ASLAV
ASLAV | |
---|---|
A$2.2M | |
Produced | 1995–2007 |
No. built | 257 |
Variants | See variants |
Specifications | |
Mass | 13.2 t (13.0 long tons) |
Length | 6.53 m (21.4 ft) |
Width | 2.62 m (8.6 ft) |
Height | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) |
Crew | 3 |
Passengers | 6 |
Main armament | M242 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun 210 rounds |
Secondary armament | FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun 1000 rounds |
Engine | Detroit Diesel 6V-53T 205 kW (275 hp) |
Power/weight | 15.53 kW/tonne |
Drive | Wheeled 8x8 |
Transmission | Allison MT653 |
Operational range | 660 km (410 mi) |
Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
References | Australian Army[1] & Jane's[2] |
The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) is an eight-wheeled armoured
Description
The ASLAV is a highly mobile, eight-wheel drive armoured fighting vehicle that can be deployed by land, sea or air, in Royal Australian Air Force C-130s or C-17s. It is fitted with GPS, an intra-vehicular navigation system and a radio harness capable of supporting HF, VHF, UHF and digital radios.[1][4]
The ASLAV is capable of speeds of 100 km/h (62 mph) and has a maximum range in excess of 660 km (410 mi). The eight-wheel drive provides excellent cross-country mobility and redundancy. The vehicle is capable of operation with only four working wheels, and can continue to operate with eight punctured tyres through the use of solid-core run-flat tyres. It is no longer a fully amphibious vehicle.[1][4]
Variants
The ASLAV fleet comprises a number of specialist purpose-designed variants built in three distinct hull configurations.[2][4][5]
ASLAV Type I
The ASLAV Type I is the most numerous type. It is a turreted vehicle derived from the LAV-25 and comes in only one variant.[2][5]
- ASLAV-25 (Reconnaissance) – is an
ASLAV Type II
The ASLAV Type II has no turret and greater internal capacity and is derived from the Canadian
- ASLAV-PC (Personnel Carrier) – is an
- ASLAV-C (Command) – is an Armoured Command Vehicle equipped with an enhanced radio installation and radio masts, map boards, stowage compartments, specialised seating and a stowable annex. In addition to the crew, the ASLAV-C can accommodate three staff officers and provides command and control at the Squadron and Regimental Headquarter level.[2][4][5]
- ASLAV-S (Surveillance) – is a specialised surveillance vehicle equipped with a hydraulically raised mast-mounted thermal imager, laser range finder, day television camera and battlefield surveillance radar AMSTAR. The ASLAV-S supports tactical reconnaissance with ground surveillance and observation and can carry four crew and two occasional troops.[2][5]
- ASLAV-A (Ambulance) – is an Armoured Ambulance and is fitted with specialist medical equipment. In addition to the crew, it can accommodate a medic and three lying patients or six sitting patients.[2][5]
ASLAV Type III
The ASLAV Type III has no turret and is used by members of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for repair and recovery. The ASLAV Type III has a crew of two (commander and driver) and usually carries a third mechanic. It is armed with a pintle-mounted FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun, although some were temporarily fitted with the Kongsberg Protector RWS for service in the Middle East Area of Operations. The ASLAV Type III comes in two variants utilising two specialist MRIKs.[2][5]
- ASLAV-F (Fitter) – is a maintenance support vehicle that provides a protected mobile workshop for field repair personnel, including vehicle parts and tools, and is fitted with a HIAB 650 crane.[2][4][5]
- ASLAV-R (Recovery) – is an
History
The acquisition of the ASLAV family of vehicles for the Australian Army was managed by
In April 1989, the Australian Army purchased 15 ex-United States Marine Corps LAV-25 vehicles at a cost of A$28.4 million under LAND 112 Phase 1. These vehicles were purchased to trial the Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle (WAFV) concept in northern Australia. The trials were conducted by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in 1990–1991. The subsequent report endorsed the WAFV concept, and the Army determined that the LAV was the best vehicle to fulfil the intended role of armoured reconnaissance and surveillance.[5][2][6]
In December 1992, Defence contracted the
In December 1997, the Australian government approved the acquisition of an additional 150 vehicles, later amended to 144. Under LAND 112 Phase 3, the initial contract with the Canadian Commercial Corporation was amended at a cost of A$286.37 million for an additional 144 newly built, improved Phase 3 ASLAVs, an upgrade of the Phase 2 fleet to Phase 3 standard and the provision of supporting ancillary equipment. The Phase 3 vehicles had enhanced offensive capabilities and crew protection, including new electric turret drives, improved thermal sights, integrated laser range finder, a second generation drive line and new suspension components.[5][6]
In the preparations for deployment to Iraq in 2003, 10 ASLAV Type IIs and Type IIIs were fitted with the Kongsberg Protector RWS. In total 59 systems were acquired from Kongsberg for A$17.9 million and fitted to vehicles operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Further upgrades to crew protection for vehicles deployed to Iraq occurred with the fitting of bar armour and internal spall liners to better withstand blasts, small-arms hits and fragmentation.[5][6]
Replacement
The ASLAV is to be replaced in Australian Army service by the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, under LAND 400 Phase 2, with deliveries expected from 2020.[8]
Service
In the Australian Army, the ASLAV equips the Cavalry Squadrons of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. A Cavalry Squadron comprises a headquarters element, an echelon and three sabre troops of four ASLAVs each. Each troop is further broken down into two patrols, each comprising two ASLAV-25s.[9]
The ASLAV equips two squadrons from each of the Australian Army's Armoured Cavalry Regiments, the 1st Armoured Regiment in Adelaide, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Townsville, and the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) in Brisbane, as well as the School of Armour at Puckapunyal.[10][11][12]
Operational service
The Australian Army's ASLAV fleet saw continual operational service from 1999 to 2013.[6][13]
East Timor
On 21 September 1999, C Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment deployed 22 ASLAVs into Dili aboard HMAS Tobruk as a part of International Force East Timor, a further seven ASLAVs being deployed later to East Timor as a part of the commitment. The vehicles were used for a variety of tasks, including convoy escort, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, search, vehicle check points and force presence.[13][14]
Iraq
From 2003 to 2009, the Australian Army deployed ASLAVs to
Afghanistan
From 2006 to 2013, the Australian Army deployed ASLAVs to
Gallery
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ASLAV-25 in Afghanistan
-
Trial LAV-25 at Puckapunyal
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ASLAV-25 rear view
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ASLAVs in Iraq
-
ASLAV-A on exercise
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ASLAV-25 & ASLAV-PC
References
- ^ a b c Australian Army, "Australian Light Armoured Vehicle", www.army.gov.au, retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, "Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) programme", janes.ihs.com, retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-78274-725-3.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-921-94177-1.
- ^ ISBN 0-642-80927-5.
- ^ ISSN 1324-6550.
- ^ Jesser, John (21 March 1987). "Government opts for wheeled armoured vehicles for Darwin". The Canberra Times. p. 10. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, "Land Combat Vehicle System", www.defence.gov.au, retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ISSN 1448-2843.
- OCLC 808384287.
- OCLC 808384287.
- OCLC 808384287.
- ^ ISBN 0-415-33580-9.
- ISBN 978-0-8330-4413-6.
- ISBN 978-1-107-04365-7.
- ISBN 9781849086110.
- ISSN 1324-6550.
External links
- Army Technology, "ASLAV-25 Light Armoured Vehicle", www.army-technology.com, retrieved 4 October 2018.
- Army Recognition, "ASLAV 8x8 light armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications", www. armyrecognition.com, retrieved 4 October 2018.
- Tank Encyclopedia, "ASLAV", www.tanks-encyclopedia.com, retrieved 4 October 2018.