NZLAV New Zealand Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
NZLAV
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Other
Basic Information
Name
NZLAV New Zealand Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Designation
NZLAV
Alternate Designation
NZLAV
Equipment Type
Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Manufacturer
The New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV) is based on the General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada. Australia; Company: INA
Date of Introduction
2003
Description
The NZLAV or New Zealand Light Armored Vehicle is a variant of the General Dynamics LAV III, which in turn is a license-produced version of the MOWAG Piranha IIIH. Since 2003 New Zealand acquired over 100 of these armored vehicles, including variants, to replace the aging M113 family. Currently, the New Zealand Defense Forces are the only operator of this personnel carrier. The standard armored personnel carrier is used in reconnaissance and forward observation roles. The NZLAV provides New Zealand with a world-class vehicle capable of providing protected mobility to soldiers on the battlefield. 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.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Wheeled (8x8)
Main Weapon
25mm M242 Chain-Driven Autocannon
Engine
Diesel (350 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
109.0 km/h
Range
500.0 km
Variants
Recovery (LAV-R)
Armored recovery vehicle, fitted with a winch.
System
Alternative Designation
NZLAV
Type
Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
Manufacturer
The New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZLAV) is based on the General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada. Australia; Company: INA
Configuration
8x8
Crew
3 ea
Passenger Capacity
8 ea
Airlift Capability
The NZLAV can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.
Future Upgrades
Future upgrades for NZLAV will include upgraded mobility and payload/storage capacity; enhanced power generation and management; optimised ergonomics for crew and dismounts, and improved tactical utility and versatility through the provision of NZLAV variants.
Dimensions
Length
6.98 m
Width
2.83 m
Height
1.955 m
Weight, Standard
18,373 kg
Weight, Combat
20,459 kg
Ground Clearance
0.595 m
Automotive
Engine Name
Caterpillar 3126 HEUI
Engine Type
Diesel
Engine Power
350 hp
Power-to-Weight Ratio
17.1 hp/t
Fuel Capacity
300 liters
Electrical System
24 V
Suspension
independent hydropneumatic with height control
Tires
12.00 × 20
Brakes
power brakes
Range
500 km
Speed, Maximum Road
109 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
30%
Vertical Step
0.6 m
Trench
2 m
Fording
1.2 m
Main Weapon System
System
Name
1 × turret-mounted 25mm M242 Chain-Driven Autocannon
Type
Chain-Driven Autocannon
Caliber
25 mm
Length
2,672 mm
Barrel Length
2,175 mm
Width
318 mm
Height
373 mm
Weight
119 kg
Barrels
Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist)
Action
Open bolt
Rate of Fire
Cyclic: 200rpm with 1hp or 500rpm with 8hp
Muzzle Velocity
1,100 m/s
Maximum Firing Range
6,800 m
Effective Firing Range
3,000 m
Sights
The NZLAV is equipped with a daytime optical Thermal Imaging System (TIS) and Generation III Image Intensification. The NZLAV is equipped with a Tactical Navigation System (TacNav) to assist in navigation and target location tasks. The NZLAV is equipped with an LCD monitor directly connected to the vehicle's external cameras, providing real-time images of the battlefield for the passengers.
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
25 mm
Shell
25×137 mm
Basic Load
420 Rounds
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 × coaxial-mounted 7.62 mm
C6A1 FLEX machine gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Manufacturer
INA
Length
1,260 mm
Barrel Length
630 mm
Weight, Unloaded
11.8 kg
Action
Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt
Cyclic Rate of Fire
750–1,100 rds/min
Maximum Firing Range
3, 725 m
Effective Firing Range
1,800 m
Feed System
M13 linked belt
Sights,
Folding leaf sight with aperture and notch, front blade
Note
The C6A1 FLEX is the Canadian manufactured upgrade of the C6 GPMG. It is manufactured under license specifically for the Canadian Armed Forces, and primarily features upgrades to the furniture of the weapon. The weapon was first delivered in 2018.
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62 × 51 mm NATO
Basic Load
1,740 Rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System
System
Name
1 × roof-mounted 5.56 mm C9A2 machine gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
5.56 mm
Manufacturer
FN Manufacturing LLC
Length
Long barrel: 1,016 mm;
Short Barrel: 916 mm (36 in)
Barrel Length
Long barrel: 523 mm; Short barrel:
424 mm (16.69 in)
Width
143 mm (buttstock and bipod folded)
Height
270 mm
Weight
Long barrel: 7.49 kg; Short barrel:
7.35 kg
Action
Gas, long-stroke piston
Mode of Fire
Fully-automatic only
Cyclic Rate of Fire
Long barrel: 650-800 rds/min; Short barrel
Maximum Firing Range
1,000 m
Effective Firing Range
500 m
Feed System
Dual feed. The C9A2 will accept either a disintegrating link belt, or a STANAG box magazine feed.
STANAG box magazin
Sights
Rear aperture, front post
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
5.56 mm
Cartridge
5.56 × 45 mm NATO
Basic Load
3,300 Rounds
Protection
Hull Armor
The armor of the NZLAV provides all-around protection against 7.62 mm rounds.
Turret Armor
Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds.
Applique Armor
The vehicle can be fitted with add-on ceramic armor, which provides protection against 14.5 mm machine gunfire. Some sources claim that this add-on armor can withstand 30 mm hits. The NZLAV can be also fitted with slat armor, which provides protection against RPG rounds. This armored vehicle has a strengthened undercarriage for improved mine protection.
Explosive Reactive Armor
No
Mine Clearing
No
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
8 × turret-mounted 76 mm smoke-grenade launcher (2 × 4)
Details
Country of Origin
New Zealand
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
N
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
6.98 m
Width
2.83 m
Height
1.96 m
Weight
20459 kg
Operators (1)
New Zealand
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