Basic Information

Name

ASLAV-S Australian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Surveillance Vehicle

Designation

ASLAV-S

Alternate Designation

ASLAV-S

Equipment Type

Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle

Manufacturer

General Dynamics Land Systems Canada

Date of Introduction

2014

Description

ASLAV-S (Surveillance) – is a specialized surveillance vehicle equipped with a hydraulically raised mast mounted thermal imager, laser range finder, day television camera and battlefield surveillance radar RASIT or AMSTAR. The ASLAV-S supports tactical reconnaissance with ground surveillance and observation and can carry four crew and two occasional troops. The ASLAV-S uses the same hull as the ASLAV-PC and is converted with a mission kit. This includes the RASIT ground surveillance radar, thermal imager, laser rangefinder, daytime TV camera and other observation equipment. It has a crew of four. The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle used by the Australian Army. It was built by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, and developed from the Canadian Army's LAV-25 and Bison armored fighting vehicles. In 2014, the Australian army took delivery of 14 upgraded ASLAV-S vehicles. These were equipped with a mast-mounted Multi-Spectral Surveillance Suite (MSSS) featuring stabilized infrared and high-resolution color day still and TV cameras; laser rangefinder; and the Australian version of the DRS Technology Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR ). The system is mounted on a 30-ft (9-m) hydraulic mast installed through the rear roof of the vehicle. This enables long-range target detection and automatic alignment of the sensor package to the detected target location. The MSSS also provides secure voice and digital command, control and communications and precise, jam-resistant navigation via a GPS /inertial navigation system. All MSSS functions can be performed under armor. The ASLAV is a highly mobile, eight-wheel drive, amphibious armoured fighting vehicle that can be deployed by land, sea or air (in Royal Australian Air Force C-130s or C-17s). It is fitted with GPS, an intra-vehicular navigation system and a radio harness capable of supporting HF, VHF, UHF and digital radios. The ASLAV is capable of speeds of 100 km/h (62 mph) and has a maximum range in excess of 660 km (410 mi). The eight-wheel drive provides excellent cross-country mobility and redundancy, the vehicle is capable of operation with only four working wheels, and can continue to operate with eight punctured tires through the use of solid-core run-flat tires. It is fully amphibious and is driven in the water by permanent shrouded propellers located at the rear of the hull at speeds of up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph)

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Wheeled (8x8)

Engine Diesel (275 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 100.0 km/h

Range 660.0 km

Variants

ASLAV Type I The ASLAV Type I is the most numerous type; it is a turreted vehicle derived from the LAV-25 and comes in only one variant.[

ASLAV-25 (Reconnaissance) ASLAV-25 (Reconnaissance) – is an Armoured Car with a crew of three (commander, gunner & driver). The two man turret has day, thermal and infrared imaging weapon systems, a stabilised M242 25mm dual-feed chain gun and two FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine guns. The ASLAV-25 conducts troop-level tactical reconnaissance and can carry up to six dismounts in the rear.

ASLAV Type II The ASLAV Type II has no turret and greater internal capacity and is derived from the Canadian Bison Armoured Personnel Carrier. The ASLAV Type II has a crew of two (commander and driver) and is armed with a pintle mounted M2 12.7 mm machine gun. In a number of vehicles, the standard machine gun pintle mount was replaced by a Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS), which can accommodate either a 12.7 mm machine gun or a Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Using a common hull design installed with interchangeable Mission Role Installation Kits (MRIKs), it can be converted into any one of four variants.

ASLAV-PC (Personnel Carrier) is an Armoured Personnel Carrier capable of carrying seven fully equipped troops in support of troop level tactical reconnaissance

ASLAV-C (Command) is an Armoured Command Vehicle, it is equipped with an enhanced radio installation and radio masts, map boards, stowage compartments, specialised seating and an stowable annex. In addition to the crew, the ASLAV-C can accommodate three staff officers and provides command and control at the Squadron and Regimental Headquarter level.

ASLAV-S (Surveillance) is a specialised surveillance vehicle equipped with a hydraulically raised mast mounted thermal imager, laser range finder, day television camera and battlefield surveillance radar RASIT or AMSTAR. The ASLAV-S supports tactical reconnaissance with ground surveillance and observation and can carry four crew and two occasional troops.

ASLAV-A (Ambulance) is an Armoured Ambulance and is fitted with specialist medical equipment and in addition to the crew can accommodate a medic and three lying patients or six sitting patients.

ASLAV Type III The ASLAV Type III has no turret and is used by members of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for repair and recovery. The ASLAV Type III has a crew of two (commander and driver) and usually carries a third mechanic, it is armed with a pintle mounted FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun, although some have been fitted with the Kongsberg Protector RWS. The ASLAV Type III comes in two variants utilising two specialist MRIKs.

ASLAV-F (Fitter) is a maintenance support vehicle that provides a protected mobile workshop for field repair personnel, including vehicle parts and tools, and is fitted with a HIAB 650 crane.

ASLAV-R (Recovery) is an Armoured Recovery Vehicle that is equipped with a heavy winch to recover disabled vehicles to a more accessible location or tow them to a repair facility

System

Alternative Designation ASLAV-S

Type Armored Surveillance Vehicle

Family ASLAV

Crew 4 ea

Passenger Capacity 2 ea

Thermal Image Viewer Equipped with a hydraulically raised mast mounted thermal imager

Laser Range Finder Yes

Day Vision Television Camera Yes

Night Vision Television Camera Yes

Surveillance Radar Battlefield Surveillance Radar

Radar Frequency I band

Radar Range 40 km

Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR) Yes, the Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR) is a lightweight all-weather battlefield Doppler radar operating in the J band. It is usually used by artillery observers to acquire and engage targets in bad visibility or at night. It is capable of detecting, recognizing and tracking helicopters, slow moving fixed-wing aircraft, tracked and wheeled vehicles and troops, as well as observing and adjusting the fall of shot. The radar display is an electro-luminescent screen that can be overlaid with a map grid. It also shows the areas of ground visible to the radar and those that are masked by terrain. Target location can be presented as either map coordinates or bearing and distance (polar coordinates) from the radar. The complete radar weighs 30 kilograms (66 lb) It can detect targets out to 30 kilometres (19 mi), with a maximum range of 42 kilometres (26 mi). The radar head (antenna and electronics) are connected by remoting cable to the display. The rotating head can be mounted on either a tripod on the ground or an elevated mast, the latter fitted to the Warrior Artillery Observation Post vehicle (FV514), or the Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle. When fitted to the mast power is taken from the vehicle supply and the display is inside the vehicle. For dismounted use the radar uses standard military rechargeable dry batteries and is man-carried in three loads. The radar can be set up in under three minutes.

Dimensions

Length 6.53. m

Width 2.62 m

Height 2.69 m

Weight, Combat 13.2 t

Automotive

Engine Name 6V53T

Engine Type Detriot Diesel

Engine Power 275 hp

Range 660 km

Speed, Maximum Road 100 km/h

Speed, Average Cross INA

Speed Maximum Swim 10 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.5

Trench 2 m

Fording Depth Amphibious

Note The ASLAV-S is fully amphibious with 3 minute preparation. It is propelled on water by two water jets mounted at the rear of the hull.

Main Gun

Note The turret can be traversed and the main gun fired while vehicle is afloat.

System

Name M242 25mm Bushranger Chain Gun

Type 25mm Chain Gun

Caliber 25mm

Manufacturer Hughes Helicopters (1981–1985) McDonnell Douglas Helicopters (1985–2002) Alliant Techsystems (2002–2015) Orbital ATK (2015–2018) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (2018–present)

In Service 1981-Present

Proliferation >11,000

Length 2,672mm

Barrel Length 2,175mm

Width 318mm

Height 373mm

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 metres per second (3,600 ft/s)

Maximum Firing Range 6,800 m

Effective Firing Range 3,000 m

Sights INA

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 25 mm

Shell 25×137 mm

Basic Load 720

Notes A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon, providing it with the capability to defeat the majority of armored vehicles it is likely to encounter, up to and including some light tanks. The ammunition used in the M242 may also be used in a variety of weapons such as the GAU-12 Equalizer, the French Giat M811, or the Swiss Oerlikon KBA weapon system. It has the capability to fire U.S. manufactured ammunition as well as the NATO equivalents thereof. Primarily though, it fires six types of rounds: the M791, M792, M793, M910, MK210, and M919.

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name Mk 48 Machine Gun

Alternative Designation Mark 48, or Mk 48, or Maximi

Type Light Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62mm

Proliferation Widely Proliferated

Manufacturer FN Herstal

In Service 2003-Present

Length 1,000 mm

Barrel Length 502 mm

Weight 8.2 kg (22.006 lb) empty 11.2 kg (24.7 lb) w/ 100 rounds

Action Gas-operated, open bolt

Rate of Fire 710 (± 50) rounds/min

Maximum FIring Range 3,600 m

Effective Firing Range 800 m

Feed System Disintegrating belt (M13 link)

Sights INA

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO (STANAG 2310)

Basic Load 1,200

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS No

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander INA

Thermal Sight Gunner INA

Main Gun Stabilization INA

Automatic Fire Suppression Yes

Protection

Hull Armor Armor of the ASLAV-S provides protection against small-arms fire, mine-blasts and artillery fragments.

Turret Armor INA. The ASLAV-S is fitted with a two-man turret, similar to that of the LAV-25.

Applique Armor Protection of this reconnaissance vehicle can be increased by fitting add-on ceramic armor tiles. Vehicle can be also fitted with slat armor, which improves protection against RPG rounds.

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment INA

Image Sources

Notes https://www.moddb.com/news/surveillance-armoured-vehicle-aslav-s-2014; https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/thomas_electronics_of_australia_has_successfully_completes_the_prototype_turret_aslav_cpt_3004122.html;