ASLAV

The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armoured 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 armoured fighting vehicles.

ASLAV
ASLAV-25
TypeReconnaissance vehicle
Place of originAustralia/Canada
Service history
In service1995–present
Used byAustralian Army
WarsIraq War, Afghanistan, East Timor
Production history
DesignerGeneral Dynamics Land Systems
Designed1992–1994
ManufacturerGeneral Motors Diesel Division &
General Dynamics Land Systems–Australia
Unit costA$2.2M
Produced1995–2007
No. built257
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Mass13.2 t (13.0 long tons)
Length6.53 m (21.4 ft)
Width2.62 m (8.6 ft)
Height2.69 m (8.8 ft)
Crew3
Passengers6
Main
armament
M242 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun
210 rounds
Secondary
armament
FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun
1000 rounds
EngineDetroit Diesel 6V-53T
205 kW (275 hp)
Power/weight15.53 kW/tonne
DriveWheeled 8x8
TransmissionAllison MT653
Operational
range
660 km (410 mi)
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
10 km/h (6.2 mph) on water
ReferencesAustralian Army[1] & Janes[2]

Description

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.[1][3]

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 tyres through the use of solid-core run-flat tyres. 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).[1][3]

Variants

The ASLAV fleet comprises a number of specialist purpose designed variants built in three distinct hull configurations.[2][3][4]

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.[2][4]

  • 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.[2][3][4]

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.[2][4]

  • ASLAV-PC (Personnel Carrier) – is an Armoured Personnel Carrier capable of carrying seven fully equipped troops in support of troop level tactical reconnaissance.[2][3][4]
  • 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.[2][3][4]
  • 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.[2][4]
  • 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.[2][4]

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.[2][4]

  • 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.[2][3][4]
  • 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.[2][3][4]

History

The acquisition of the ASLAV family of vehicles for the Australian Army was managed by Defence Materiel Organisation under the multi-phased LAND 112 project.[4][2][5] The vehicles were similar to those considered by the Australian Army to replace its M113 armoured personnel carriers in the early 1980s under Project Waler.[6]

In April 1989, the Australian Army purchased 15 ex-United States Marine Corps LAV-25 vehicles at a cost of A$28.4 million under LAND 112 Phase 1. These vehicles were purchased to trial the Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle (WAFV) concept in northern Australia, the trials were conducted by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in 1990–1991, with the subsequent report endorsing the WAFV concept, and the Army determined that the LAV was the best vehicle to fulfil the intended role of armoured reconnaissance and surveillance.[4][2][5]

In December 1992, Defence contracted the Canadian Commercial Corporation to supply 97 improved ASLAV Phase 2 vehicles under LAND 112 Phase 2 at a cost of A$123.84 million. These 97 vehicles were built in Canada by Diesel Division of General Motors of Canada with final fitting occurring in Australia by Tenix Defence, the first vehicles were completed in 1994. In June 1995, the scope was broadened to include replacements for the Phase 1 vehicles, in total 113 vehicles were purchased under Phase 2, with all vehicles being delivered to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Darwin and the School of Armour at Puckapunyal over the period 1995–1997.[4][2][5]

In December 1997 the Australian government approved the acquisition of an additional 150 vehicles, later amended to 144. Under LAND 1112 Phase 3, the initial contract with the Canadian Commercial Corporation was amended at a cost of A$286.37 million for an additional 144 new built improved Phase 3 ASLAVs, an upgrade of the Phase 2 fleet to Phase 3 standard and the provision of supporting ancillary equipment. The Phase 3 vehicles had enhanced offensive capabilities and crew protection, including included new electric turret drives, improved thermal sights, integrated laser range finder, a second generation drive line and new suspension components.[4][5]

In the preparations for deployment to Iraq in 2003, 10 ASLAV Type IIs and Type IIIs were fitted with the Kongsberg Protector RWS, in total 59 systems were acquired from Kongsberg for A$17.9 million and were fitted to vehicles operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Further upgrades to crew protection for vehicles deployed to Iraq occurred with the fitting of bar armour and internal spall liners to better withstand blasts, small-arms hits and fragmentation.[4][5]

The ASLAV is to be replaced in Australian Army service by the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle under LAND 400 Phase 2, with deliveries expected from 2020.[7]

Service

In the Australian Army, the ASLAV equips the Cavalry Squadrons of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. A Cavalry Squadron comprises a headquarters element, an echelon and three sabre troops of six ASLAVs, each troop is further broken down into two patrols each comprising two ASLAV-25s and one ASLAV-PC.[8]

The ASLAV equips two squadrons from each of the Australian Army's Armoured Cavalry Regiments, the 1st Armoured Regiment in Adelaide, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Townsville, and the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) in Brisbane, as well as the School of Armour at Puckapunyal.[9][10][11]

Operational service

The Australian Army's ASLAV fleet saw continual operational service from 1999 to 2013.[5][12]

East Timor

On 21 September 1999, C Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment deployed 22 ASLAVs into Dili aboard HMAS Tobruk as a part of International Force East Timor, a further seven ASLAVs were later deployed to East Timor as a part of the commitment. The vehicles were used for a variety of tasks including convoy escort, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, search, vehicle check points and force presence.[12][13]

Iraq

From 2003 to 2009, the Australian Army deployed ASLAVs to Iraq with its commitment to the Iraq War, the vehicles were used as a part of the SECDET rotations in Baghdad, as well as AMTG and the subsequent OBG(W) rotations in Dhi Qar Governorate. In 13 April 2004, the first Australian engagement of the ASLAV's 25mm main armament against enemy elements occurred when an ASLAV from SECDET engaged an enemy mortar base plate that was in the process of firing mortars into the Baghdad Green Zone.[14]

Afghanistan

From 2006 to 2013 the Australian Army deployed ASLAVs to Afghanistan with its commitment to the War in Afghanistan. Predominantly deployed to Urozgan Province, the vehicles were used as part of Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF) and Mentoring Task Force (MTF) rotations as well as supporting Special Forces Task Group (SFTG) rotations.[3][15][16]

  • ASLAV-25 in Afghanistan
  • Trial LAV-25 at Puckapunyal
  • ASLAV-25 rear view
  • ASLAVs in Iraq
  • ASLAV-A on exercise
  • ASLAV-25 & ASLAV-PC

References
  1. Australian Army, "Australian Light Armoured Vehicle", www.army.gov.au, retrieved 4 October 2018.
  2. Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, "Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) programme", janes.ihs.com, retrieved 4 October 2018.
  3. David Connery, David Cran & David Evered, Conducting counterinsurgency: Reconstruction Task Force 4 in Afghanistan, Canberra: Army History Unit, 2012, ISBN 978-1-921-94177-1.
  4. Australian National Audit Office, Management of the Acquisition of the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle Capability, ANAO Audit Report No.9 2006–07, Canberra: Australian National Audit Office, 2006, ISBN 0-642-80927-5.
  5. Tom Muir, "ASLAV: Are we overtasking this willing workhorse?", Australian Defence Magazine, Sydney: Yaffa Publishing, October 2008, ISSN 1324-6550.
  6. Jesser, John (21 March 1987). "Government opts for wheeled armoured vehicles for Darwin". The Canberra Times. p. 10. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, "Land Combat Vehicle System", www.defence.gov.au, retrieved 4 October 2018.
  8. LTCOL Roger Noble, "Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) as mounted cavalry: vanguard for a hardened Army", Australian Army Journal, Vol 2, No 1, Winter 2004, Duntroon: Head, Land Warfare Studies Centre, 2004, ISSN 1448-2843.
  9. LTCOL Grant Chambers, "2nd Cavalry Regiment", Ironsides: The Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Puckapunyal, VIC: The Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2017, OCLC 808384287.
  10. LTCOL Chris Gardiner, "1st Armoured Regiment", Ironsides: The Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Puckapunyal, VIC: The Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2017, OCLC 808384287.
  11. LTCOL Andrew Moss, "2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment", Ironsides: The Journal of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Puckapunyal, VIC: The Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2017, OCLC 808384287.
  12. James Cotton, East Timor, Australia and regional order: intervention and its aftermath in Southeast Asia, London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2004, ISBN 0-415-33580-9.
  13. David E. Johnson, Adam Grissom & Olga Oliker, In the middle of the fight: an assessment of medium-armoured forces in past military operations, Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2008, ISBN 978-0-8330-4413-6.
  14. John Blaxland, The Australian Army: from Whitlam to Howard, Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2014, ISBN 978-1-107-04365-7.
  15. James D’Angina, LAV-25: The Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2011, ISBN 9781849086110.
  16. Julian Ker, " Vehicle sustainment in the field", Australian Defence Magazine, Sydney: Yaffa Publishing, October 2012, ISSN 1324-6550.
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