General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada drew a $37.2-million(USD) contract to deliver 60 hardware kits for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Reset Program. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is a General Dynamics – Canada, London, Ont., manufactures the LAV-25 and Stryker armored vehicles. LAVs perform various functions, including security, command/control, reconnaissance, and assault, offering a combination of speed, maneuverability and firepower. The USMC announced the project earlier this year, but it was recently confirmed by the contractor.
The hardware kit addresses key obsolescence and readiness issues and consists of a modern powerpack, driveline system, driver’s instrument panel and a new turret slip ring. The fully integrated kits will be procured by General Dynamics and delivered to the Marine Corps for installation at Marine Corps Production Plants. The LAV Reset Program is an effort to address LAV-25 obsolescence and readiness, and to update and extend the service life of the eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle used by the USMC, as well as the U.S. Army and the Canadian Army. While the first LAVs were introduced in 1983, the specific enhancements are intended to extend the fleet’s service life into the 2030s.
The hardware kits consist of a modern powerpack, driveline system, a driver’s instrument panel, and a new turret slip ring, to address obsolescence and readiness issues, according to General Dynamics. More specifically, the USMC reported the modernized powerpack will improve reliability, cooling capacity, and diagnostics as well as improve fuel economy. A new drivetrain will improve towing capability, and a new steering dampener will improve road feel and usability. New LAV 25 slip rings (rotating units that turn with the shaft and passing an electric current to a circuit) will double power supply capability to the turret. The digitalized driver’s instrument panel will provide additional channels for gigabit Ethernet, video, and fiber optics.
The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada, under the Defense Production Sharing Agreement (DPSA) between Canada and the United States. Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics. General Dynamics Land Systems provides innovative design, engineering, technology, production and full life-cycle support for land combat vehicles around the globe. The company’s extensive experience, customer-first focus and seasoned supply chain network provide unmatched capabilities to the U.S. military and its allies. General Dynamics will deliver the kits for installation at Marine Corps production plants.
