Iveco Defense Vehicles is building on the remarkable
commercial and operational success of its Light
Multirole Vehicle (LMV) to develop a version dedicated
to Special Forces operations. Currently deployed
in Afghanistan by four different nations, the LMV
is well regarded by its users, and its high levels
of protection and mobility. This decision to develop
a Special Forces variant was supported by a number
of Special Forces units, enabling their specific
operational requirements to be taken into consideration
form the design phase. The result is a robust, mobile
adaptable platform which is well placed to meet
the demand of SF missions. LMV was specifically
designed to provide the user with outstanding mobility
and terrain accessibility. To this end, the vehicle
incorporates design features such as independent
suspension, central tyre inflation and ABS. This
meets the key requirement for special operations
teams of maintaining mobility in the most demanding
conditions. On road, the LMV can reach over 110
km/h. The kerb weight of the SF vehicle 4200 kg,
providing an impressive payload of some 3,000 kgs.
The vehicle features a low set, open rear cargo
compartment which can be adapted to different layouts
depending on the user’s specifications. Additional
fuel or water tanks can be added, as well as stowage
solutions for individual equipment, weapon systems
and mission specific payloads. The SF LMV, which
is already under evaluation by Special Forces from
different countries, demonstrates IVECO DV’s
capacity to understand and meet the customers’
requirements through a continuous programme of development
and innovation.
IVECO
has teamed up with a specialist weapon mount
supplier to develop weapon supports and
other mission specific features. The roll-bar
is equipped with a weapon ring allowing
the use of 7,62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun
and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. A
larger ring mount, equipped with a suitable
platform for the gunner, is under development.
Typically a seat looking towards the rear
can be mounted, in order to provide observation
and covering fire in the rear arc.
Protection
The doors and the armoured glass in the
windscreen provide a tunable level of ballistic
protection, readily upgradable with add-on
armour packs. To maximise payload and mobility,
the base SF vehicle is fitted for but not
with an anti-mine plate, and this can be
installed if required. The crew is protected
by a tubular frame roll-bar. Up to five
crew can be carried, with the configuration
of the seats being flexible.
Propulsion
The
vehicle benefits from the proven LMV chassis
which ensures logistic commonality for those
armies which already deploy the standard
LMV. The 140 kW engine provides a power-to-weight
ratio of about 20 kW/t and is coupled to
a six speed automatic gearbox with hydro-dynamic
coupling converter and transfer-box.
Accessories
Currently
the windscreen can be lowered, although
the central roll-bar is fixed. A collapsible
roll bar is under development which will
allow the vehicle’s height to be minimised
for air transport. In the reduced width
configuration, the SF version of the LMV
should fit inside the CH-47 Chinook helicopter,
and will be transportable in all tactical
transport aircraft.
Specifications
Armament
7,62
or 12,7mm machine gun. 40mm
automatic grenade launcher.
Country
users
In
evaluation by various countries.
Designer
Company
Iveco
Defence Vehicles
Accessories
Support
for weapons.
Armor
Modular
protection against small
arms and mine blast.
Army
Recognition Company is proud to announce that we have been selected
as official Media Partner and official Online Daily News for SOFEX 2012,
The Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference ...
