LAV A2 Series: 2007

The US LAV series of vehicles is based upon the MOWAG Piranha 1 8x8 APC.  Originally, the US Army (vehicles to be designated M1047) and US Marine Corps were both slated to receive the LAV, but the Army order was cancelled and the USMC received them instead.

Over the years the LAV fleet has been steadily upgraded and improved.  The first major armor upgrade was completed in 1991 which added Light Appliqué System Technique (LAST) ceramic armor.  A second up-armoring effort was initiated in 1998 adding the more capable Composite Ceramic Armor (CCA) system.  Then in 2000 the USMC enacted the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) that would upgrade the entire LAV fleet making them more cost effective to operate yet more capable, reliable and survivable.  Upgrades included new add-on camouflage panels, exhaust system, electrical/electronic systems and the addition of a Heads-Up-Display (HUD).  After a vehicle was fitted with the SLEP upgrades, they were re-designated as an LAV-A1 vehicle.

In 2005, the USMC decided to increase their number of Light Armored Recon Battalions which resulted in having to purchase additional LAV vehicles.  These new LAV-A2’s were based on the newer MOWAG Piranha 2 chassis and incorporated substantial upgrades to the entire vehicles including armor package, suspension, weapons and fire control systems.  In addition, the USMC decided to upgrade all the LAV-A1 vehicles to A2 standards; which are ongoing at this time. Similar non-US vehicles are the Australian ASLAV 25 and Canadian LAV-25 Coyote Armored Recon Vehicle.   

In approximately 2019 the USMC commenced the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Program as the method to select a replacement for the LAV.  Two "official" finalists have submitted prototypes to the USMC as of late 2022.  Textron Systems submitted the Cottonmouth ARV and General Dynamics Land Systems submitted their Advanced Recon Vehicle.  As a side-note, there is a third vehicle being considered by the USMC as an ARV candidate, although it was not formally submitted as a contender. That vehicle is the BAE Systems Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). Since the ACV was already selected by the USMC for their new amphibious assault vehicle, they requested that the series also be considered for the ARV. 

• LAV-105/LAV-AG (Assault Gun)

• LAV-C2 (Command & Control)

• LAV 25 APC

• LAV-L (Logistics)

• LAV-AD (Air Defense)

• LAV-M (Mortar Carrier)

• LAV-AT (Anti-Tank)

• LAV-MEWSS/PIP (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System/Product Improvement Plan)

• LAV-ATWS (Anti-Tank Weapon System)

• LAV-R (Recovery)