Iveco LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle) is a 4WD tactical vehicle developed by Iveco, and in service with several countries. This vehicle was launched in 2006 and, from that point onwards, it has been the subject of continuous development and innovation. The IVECO Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) is a flagship product of the IVECO Defence Vehicles manufacturing facility in Bolzano, Italy. After its adoption by the Italian Army under the name VTLM Lince (Lynx)(Veicolo-Tattico-Leggero-Multiruolo/Light-Tactical-Multirole-Vehicle), it won the FCLV (Future Command and Liaison Vehicle) competition of the British Army as the Panther and has been adopted by the armies of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Russia and Spain. The Italian Army took vehicles to both Afghanistan and Lebanon. In Afghanistan, Lince vehicles have saved passengers’ lives in several attacks with IEDs. The last evolution of LMV, the LMV2 launched at Eurosatory 2016, continues to expand the roles it can undertake, providing better performance, greater reliability, and increased crew comfort. This second generation LMV will be produced parallel to the current version, in order to meet the full spectrum of operational roles demanded by the military user.
The LMV uses modular armour packs to adjust its level of protection to its mission requirements. The 6.5t (STANAG protection level 3) vehicle has a payload capacity of more than 1.2t and is 5,504mm in length. In regards to mine protection, the vehicle’s ground clearance has been increased to 493 mm without increasing the overall height (less than 2 meters); it also uses suspended seats of aeronautical derivation, v-hull under body, and a collapsible sandwich structure in the floor to deflect and absorb mine blasts. Its exhaust is piped through its C-pillars, and its turbocharger is located underneath the engine to reduce its thermal signature. Mobility is helped by a run-flat system, allowing the vehicle to move even with completely deflated tires. This second generation LMV, implemented with a new 220 horsepower engine, presents an upgraded driveline, capable of managing more power, and a new air filtration system. In order to provide maximum mobility, a new automatic gearbox, upgraded with two additional speeds (eight in total), makes the transition between gears smoother when driving off-road.
The LMV is designed to accommodate extensive GFE, including radios, BMS, intercom and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM). The hardtop “dual-role”, made of a ballistic steel monocoque framework with lightweight aluminum/steel roll-bar, allows the vehicle to be equipped either with a manual weapon turret or alternatively, with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS), both of which can be readily fitted and removed in the field, ensuring greater flexibility of deployment. The vehicle can be fitted with a remote controlled weapon system which can be equipped with weapons up to 12.7mm in calibre. A smaller two-seat variant can be mounted with large weapons systems such as air-defence missiles. The IVECO LMV variant used by the British Army is known as the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle or simply Panther CLV. Panther CLVs are outfitted with an enforcer remote controlled weapon system (RCWS). Manufactured by SELEX Galileo, the system can be armed with a 40mm automatic bomb launcher or a 12.7mm or a 7.62mm machine gun.
More than 1,200 IVECO LMVs are operational with the Italian Army and the Navy, and another 7,000 are planned. In March 2010, Russia was reportedly interested in buying more than 1,000 LMVs. It is estimated the Russian Army will buy 1,755 vehicles in five years. The British Army has ordered 401 Panther CLVs and another 400 are on option. Contracts for the procurement of an initial 401 vehicles was signed in November 2003 and a batch of 50 vehicles was delivered in 2007. In June 2009, Slovak Army awarded a contract to IVECO to deliver a batch of ten LMVs. The Austrian Army ordered 150 vehicles in January 2009. Croatia purchased ten LMVs in 2007 and it is estimated this number will reach 94 by 2012. The Czech Army owns 19 vehicles and ordered another 90 vehicles in December 2009. These will be delivered between 2010 and 2013. The Belgium Government had ordered 440 vehicles and 120 armoured protection kits in 2006. Many vehicles are on order with Bosnia, Norway and Spain.
