Weapons of Ukrainian Victory: LAV 6.0 ACSV

It has been reported that a shipment of new Canadian LAV 6.0 ACSV armored personnel carriers (APCs) has arrived in Ukraine from Germany. Today, we’ll take a closer look at these vehicles.

The news about modern Canadian APCs for Ukraine first surfaced in September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the support. He stated that Canada would invest 650 million Canadian dollars over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 domestically produced armored vehicles.

In June 2024, the first batch of armored personnel carriers was sent from Canada to Germany, where training for Ukrainian crews began. Now, following the completion of training for both operators and maintenance personnel, the first shipment of four LAV 6.0 ACSV armored vehicles in the “ambulance” configuration has arrived in Ukraine. These APCs will be used for evacuating wounded Ukrainian soldiers from combat zones. Let’s take a closer look at the LAV 6.0 ACSV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Why are LAV 6.0 ACSV APCs interesting?

2. Interesting details from the story

3. Design and protection features of the LAV 6.0 ACSV armored personnel carrier

4. Armament of the APC LAV 6.0 ACSV

5. Observation and fire control

6. LAV 6.0 ACSV APC engine and mobility

7. Tactical and technical characteristics of the APC LAV 6.0 ACSV

Why are LAV 6.0 ACSV APCs interesting?

Essentially, the LAV 6.0 ACSV is an upgraded version of the LAV III wheeled armored vehicle, developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada for the Canadian Army. This armored personnel carrier first entered service in 2013. The Canadian Army aims to replace its entire fleet of light armored vehicles by 2035.

The new version was acquired in two main variants: a combat vehicle equipped with a 25-mm cannon, as in previous versions of the LAV II and LAV III, and a support variant known as the Armored Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). Ukraine is set to receive the combat support version (ACSV). This variant is available in various configurations, including command post, maintenance, recovery, and medical evacuation vehicles.

The new armored vehicle is equipped with a next-generation suspension system, an enhanced power unit, an improved remote weapon station, upgraded targeting systems, and a digital electronic architecture. Its protective capabilities are strengthened by the addition of a blast-deflecting double V-hull and energy-absorbing seats, which increase crew safety against explosions.

Interesting details from the story

Interestingly, the original Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) was developed by the Canadian company General Dynamics Land Systems back in 1976. Nearly 500 units were produced, not only for the Canadian military but also sold worldwide. This 11-ton vehicle on a 6×6 wheeled chassis featured adaptable equipment and armaments, making it a versatile option for any unit. Three main models were eventually developed under the names Cougar, Grizzly, and Husky.

Later, General Dynamics Land Systems decided to upgrade the first series of Light Armored Vehicles (LAV). They introduced the 14-ton “LAV II” with a more versatile 8×8 wheel configuration. This armored personnel carrier entered service in the 1980s. Interestingly, while these armored vehicles had different names across countries, they were essentially the same model. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) designated it as the “LAV-25.” Meanwhile, Canada named their versions “Coyote” and “Bison,” and Australia chose to call theirs “ASLAV.”

The LAV II was subsequently upgraded to the LAV III, which participated in numerous UN and NATO missions alongside the Canadian Army. Engagement in these operations led to damage to a portion of the armored vehicle fleet, with reports indicating that only two-thirds of the LAV III units remained operational. Significant equipment losses occurred during the mission in Afghanistan, where Canadian forces lost over 34 vehicles, and another 359 sustained damage. The armored vehicles were often put out of commission by roadside bombs or enemy fire.

In July 2009, Canada’s Department of National Defence announced a $5 billion CAD investment aimed at upgrading, replacing, and repairing the army’s armored vehicles. Part of this budget was allocated to replace and repair the LAV III vehicles damaged during operations in Afghanistan, where it was reported that 33% of the army’s light armored vehicles had been rendered inoperable.

The most significant development occurred in October 2011 when the Canadian government signed a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, valued at $1.064 billion CAD ($990 million USD). This funding was directed toward modernizing the Canadian Army’s fleet of 550 LAV III vehicles.

Thus, in 2011, the first prototypes of the fourth-generation armored personnel carriers — the LAV 6.0 — emerged. Compared to the previous, third-generation vehicles, these armored carriers incorporated a range of significant upgrades. Firstly, they were equipped with a new, more powerful engine. Additionally, the LAV 6.0 models featured enhanced armor, as well as modernized steering and braking systems, further improving their performance and resilience on the battlefield.

This modernization effort for the third-generation armored personnel carriers proved so successful that the Canadian government ultimately decided to abandon the development of entirely new vehicles, focusing instead on an evolutionary approach — transforming the LAV III into the LAV 6.0. Consequently, in September 2012, a contract was signed for the manufacturer to upgrade 550 units of the LAV III. The total cost of this project reached $1.8 billion, underscoring the commitment to enhancing the capabilities of existing armored vehicles rather than starting from scratch.

In November 2014, a contract worth CAD 287 million (approximately USD 255 million) was signed to integrate an advanced suite of surveillance systems into the LAV 6.0. The armored personnel carrier underwent continuous upgrades and modernization, adding equipment for enhanced protection and creating new configurations.

In February 2017, an amendment to the contract was made, valued at CAD 404 million (around USD 303 million), which included the upgrade of 141 LAV III vehicles to the LAV 6.0 configuration.

It was in 2017 that the deployment of the LAV 6.0 armored personnel carrier took place. The new APC was showcased during NATO exercises called Operation REASSURANCE, which were held in Latvia. Since then, the LAV 6.0 ACSV has become an integral part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ arsenal.

Interestingly, besides Canada, these advanced armored personnel carriers are only in service with two countries: Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. Saudi Arabia arranged for the delivery of LAV III vehicles back in 2014, which were later upgraded to the LAV 6.0 version. The scale of the deal was massive. For $15 billion, Saudi Arabia acquired 928 LAV 6.0 APCs, meaning the average cost of each APC was around $16 million.

The Saudis received 119 units of three different modifications:

LAV 6.0 Heavy Assault Variant – equipped with a Cockerill CT-CV 105HP Weapon System, featuring a 105mm anti-tank cannon with automatic loading.
LAV 6.0 Anti-Tank Variant – this version is armed with Falarick 105 anti-tank missiles, which have a range of up to 5 km and can penetrate armor up to 550 mm thick.
LAV 6.0 IFV (Direct Fire Support) Variant – designed as an infantry fighting vehicle, this variant features lighter armament, with either 20mm or 30mm machine guns.

Among other variants are armored medical and evacuation vehicles, mobile command vehicles, and more.

Following the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine successfully negotiated the transfer of 39 LAV 6.0 ACSV armored personnel carriers for the needs of the Armed Forces. The new batch, as mentioned earlier, will be larger than the one received by the Defense Forces in 2022 and will consist of 50 armored vehicles.

Let’s take a closer look at the LAV 6.0 ACSV.

Design and protection features of the LAV 6.0 ACSV armored personnel carrier

As mentioned earlier, the LAV 6.0 ACSV is an upgraded version of the wheeled armored vehicle LAV III, developed by General Dynamics Land Systems. It continues to utilize an 8×8 wheeled chassis and combines this with a more modular approach to equipment, allowing for broader support of modern weaponry.

The LAV 6.0 ACSV is designed to transport infantry on the battlefield while providing excellent off-road mobility. It can be transported by C-17 and C-5 transport aircraft.

Externally, the LAV 6.0 ACSV retains the proven shape and functions of its predecessor. It features large road wheels and an excellent ground clearance. The glacis plate is shallow and wide, with the driver positioned on the left front of the vehicle, the commander seated behind, and the engine located on the right. This arrangement frees up the middle and rear sections of the hull for the turret, ammunition, onboard systems, and passenger seating. In addition to the traditional hatches on the roof of the hull and turret, there is a larger-than-usual entrance at the rear of the hull. The sides of the hull can accommodate everything from essential equipment to extra fuel.

The fourth-generation armored vehicle features a new double V-shaped hull for enhanced protection against explosive devices and mines, with internal spall liners that catch shrapnel. Additional modular armor can also be added. The crew and infantry benefit from state-of-the-art energy-absorbing seats designed to prevent serious injuries during a mine blast.

In other words, the LAV 6.0 ACSV boasts an armored hull (DVH) that provides excellent protection against explosive devices and mines, significantly increasing crew survivability. This vehicle is equipped with an upgraded suspension system and a more powerful engine, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The reinforced armor of the LAV 6.0 ACSV provides critical protection for medical teams and injured personnel against small arms fire and shrapnel, ensuring safer evacuations in high-risk environments where conventional evacuation vehicles may not withstand threats such as artillery bombardments or drone attacks.

The LAV ACSV incorporates measures to reduce its visibility, not only in the thermal spectrum but also in the radar spectrum. The vehicle is equipped with laser illumination sensors and has the capability to integrate an active protection system designed to intercept enemy projectiles in flight. All these features aim to enhance the safety of crew members and troops in the troop compartment.

The 8×8 chassis vehicle measures 7.62 meters in length, 2.78 meters in width, and 3.16 meters in height, with a maximum gross weight of 28,636 kilograms.

During the upgrade, the original 275-horsepower engine was replaced with a new 450-horsepower CAT diesel engine. The suspension was upgraded to a more robust hydropneumatic system that can support additional weight and provide improved off-road capabilities, along with the potential for future armor enhancements.

Despite the increased weight, mobility tests have shown that the vehicle performs better off-road than the LAV III.

A remote weapon station with advanced electronics and targeting systems is installed on top of the vehicle to enhance self-defense capabilities. Various additional equipment can be integrated into the armored vehicle to support a full range of missions.

Read alsо: Weapons of Ukraine’s Victory: Otokar Cobra II Armored Combat Vehicle

Armament of the APC LAV 6.0 ACSV

It’s important to understand that this is an armored vehicle, so it won’t feature extremely powerful armament.

The primary weapon remains the same as that of the LAV III, but the fire control systems have been updated with new targeting technology, enhancing range and accuracy when firing from the main gun. Thus, the main armament installed on the turret of the LAV 6.0 ACSV is the 25-mm single-barrel M242 Bushmaster cannon, which has a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute. This allows it to effectively engage light armored vehicles, aerial targets, structures, and enemy personnel.

The armored vehicle is also equipped with supplementary armament that complements the main weapon. This includes a 7.62-mm paired machine gun, which has a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute and can effectively engage enemy personnel and weaponry.

Additionally, there is the option to install another swiveling 7.62-mm machine gun and a 76-mm smoke grenade launcher.

Observation and fire control

The driver’s sight is equipped with three M17 periscopes, thermal cameras, and rearview cameras to provide visibility both forward and backward during day and night operations.

An observation block is also included in the rear ramp of the vehicle’s combat compartment, allowing the troops to monitor the battlefield situation as well.

The turret is equipped with a day and thermal sight, an electro-optical converter (EOC), six periscopes, and a tactical display.

A laser warning system is installed to detect and analyze laser and radar threats.

LAV 6.0 ACSV APC engine and mobility

The fourth-generation LAV 6.0 ACSV armored vehicle is equipped with a new Caterpillar C9 diesel engine producing 450 horsepower. It works in conjunction with a modern seven-speed dual-clutch ZF transmission.

Additionally, the armored vehicle features an eight-wheel independent hydro-pneumatic suspension with a height adjustment mechanism. It also boasts a single-speed transfer case, high-friction differentials, and a permanent all-wheel drive with the option to engage drive to all eight wheels.

The LAV 6.0 ACSV features MICHELIN 395/85 R20 cargo tires with Run-Flat technology, enhancing the vehicle’s maneuverability in extreme conditions. It is equipped with drum brakes with an anti-lock braking system for all wheels. Additionally, a central tire inflation system is employed, further improving its off-road capabilities.

These armored vehicles, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h off-road and up to 100 km/h on highways, have earned the nickname “Super Bison.” They have a working range of 600 km.

Additionally, the LAV 6.0 ACSV can traverse trenches up to 2 meters wide and overcome vertical obstacles up to 60 cm high. It can ascend slopes of 60% and side slopes of 30%, with a turning radius of less than 19 meters.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the APC LAV 6.0 ACSV

Dimensions: length 7.62 m, width 2.78 m, height 3.16 m
Armor: standard spaced multi-layer armor. Protection against 7.62 mm caliber shells, artillery shell fragments, mines, fragments and improvised explosive devices.
Armament: 25 mm single barrel M242 Bushmaster cannon, twin 7.62 mm machine guns. Additionally, there is an option to add another 7.62 mm machine gun and a 76 mm smoke grenade launcher.
Weight in combat gear: 28636 kg
Engine: 8.8-liter six-cylinder diesel engine Caterpillar C9
Power: 450 hp, 2200 rpm
Maximum speed: 100 km/h
Operating range: 600 km
Capacity: 3 crew members + 7 special forces soldiers
Additional equipment: CBRN protection system, night vision thermal imagers, navigation system (GPS/INS).

The design of the LAV 6.0 ACSV (Armored Combat Support Vehicle) allows for effective maneuverability in various conditions, including rugged or snowy terrain and off-road situations that are often inaccessible to standard military vehicles. This adaptability to the environment is vital for transporting troops stationed in remote or challenging locations, ensuring quick evacuation of the wounded for medical assistance. Furthermore, the armored vehicle’s capability to operate in any weather and during nighttime means it can provide around-the-clock medical support, enabling continuous evacuation operations that are unaffected by the time of day or weather conditions.

Canadian fourth-generation armored personnel carriers are already helping Ukrainian forces eliminate the enemy on the front lines. I am confident that such a reliable and protected armored vehicle is essential for our defenders. Therefore, we are sincerely grateful to our Western partners, especially our friends in Canada, for their support and the supply of modern weaponry.

We believe in our defenders. The invaders have nowhere to escape from retribution. Death to the enemies! Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!

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Weapons of Ukrainian Victory: LAV 6.0 ACSV Armored Personnel Carrier