lakes and some rivers. Still, the Philippine Marine Corps makes full use of it, using these vehicles to great advantage in the campaigns against the Moro Islamic Liberation FrontMoro Islamic Liberation Front
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an Islamist group located in the southern Philippines. It is one of two Islamic militant groups, the other being the Abu Sayyaf, that are fighting against Government of the Philippines...
(MILF) in Kauswagan and the clearing of the Narciso Ramos Highway, among many recent battles.
Armor
The LAV-300's armor is composed of a high-hardness steel armor employed on a minimum silhouette hull capable of withstanding impacts of 7.62 mm caliber7.62 mm caliber
7.62 mm caliber is a nominal caliber used for a number of different cartridges. Historically, this class of cartridge was commonly known as .30 caliber, the Imperial unit equivalent, and was most commonly used for indicating a class of full power military main battle rifle cartridges...
bullets at point-blank range and from any angle. Upgradeable armor floor plating protects the crew from landmines and hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
blasts. The survivability is further enhanced from low observable technology to minimize levels of thermal, seismic and audio signatures, and minimal radar return.
Maneuverability
Highly mobile, the LAV-300 MK II is fully amphibious with no need for preparation for fording or swimming. The tires are radial tubeless and can be outfitted with run-flat inserts and a central tire inflation system, to further enhance mobility. LAV-300 MK II can climb a 60 percent gradient, operate on a 30 percent side slope, and tackle two-foot-high obstacles.Engine
LAV-300 MK II’s turbocharged diesel engineDiesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
allows for acceleration from 0 to 20 mi/h in less than 10 seconds and can run on Jet-A fuel, kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
and other lighter fuels when diesel is in short supply. The six-wheel, dual hydraulic brake
Hydraulic brake
The hydraulic brake is an arrangement of braking mechanism which uses brake fluid, typically containing ethylene glycol, to transfer pressure from the controlling unit, which is usually near the operator of the vehicle, to the actual brake mechanism, which is usually at or near the wheel of the...
s permit the vehicle to go from 20 mi/h to 0 in approximately 40 feet (12.2 m). LAV-300 MK II’s operating range is 575 miles (925.4 km).
Configurations
The LAV-300 has fifteen different configurations--the most common being: command, armored personnel carrier, anti-tank, military logisticsMilitary logistics
Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...
, ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
and armored recovery vehicle.
The following turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
s are available for the LAV-300:
- 7.62 mm machine gunMachine gunA machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
combined with 12.7 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm or 40 mm guns - 20 mm anti-aircraft gun
- BGM-71 TOWBGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
anti-tank guided missileAnti-tank guided missileAn anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles.... - 90 mm gun
- 81 mm and 120 mm mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
s.