The NZLAV was procured to replace the aging M113 family of vehicles.  The NZLAV provides New Zealand with a world class vehicle capable of providing light armour protection to soldiers on the battle field.  The NZLAV is highly mobile, and comes equipped with a lethal arsenal of weapons and systems making it an ideal vehicle for combat, peace and peace support operations.  This vehicle is a quantum leap forward in capability for New Zealand and as part of the project, facilities, training, special tooling and spares were provided by the prime contractor, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. 

As an owner, New Zealand joins numerous allies that are operating similar platforms allowing us to maintain and operate the vehicle at a lower cost by creating synergies amongst LAV users.  Currently the LAV is fielded with the Canadian Army, US Army, US Marines and the Australian Defence Force.

New Zealand purchased 102 Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV) variants and 3 Recovery vehicle variants.  Additionally, to provide flexibility 7 of the 102 IMV's come equipped with an earth moving blade allowing it to be used for light engineering tasks.

Printable NZLAV Image [3 Mb .jpg file] [Recommend that you right click on this link and choose 'Save target as...' to save the file to your computer.]

The highlights of the NZLAV are as follows:

Dimensions and Weights

• Length - 6.98m
• Width - 2.83m (Hull)
• Height - 2.88m (Turret)
• Combat Weight - 19.85 tonnes (Including Add-on-Armour)

Performance

• Capacity: 3 Crew (Driver, Gunner and Crew Commander) and up to 7 fully equipped soldiers in the rear
• Maximum Forward Speed - 109km/hr
• Possesses a turning radius on 17.5m and an ability to cross a 2m gap 
• Rated to a 60% Grade and 30% side slope
• Fuel Capacity - 200 litres of diesel providing a maximum range of 450km when driven on paved roads

Power Train and Suspension

• Engine:  350hp Caterpillar 3126 HEUI mated with an Allison MD 3066 transmission with 6 forward and 1 reverse gears
• Independent hydro-pneumatic suspension with Height Management System (HMS) on all wheels grouped in pairs
• Power brakes with ABS on 2 axles (when in 4 x 8)
• Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) with 4 preset pressures selectable from the drivers station to match different terrain conditions

Survivability Systems

Biological & Chemical Protection

• GID-3 Chemical Agent Detector
• Ventilated Respirator System - provides filtered air for crew and soldiers
• Chemical Agent Resistant Coating Paint

Fire Protection

• AFES Fire Suppression in crew, passenger and engine compartments.  Agents used are FE 25 and FM 200

Armament

• M242 25mm Bushmaster Automatic Cannon capable of effective fire out to 2400m.  Rounds can be fired at rates of single, 100 or 200 rounds/minute
• A total of 420 rounds can be stored on the vehicle at any one time

Machine Guns

• 2 x 7.62mm MAG 58 Machine Guns (1 mounted coaxial to cannon and 1 mounted on turret) capable of effective fire out to 1100m at 700-900 rounds/minute

Multi Barrel Grenade Discharger (MBGD)

• 8 x 76mm grenade dischargers capable of discharging either smoke or high explosive grenades with an effective range of 60m