| LAV-25: General | |||
| Date of first acceptance | 1983 | Total acceptances | 467 by 2003 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors Canada | Crew |
|
| LAV-25: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 28,400lbs 12,900kg |
Height over turret | 100.9" 256.3cm |
| Length | 252.6" 641.6cm |
Width | 98.4" 250cm |
| Tread | Front: 85.8" Rear: 86.8" Front: 218cm Rear: 220cm |
Wheelbase | Front to 2nd axle: 43.3" Front to 3rd axle: 95.9" Front to rear axle: 136.8" Front to 2nd axle: 110cm Front to 3rd axle: 244cm Front to rear axle: 347.5cm |
| Ground clearance | 14.9" 37.8cm |
Fire Height | ~83" ~210cm |
| LAV-25: Armament | ||||||
| Type | Mount | Ammunition | Traverse | Max traverse rate | Elevation | Max elevation rate |
| 25mm Chain Gun M242 Bushmaster | Turret | 630 rounds (210 ready) |
360° (manual and hydraulic) |
36°/sec | +60° to -8° (manual and hydraulic) |
25°/sec |
| 7.62mm M240 MG | Coaxial to 25mm gun | 1,600 rounds | 360° (manual and hydraulic) |
36°/sec | +60° to -8° (manual and hydraulic) |
25°/sec |
| 7.62mm M60 or M240E1 MG | Flexible in turret pintle mount | Manual | -- | Manual | -- | |
| Aiming equipment | ||||||
| Periscope M36/LAV for gunner and commander | ||||||
| Stabilizer | ||||||
| Azimuth and elevation | ||||||
| Night vision | ||||||
| image intensifying periscope M36/LAV for gunner and commander, image intensifying periscope for driver | ||||||
| LAV-25: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Hull | ||
| Rolled hard homogeneous steel | ||
| Turret | ||
| Rolled hard homogeneous steel |
| LAV-25: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | General Motors 6V53T; 6 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee, supercharged diesel | ||||
| Horsepower | Gross: 275@2,800rpm | Torque | Gross: 586 ft-lb@2,000rpm | Fuel capacity | 71gal 270L |
| Transmission | Allison MT653, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse | ||||
| Steering | Steering wheel | ||||
| Brakes | Pneumatic-hydraulic | ||||
| LAV-25: Suspension | ||
| Type | Road wheels | Shock absorbers |
| Front 2 axles: Independent coil spring Rear 2 axles: Torsion bar |
4/side | On each wheel |
| LAV-25: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 62mph 100kph |
Max water speed | 6.5mph 10kph |
| Max trench | 68.4" 165cm |
Max grade | 60% |
| Max vertical obstacle | 19.7" 50.0cm |
Min turning diameter | 50.8' 15.5m |
| Max fording depth | Floats | Cruising range | ~400mi, roads ~640km, roads |
The LAV-25 was based on the 8-wheel version of the MOWAG Piranha. Power was able to be sent to all 8 or the rear 4 wheels, and water propulsion was via two propellers at the rear of the hull. A 15,000lb (6,800kg) winch was mounted in the left-front hull. The passenger compartment could accommodate six passengers (although four scouts are normally carried), and there were two doors in the hull rear and two hatches in the hull roof behind the turret. When the rear roof hatches are open, sensors prevent the M242 and coaxial machine gun from firing to the rear. The ready ammunition for the 25mm gun consisted of 60 armor-piercing (AP) and 150 high-explosive (HE) rounds; the coaxial MG had a 400-round ready box. The turret weighed 1,815kg (4,001lb), was 162.5cm (63.98") wide, and 434.6cm (171.1") long. Two sets of two 12-volt batteries were connected in series for the vehicle's 24-volt electrical system. A fixed 9.0lb (4.1kg) Halon fire extinguisher was present, and two 2.75lb (1.25kg) portable Halon extinguishers were also carried. During the Gulf War deployment in early 1991, an external thermal sight was added for the vehicle commander. This was later replaced with an integrated thermal sight for the gunner that featured a remote display for the commander. Similarly, a thermal viewer for the driver replaced his image intensifying periscope. The base armor was proof against 7.62mm ball and artillery fragments, and applique armor could be added to proof the vehicle against 14.5mm ammunition. Protection against 20mm AP was provided by Composite Ceramic Armor kits that were first procured in 1998.
A service life extension program (SLEP) was initiated in 2000. Visual and thermal characteristics were ameliorated by applique camouflage panels and modification to the engine exhaust. Reliability was increased by enhancing corrosion resistance and replacement and improvement of unreliable electronics, and the driver was provided with a heads-up display. Vehicles that underwent the SLEP were designated LAV-25A1, and these entered service in May 2003.
February 2006 saw General Dynamics awarded a contract to produce new 125 vehicles and upgrade existing machines to LAV-25A2 standard. Reflecting knowledge gained in Iraq and Afghanistan, the -A2 LAVs could use a three-tier applique armor suite to help protect against improvised explosive devices as well as kinetic energy penetrators; the hull's internal protection was also increased. An automatic fire suppression system was installed, and the turret hydraulics were replaced by an electric system to mitigate fire risk. The gunner was provided with the AN/PAS-13 Improved Thermal Sight System with laser rangefinder. Weight increases imposed by the upgrades necessitated replacing the suspension torsion bars, shock absorbers, struts, steering knuckles, and drive shafts by stouter components. The LAV-25A2 entered service in October 2007.
