The Marine Corps is looking to extend the service life of its Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) through the 2030s with a new $37.2 million task order to General Dynamics [GD] Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) to provide upgraded hardware kits, officials said Tuesday evening.
GDLS-C will deliver 60 kits to improve LAVs maneuverability and power capabilities, with the first enhanced vehicles set to reach initial operating capability in 2021.
Photo: General Dynamics
“The Marine Corps is committed to ensuring this platform remains viable into the 2030s,” Steve Myers, LAV program manager, said in a statement.
The new LAV A3s are expected to include a modernized powerpack to improve fuel efficiency, a new drivetrain for increased towing capacity, a steering dampener and a digitized drivers’ instrument panel.
Officials have previously discussed keeping the LAV in the field through 2035, while pursuing potential replacement programs including the Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (Defense Daily, May 2018).
The first upgraded vehicles will be delivered to active light armored reconnaissance battalions.
The Marine Corps also announced last week its new anti-tank weapon system, built by Raytheon [RTN], for LAVs is expected to reach full operational capability by the end of 2019 (Defense Daily, Jan. 11).