The John Cockerill LCTS 90MP is a light two-person crew turret equipped with a powerful Cockerill 90mm gun and with an advanced autoloader. This Cockerill LCTS90 MP system delivers high lethality at a very light weight to 10 to 20 tonne GVW light armoured vehicles class. This gun-turret is compatible with a wide range of lighter wheeled and tracked vehicles. This low weight permits the Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret to be fully effective when fitted to vehicles as light as the Pandur 6×6 AFV.
Rifled for accuracy, the weapon is designed to impart a very low recoil force in order to maintain the stability and safety of even lighter firing platforms. The gun provides a very effective anti-armour capability combined with a general-purpose capability based on HE ammunition. Its advanced digital, fully-stabilised weapon control system permits precise direct and indirect engagements, even when moving, by day and by night. Using these capabilities, the system can undertake indirect firing to a range of almost 8 km. Turret weight is kept low through the use of a bustle-mounted autoloader, which permits a two-person crew.
The Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret system has been produced for four countries. Late in 1996, the Kuwait National Guard ordered 70 Pandur (6 × 6) vehicles from AV Technology International of the United States in six versions, including one armed with the Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret system. Qatar ordered 36 Piranha (8 × 8) vehicles, with final deliveries made in late 1998. The third country is Saudi Arabia, with a contract placed in late 1999 for 130 Light Armoured Vehicle-Assault Guns (LAV-AG) being placed with the now General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada on behalf of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG). In January 2006 Belgium selected the MOWAG Piranha IIIC 8 × 8 mounted with a Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret to meet its Armoured Infantry Vehicle (AIV requirement).
Rifled for accuracy, the weapon is designed to impart a very low recoil force in order to maintain the stability and safety of even lighter firing platforms. The gun provides a very effective anti-armour capability combined with a general-purpose capability based on HE ammunition. The turret Cockerill LCTS 90MP is equipped with a stabilised day/thermal imaging sight and ballistic computer with a video display for the gunner. The commander has a gyro-stabilized panoramic sight with target designation capability. The Cockerill LCTS 90MP is equipped with a 16 rounds autoloader located in the turret bustle for an easy and fast gun loading. For its self-protection, smoke grenades launchers of 66 mm, 76 mm or 80 mm can be fitted to each side of the turret to create smoke screen or close defence. The Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret delivers effective organic fire-support to lighter armoured forces.
