NZLAV
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| NZLAV | |
|---|---|
 New Zealand LAVs |
|
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 19.85 tonnes (21.88 tons) (Including Add-on-Armour) |
| Length | 7.54m (296 in) |
| Width | 2.715m (112 in) |
| Height | 2.874m (139 in) |
| Crew | 3 (Driver, Gunner and Crew Commander) + up to 8 troops. |
|
|
|
| Armor | Add-on-Armour |
| Primary armament |
25mm M242 Bushmaster Automatic Cannon |
| Secondary armament |
2 x 7.62mm MAG 58 Machine Guns (1 mounted coaxial to cannon and 1 mounted on turret), 8 x 76mm grenade dischargers. |
| Engine | Caterpillar 3126 HEUI 350 hp (260 kW) |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic |
| Operational range |
450 km |
| Speed | 109 km/h |
The NZLAV armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a variant of the General Dynamics LAV III. The New Zealand army purchased 105 vehicles in 2003. It was developed by Canada and is the primary armoured vehicle of the New Zealand military. The United States Army uses a very similar, more lightly armed vehicle, the Stryker. The NZLAV is an 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle with a 25 mm cannon, and can reach speeds of 109 kilometres per hour. The NZLAV (like the LAV III) is C130 transportable.
The vehicle is currently used by:
- 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment,
- Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles,
- 16 Field Regiment, and
- 2 Engineer Regiment.
The Combat School in Waiouru conducts all crewman courses and tradesman courses are conducted by the Trade Training School in Trentham.
[edit] Variants
There are currently 3 variants in service with the NZ Army:
- 95 x Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV) - The standard vehicle used in cavalry, reconnaissance, and forward observer roles.
- 7 x Light Obstacle Blade (LOB) - An IMV fitted with a small blade for minor earth works and clearing of obstacles.
- 3 x Recovery (LAV-R) - Vehicle fitted with a TR200 winch and earth anchor for recovery operations.
A number of vehicles are fitted with laser warning receivers and TR80 self recovery winches.
As at 13 August 2007, vehicles were issued to the units and schools in the quantities below:
- 16 Field Regiment 3
- Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles 19
- 1 RNZIR 46
- 2 Engineer Regiment 6
- Combat School 22
- Logistics Executive 1
- Trade Training School 3
Four vehicles are assigned to a maintenance pool and one vehicle is held in Canada for testing.
