LAV III Kodiak

   The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is a license produced version of Swiss MOWAG Piranha III. Vehicle is produced by General Motors Land Systems. It entered service with the Canadian Army in 1999, which currently operates 651 of these armored personnel carriers. It is a primary mechanized infantry vehicle, which replaced the M113 and other vehicles. Export operators are USA and New Zealand. The US Army uses a modified variant, called Stryker, which is fitted with remote weapon station in place of the turret.

   The Kodiak has improved armor protection, comparing with previous Piranhas. Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62-mm rounds. A ceramic appliqué armor can be added if necessary, which protects against 14.5-mm machine guns. Some sources claim, that front armor of the Kodiak with appliqué plates can withstand 30-mm hits. This armored personnel carrier can be also fitted with a slat armor, which provides protection against RPGs. Undercarriage was strengthened for improved mine-blast survivability. Vehicle is fitted with an NBC protection system.

   The LAV III Kodiak is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with the M242 Bushmaster 25-mm chain gun and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. One more 5.56-mm machine gun is positioned on top of the roof. The 25-mm chain gun has a 2 400 m range of effective fire. Both gunner and commander can fire the main gun.

   The Kodiak has a crew of three, and can carry 6-7 troops. Soldiers enter and leave the vehicle through the rear ramp or roof hatches.

   Vehicle is powered by a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, developing 350 horsepower. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which allows to adjust to different terrain, thus extending cross-country mobility. The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is not amphibious.

Variants

   ISC armored personnel carrier;

   CPV command vehicle;

   TUA anti-tank guided weapon carrier;

   OPV artillery forward observation vehicle;

   MMEV multi-mission effects vehicle;

   ELAV armored engineering vehicle;

   Stryker armored personnel carrier, in service with US Army;

   NZLAV armored personnel carrier, in service with New Zealand Army.