LAV-25 is one of the eight LAV models. LAV vehicles are a family of eight-wheeled light armored vehicles with four wheel drive trasferable to 8 wheel drive. They are produced by the General Dynamics Land Systems, Canada. LAV design was based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha I 8×8 family of armored fighting vehicles and they were introduced in the US Army in the early `80s as machines marked by a high degree of adaptability in different combat terrains.
LAV-25 is a remarkably fast armored vehicle powered by a diesel engine which produces 275 hp. The maximum on-land speed they can reach is of 100 km/h. Their rapidity, being one of the main reasons LAV-25 have been so successful, is particularly important from a strategic and tactical point of view inasmuch as it makes it possible to reach the threat quickly and hit it.
Moreover, LAV-25 units can also “swim“(thats why they are also called amphibious vehicles), exception made for oceans.
LAV-25 vehicle do have a two-unit turret as well, on which a cannon and a gun machine are installed, an additional machine gun can be mounted in case of necessity for defense from an air attack. The crew does generally consist of three units: Commander, Driver and a Gunner. The driver station is found in the front left while the engine is located at the right. The other 2 crew members are settled in the turret.
LAV-25`s primary function is troop carrying, i.e. it is an APC (Armored Peronel carrier), the guns and the 25 mm cannon mounted on the turret are meant to facilitate LAV-25`s main role of troop deployment providing the means of defense in case of attack from the enemy units. A LAV-25 vehicle can carry six fully equipped soldiers, three on the rear left wall and three on the rear right wall. The infantrymen can participate in defending the vehicle in case of attack thanks to the firing spots present in the proximities of each seat. The presence of smoke grenade dischargers makes it even more difficult for the enemy to reach them or hit them, while the night vision equipment for the Driver, Commander and Gunner combined with the vehicle`s speed makes it almost impossible for an enemy to escape.
The driver has a total of three day periscopes one of which can be replaced by a thermal vision device, necessary for night vision. The commander, on the other hand, has a total of 7 day periscopes with two levels of laser protection(necessary to immunize vehicle`s crew from injury caused by laser beams) upgradable to three levels of laser protection if necessary.
The Gunner is also provided with a sight observation periscope with two levels of laser protection. Gunner`s periscopes are placed in the left side of the turret roof.
These formidable vehicles were employed for the first time in the late `80s in Panama in the Just Cause Operation. Currently, LAV-25s are being emplyed by the US Army in the Middles East where they are proving to be highly effective.