LAV III Kodiak Canadian Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
LAV III Kodiak
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Other
Basic Information
Name
LAV III Kodiak Canadian Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Designation
LAV III Kodiak
Alternate Designation
LAV III Kodiak
Equipment Type
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Manufacturer
General Dynamics Land Systems
Date of Introduction
1999
Description
The LAV III, originally named the Kodiak by the Canadian Army, is the third generation of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) family of infantry fighting vehicles built by General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C), a London, Ontario, based subsidiary of General Dynamics that first entered service in 1999. It was developed in Canada from the LAV II family and is the primary mechanized infantry vehicle of both the Canadian Army and the New Zealand Army. It also forms the basis of the Stryker vehicle used by the US Army and other operators.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Engine
Diesel (350 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Range
500.0 km
Variants
TOW Under Armour (TUA)
Standard LAV III turret replaced with TOW Under Armour launcher for anti-tank purposes
Infantry Section Carrier (ISC)
Surplus LAV TUA hulls fitted with a Nanuk Remotely Controlled Weapon Station.
Observation Post Vehicle (OPV)
Standard LAV III equipped for use by forward observation officer (FOO).
Command Post Vehicle (CPV)
Standard LAV III equipped for command post duties.
Engineer LAV (ELAV)
LAV III equipped with a dozer blade and other engineering equipment.
Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV)
Standard NZLAV vehicle used in cavalry, reconnaissance, and forward observer roles.
Light Obstacle Blade (LOB)
An NZLAV IMV fitted with a small blade for minor earth works and clearing of obstacles.
Recovery (LAV-R)
NZLAV vehicle fitted with a TR200 winch and earth anchor for recovery operations.
Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle (MMEV)
The project was canceled in 2005
LAV UP
or LAV 6.0 is an upgraded version of the LAV III. Since 2011 Canadian Army signed contracts to upgrade 616 of its LAV III vehicles to the new standard. Deliveries reportedly commenced in 2015 and are planned to be completed in 2017. Upgraded vehicles have a double V-shaped hull for improved protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices. Upgraded vehicle has a more powerful engine, developing 450 hp. Other improvements include new turret sights and improved fire control system. It is planned that upgraded Canadian vehicles will remain operational until 2035. The LAV 6.0 is also being proposed for various export customers. Saudi Arabia ordered a large number of these armored vehicles.
System
Alternative Designation
LAV III Kodiak
Type
Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Manufacturer
General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C)
Family
LAV III Series
Configuration
8x8
Crew
3 ea
Passenger Capacity
8 ea
Dimensions
Length
6.98 m
Width
2.83 m
Height
1.955 m
Weight, Standard
18,373 kg
Weight, Combat
20,459 kg
Ground Clearance
0.595 m
Automotive
Engine Name
Caterpillar 3126B
Engine Type
Diesel
Engine Power
350 hp
Power-to-Weight Ratio
17.1 hp/t
Fuel Capacity
300 liters
Electrical System
24 V
Suspension
independent hydropneumatic with height control
Tires
12.00 × 20
Brakes
power brakes
Range
500 km
Speed, Maximum Road
99.77 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Main Weapon System
System
Name
1 × turret-mounted 25mm M242 Chain-Driven Autocannon
Type
Chain-Driven Autocannon
Caliber
25 mm
Length
2,672 mm
Barrel Length
2,175 mm
Width
318 mm
Height
373 mm
Weight
119 kg
Barrels
Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist)
Action
Open bolt
Rate of Fire
Cyclic: 200rpm with 1hp or 500rpm with 8hp
Muzzle Velocity
1,100 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
6,800 m
Effective Firing Range
3,000 m
Sights
The LAV III is equipped with a daytime optical Thermal Imaging System (TIS) and Generation III Image Intensification (II). The LAV III is equipped with a Tactical Navigation System (TacNav) to assist in navigation and target location tasks. The LAV III is equipped with an LCD monitor directly connected to the vehicle's external cameras, providing real-time images of the battlefield for the passengers.
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
25 mm
Shell
25×137 mm
Basic Load
420 Rounds
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 × coaxial-mounted 7.62 mm
C6A1 FLEX machine gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Manufacturer
INA
Length
1,260 mm
Barrel Length
630 mm
Weight, Unloaded
11.8 kg
Action
Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt
Cyclic Rate of Fire
750–1,100 rds/min
Maximum Firing Range
3, 725 m
Effective Firing Range
1,800 m
Feed System
M13 linked belt
Sights,
Folding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade
Note
The C6A1 FLEX is the Canadian manufactured upgrade of the C6 GPMG. It is manufactured under license specifically for the Canadian Armed Forces, and primarily features upgrades to the furniture of the weapon. The weapon was first delivered in 2018.
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62 × 51 mm NATO
Basic Load
1,740 Rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System
System
Name
1 × roof-mounted 5.56 mm C9A2 machine gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
5.56 mm
Manufacturer
FN Manufacturing LLC
Length
Long barrel: 1,016 mm;
Short Barrel: 916 mm (36 in)
Barrel Length
Long barrel: 523 mm; Short barrel:
424 mm (16.69 in)
Width
143 mm (buttstock and bipod folded)
Height
270 mm
Weight
Long barrel: 7.49 kg; Short barrel:
7.35 kg
Action
Gas, long-stroke piston
Mode of Fire
Fully-automatic only
Cyclic Rate of Fire
Long barrel: 650-800 rds/min; Short barrel
Maximum Firing Range
1,000 m
Effective Firing Range
500 m
Feed System
Dual feed. The C9A2 will accept either a disintegrating link belt, or a STANAG box magazine feed.
STANAG box magazin
Sights
Rear aperture, front post
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
5.56 mm
Cartridge
5.56 × 45 mm NATO
Basic Load
3,300 Rounds
Protection
Hull Armor
The Kodiak has improved armor protection, comparing with previous Swiss MOWAG Piranhas. Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds.
Turret Armor
Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds.
Applique Armor
A ceramic add-on armor can be installed for a higher level of protection. It protects against 14.5 mm machine guns fire. Some sources claim, that front armor of the Kodiak with add-on armor plates can withstand hits from 30 mm cannons. It makes the LAV III one of the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world. This armored vehicle can be also fitted with a cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank rockets.
Explosive Reactive Armor
No
Mine Clearing
No
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
8 × turret-mounted 76 mm smoke-grenade launcher (2 × 4)
Details
Country of Origin
Canada
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
L
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
6.98 m
Width
2.83 m
Height
1.96 m
Weight
20459 kg
Operators (5)
Canada
Colombia
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
Thailand
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