LAV-600
Encyclopedia
The Cadillac Gage Textron LAV-600 is an American light armored 6 × 6 wheeled vehicle, derived from the LAV-300
. Developed by Cadillac Gage
as a private venture, the LAV-600 offers superior firepower and mobility to the LAV-300. The vehicle’s armor can withstand impacts from up to 7.62mm ammunition and offers protection against land mine
s and fragmentation hand grenade
s. The LAV-600 also features low observability by minimizing of infrared
, acoustic
and seismic signatures.
targeting the export market. The first prototype of the LAV-600 was built in 1985 and development was announced on the same year. Previously known as LAV-300 A1, it was named LAV-600 in 1986. The vehicle is now manufactured by Textron Marine & Land Systems.
Gunnery trials carried out with the 105 mm gun were very successful. These trials included firing the gun at all angles of elevation and firing with the turret traversed 90 degrees to the vehicle’s centerline, the results of both being satisfactory. Mobility and firepower trials were carried out in late 1988 in Egypt.
Powered by a turbocharged 6CTA 8.3 diesel engine
providing a power output of 275 hp, the LAV-600 includes an Allison fully automatic transmission with six forward gears. The vehicle can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h, and has a range of 600 km.
Inclusion of low observable technologies for reconnaissance operations are also supported, such as minimization of infrared signatures, acoustic signatures and seismic signatures. A Halon
fire detection and suppression system can be used for the vehicle.
The LAV-600 is designed to allow it to be air-transported using C-5 Galaxy
, C-141 Starlifter
, C-17 Globemaster III
and C-130 Hercules
aircraft.
of the Stingray light tank
is used on the LAV-600. This incorporates a BAE Systems RO Defence 105 mm M-68 gun as the primary weapon of the LAV-600. A computerized fire control system
is used for this weapon, with the power operated winch mounted at the front of the hull. The gunner's sight has a laser rangefinder
system. The turret has a traverse arc of 360 degrees.
As the auxiliary weapon, it is fitted with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
. Air defense is also provided by a roof mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. This can be replaced by a 12.7mm M2 HB machine gun.
The LAV-600 features an optional nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system, and also includes chemical agent
resistant coating (CARC) paint against chemical attacks.
LAV-300
The Cadillac Gage Textron LAV-300 is a family of American light armored vehicles including up to 15 configurations. LAV-300 offers high mobility, speeds of up to , and can be air-transported by a C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter, C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft...
. Developed by Cadillac Gage
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...
as a private venture, the LAV-600 offers superior firepower and mobility to the LAV-300. The vehicle’s armor can withstand impacts from up to 7.62mm ammunition and offers protection against land mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s and fragmentation 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...
s. The LAV-600 also features low observability by minimizing of infrared
Infrared signature
The term infrared signature is used by defense scientists and the military to describe the appearance of objects to infrared sensors. An infrared signature depends on many factors, including the shape and size of the object, temperature and emissivity, reflection of external sources from the...
, acoustic
Acoustic signature
Acoustic signature is used to describe a combination of acoustic emissions of ships and submarines.-Contributing factors:The acoustic signature is made up of a number of individual elements...
and seismic signatures.
Development and trials
The LAV-600 was developed as a private venture by Cadillac GageCadillac 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...
targeting the export market. The first prototype of the LAV-600 was built in 1985 and development was announced on the same year. Previously known as LAV-300 A1, it was named LAV-600 in 1986. The vehicle is now manufactured by Textron Marine & Land Systems.
Gunnery trials carried out with the 105 mm gun were very successful. These trials included firing the gun at all angles of elevation and firing with the turret traversed 90 degrees to the vehicle’s centerline, the results of both being satisfactory. Mobility and firepower trials were carried out in late 1988 in Egypt.
Features
The LAV-600 uses many components of the LAV-300, and also several improved components, including heavier armor, better vision devices and weapons.Powered by a turbocharged 6CTA 8.3 diesel engine
Diesel 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...
providing a power output of 275 hp, the LAV-600 includes an Allison fully automatic transmission with six forward gears. The vehicle can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h, and has a range of 600 km.
Inclusion of low observable technologies for reconnaissance operations are also supported, such as minimization of infrared signatures, acoustic signatures and seismic signatures. A Halon
Halon
Halon can refer to:* Haloalkane, or halogenoalkane, a group of chemical compounds consisting of alkanes with linked halogens. In particular, bromine-containing haloalkanes.* Halomethane fire extinguishing systems...
fire detection and suppression system can be used for the vehicle.
The LAV-600 is designed to allow it to be air-transported using 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...
aircraft.
Armament
The complete power operated, low recoil force gun turretGun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
of the Stingray light tank
Stingray Light Tank
The Stingray Light Tank is a light tank produced by Textron Marine and Land Systems Division . It was originally developed for the U.S. Army's Armored Gun System competition. Thailand is the only user.- Stingray :...
is used on the LAV-600. This incorporates a BAE Systems RO Defence 105 mm M-68 gun as the primary weapon of the LAV-600. A computerized fire control system
Fire-control system
A fire-control system is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. It performs the same task as a human gunner firing a weapon, but attempts to do so faster and more...
is used for this weapon, with the power operated winch mounted at the front of the hull. The gunner's sight has a laser rangefinder
Laser range-finder
A laser rangefinder is a device which uses a laser beam to determine the distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in a narrow beam towards the object and measuring the time taken by the pulse to be reflected...
system. The turret has a traverse arc of 360 degrees.
As the auxiliary weapon, it is fitted with a 7.62 mm coaxial 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....
. Air defense is also provided by a roof mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. This can be replaced by a 12.7mm M2 HB machine gun.
Protection
The hull and turret are of welded cadloy armored steel which provides protection against hits from up to 7.62 mm ammunition, shell splinters and fragmentation hand grenades. The armor floor plates provide protection against land mines. Armor plates can be fitted on to the hull for additional protection against ballistic impacts. Optionally, run-flat inserts can be used on the tires.The LAV-600 features an optional nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system, and also includes chemical agent
Chemical warfare
Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from Nuclear warfare and Biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical...
resistant coating (CARC) paint against chemical attacks.