The LAV-25 is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored recon vehicle based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha I 8x8 vehicle. The Marines put them into service in 1983. The U.S. Army was also interested but declined at that time. They did go with the Stryker at a later date, which is based on the LAV III, which is also based on a MOWAG vehicle. The Army did, however, borrow about a dozen of the LAV-25 vehicles from the Marines which were used in the Gulf War by the 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne. The Marines ordered over 750 LAV-25's of all available variants.
They first saw combat during the Invasion of Panama in 1989. They have been in service since that time in the Gulf War, the Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan. In recent years, a Marine light armored recon battalion will typically use 56 LAV-25's and 44 other variants, plus a unknown number of LAV-MEWSS (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System, the details of which remain classified). The current plan sees them in use until the year 2035. They must be a fairly reliable vehicle to have been in use for over 30 years and 20 more planned in a time when technology has been and continues to be changing at a rate probably never thought possible.
The LAV-25 is powered by a turbo charged 275 hp Detroit Diesel engine. They can run 4-wheel drive, in which the four rear wheels are used or can be transferred to 8-wheel drive. They are capable of going 60+ mph and have a range of over 400 miles. They are also able, as an amphibious vehicle to operate in non-surf water conditions, an reach speeds of about 8 mph. The amphibious role is currently being limited and possibly removed from the vehicle. They use a crew of three and can carry four passengers with full combat gear.
The business end of these vehicles features an M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun. Spitting out up to 500 rounds per minute, this cannon can deliver a 25x137mm shell at a 3600ft/s muzzle velocity. If that finds its target, it can ruin someone's weekend plans in a hurry. The LAV-25 is also equipped with two M240 machine guns (7.62x51mm). It is safe to say that a dedicated crew is more than capable of of taking care of business.
Upgrades have continued on the LAV-25 since the 1990's. Through the upgrades, variants have been designated the LAV-25A1 and the more recent LAV-25A2, for which funding was reportedly approved. These phase I upgrades added features including, increased external and internal ballistic armor, fire suppression systems, and suspension upgrades to compensate for the heavier armor. The armor upgrades will increase protection from 14.5mm armor piercing rounds and also add an anti-spall lining similar to the Army's LAVIII "Stryker" vehicles. This armor also provides increased protection form IED's. Phase II upgrades include the turret drive system and the sighting systems.
The LAV-25's have several derivatives which include Anti-Tank, Mortar, Recovery, Command & Control, Logistics, Expeditionary Fire Support Systems(which upgrades the mortar capability with a recoil-less rifle version) and the previously mentioned, highly classified, Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System.
All of these features, upgrades, variants and derivatives make the LAV-25 one seriously versatile, highly functional and reliable piece of machinery. The Marines have been depending on them for over 30 years and they have served each other well.
POHANG, South Korea (March 29, 2006) - Staff Sgt. Heighnbaugh, a platoon sgt. with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon (reinforced), Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, fires an M240G medium machinegun on a light armored vehicle at the Su Song Ri Range here during Exercise Foal Eagle 2006. The BLT is the ground combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
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