Type Light Armored Vehicle In service 1986-Present | Place of origin United States Designer Cadillac Gage | |
Variants Fire Support Vehicle, Reconnaissance, Anti-Tank | ||
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, normally being equipped with a 105mm main gun. The vehicle’s armor can withstand impacts from up to 7.62mm ammunition and offers protection against land mines and fragmentation hand grenades. The LAV-600 also features low observability by minimizing of infrared, acoustic and seismic signatures.
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Development and trials
The LAV-600 was developed as a private venture by Cadillac Gage 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 providing a power output of 275 hp (205 kW), 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.
Armament
The complete power operated, low recoil force gun turret 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.
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 resistant coating (CARC) paint against chemical attacks.