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GDLS Press Release

USMC LAV-A2 Contract Awarded
Five Variants, Up to $US 307 Million With Options

Land Systems has been awarded US $128 million increment of a $US 257 million U.S. Marine Corps contract for 130 LAV-A2 vehicles according to a company press release dated January 31. The contract has a total potential value of $307 million if a $50 million option for electric turret drives is exercised.

The LAV-A2 program covers a number of variants, including personnel carriers, anti-tank, command & control, logistics and maintenance variants. The new vehicles will offer improvements over the LAV series which first entered service with the USMC in the 1980s and continue to see heavy use today. General Dynamics will deliver vehicles beginning in July 2007. Work will be performed in London, Ontario, Canada; Sterling Heights, Mich. and Woodbridge, Va., with existing employees, commencing in July of 2007. Work is expected to be complete by July 2008.

The Light Armored Vehicle A2 provides the Marines’ Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion a mobile, agile and survivable system for conducting offensive and defensive operations in support of the Marines Air-Ground Task Force. The eight-wheeled amphibious armored vehicle is equipped with an improved suspension, provisioning for enhanced armor protection and automatic fire suppression system for crew protection. Power is provided by a Detroit Diesel 6V53T diesel engine developing 275 horsepower coupled to an Allison MT653, 6 speed (5 forward, 1 reverse) automatic transmission with driver-select gear ranges and is delivered through a single transfer case to 4 differentials. The four rear wheels drive the vehicle on a full-time basis, but eight-wheel drive is selectable.

Since the original USMC LAVs were built in London, and the chassis and turret are similar to those delivered for the SANG program, the A2 contract is not expected to pose significant technical risks. Nevertheless, there are some challenges from a program and integration standpoint.

“It’s been over 20 years since we built the original vehicles,� said Graham Brown, International Wheeled Vehicles USMC Program Manager. “This means that the technical data package for the vehicles we delivered then are somewhat out of date, so obsolescence is going to be an issue. None of the old drawings are in CAD which will present a challenge to our modern processes.�

Other challenges will be integrated Government-Furnished Equipment, including an armor package and spall liner. Additionally, the integrated e-drive/ITSS turret represents an opportunity to extend our knowledge base, as does the provision of interactive electronic technical manuals (IETMs).

"This is a significant contract for GDLS-Canada,� said Brown. “After 20 years, the Marines are still committed to our vehicle. With an upgraded suspension, fire suppression system and armor, the vehicles will be able to provide the marines with significantly improved survivability to carry out their mission."

Hi Folks!

Sounds like good news for the Marines. I for one, am very glad to hear those new recon companies are going to be getting new builds.

I think it is very interesting how the Marines are finding ways to run their older LAVs into the ground while some folks still think the Army is making a mistake by adding their own 8x8 armored cars to their mix of systems.

Sgt, Scouts Out!

nt

I think I heard (some time ago) at least some of the aging Marine LAVs were starting to suffer significant stress cracks in their monocoque hulls. There were web picture of a LAV TOW vehicle practically being sawed in half and reassembled in an effort to remove a big hull stress crack.

I wonder if any of the 'upgrades' will be at all compatible with LAV III parts. I can't wait to see how different the LAV A2 will look... and how much it'll weigh!

Great news for GM and the Marines. I wonder how much GM are talking up the price in the speech given. They did Series 2 LAV for Australia just recently (and still are) and these would have to have had fully digital production packages despite his claims.
Interesting to see what they end up with
Al

D'oh! (slaps forehead with palm of hand). Of course, the Aussie LAVs! So it shouldn't be like GMs going to be reinventing the wheel for the Marine LAV A2.

Just a minor clarification. It is no longer GM. General Dynamics bought out GM Defense in march of 2003. ( Including Mowag in Switzerland)
The majority of major weld joints have been redesigned for the LAV 2's for both SANG (Suadi arabia) and ASLAV hulls to, provide easier welding and better performance, as well as utilize up to date robotic welding.
Hulls are also x-rayed and 100 % LPI inspection ( Liquid Penetrant Inspection), prior to paint.
Shouldn't be any weld issues to worry about.

LavTech