Canada Converting LAV-III TUAVs to Infantry Carriers

M1134 Stryker(click to view full) The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded Genertal Dynamics Land Systems – Canada a C$ 49.2 million (about $46.3 million) contract to take 33 of the 71 LAV-III chassis originally manufactured under a previous contract for LAV-III TOW Under Armour (TUA) vehicles, and use them as infantry carriers, instead of inegrating the Kvaerner TUA turret from older M113s. GDLS Canada will oversee the LAV-III TUAV conversion and act as the lead integrator. Rheinmetall Canada of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, will supply the Remote Weapon Station, which will feature a universal gun cradle capable of mounting 5.56, 7.62 and 12.7 mm armaments and a cooled thermal sight system. Delivery of the converted Infantry Section Carriers will occur from June 2008 – March 2009. GDLS release. LAV-TUA(click to view full) The LAV-III is known as the Piranha-III in Europe, and is also the base platform for the USA’s Styker family of vehicles; the nearest equivalent to the LAV-III TUAV would be the USA’s M1134 Stryker ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). Canada’s LAV-IIIs, however, have displayed mixed performance in Afghanistan. Their mobility and 25mm autocannon fire support has proven useful on the roads and in cities, but the vehicle is […]