
The LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems. It is used by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army for a variety of functions, including security, command and control, reconnaissance, and assault. With a range of 410 miles, a speed of 62 mph on land, and 6 mph in water, the LAV-25 combines speed, maneuverability, and firepower. But how much fuel does it burn?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics Land Systems |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel 6V53T |
| Armament | M242 25mm Bushmaster chain gun, M240 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenades |
| Range | 410 miles |
| Speed | 62 mph, 6 mph in water |
| Crew | 3 crew, 6 troops |
| Weight | 27,900 pounds |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Fuel Economy | Decreases in 8-wheel drive |
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What You'll Learn

The LAV-25's Detroit Diesel engine
The LAV-25 is a light armoured vehicle, or LAV, that was originally manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems in the mid-1980s. The LAV-25 is powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine, a two-stroke 318ci V-6 with 225 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of nearly 70 mph on land and just over 6 mph in the water.
The LAV-25 combines speed, manoeuvrability and firepower to perform a variety of functions for the U.S. Marine Corps, including security, command and control, reconnaissance and assault. The vehicle is all-terrain and all-weather, with night capabilities. It can be transported by ships, military cargo planes, and CH-53E helicopters.
The LAV-25 has been upgraded several times, with improvements made to its powerpack, cooling capacity, diagnostics, fuel economy, and drivetrain. The LAV-25A2 entered service in October 2007, with upgrades including an improved armour package, suspension, and drivetrain components to support heavier armour. The LAV-25A3, currently in development, will include improvements to reliability, cooling capacity, diagnostics, and fuel economy.
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Fuel economy and range
The LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems. It is powered by a 6V53T Detroit Diesel turbo-charged engine and is four-wheel drive (rear wheels) transferable to eight-wheel drive. The vehicle operates on diesel fuel and can reach typical land speeds of approximately 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in either four- or eight-wheel drive. However, fuel economy decreases in eight-wheel drive.
The LAV-25 has a range of 410 miles, with a maximum speed of 62 mph on land and 6 mph in water. Its amphibious capabilities allow it to swim in non-surf bodies of water, such as lakes or streams, with a maximum speed of approximately 12 km/h (7.5 mph) using equipped propellers.
The LAV-25 has undergone several upgrades and variants to enhance its performance and fuel economy. The LAV-25A1 variant entered service in May 2003, featuring improvements in corrosion resistance, electronics, and the addition of a heads-up display for the driver. The LAV-25A2 variant further enhanced protection against improvised explosive devices and kinetic energy penetrators, incorporating a three-tier appliqué armor suite and improving the hull's internal protection.
The LAV-25's fuel economy and range are also influenced by its weight and terrain capabilities. The vehicle can weigh up to 27,900 pounds and is designed to cross a trench 81 inches wide, climb a 60% grade, or traverse a 30% slope. It offers impressive mobility and maneuverability, with a 51-foot turning radius, making it well-suited for strategic and tactical operations.
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Modifications and upgrades
The LAV-25 is a light armoured vehicle that is powered by a 6V53T Detroit Diesel turbo-charged engine and is capable of being driven in four-wheel or eight-wheel drive. The LAV-25 has undergone several modifications and upgrades since its introduction, including:
Service Life Extension Program (SLEP): This program was initiated in 2000 to extend the lifespan of the LAV-25. As part of SLEP, visual and thermal characteristics were improved by applying camouflage panels and modifying the engine exhaust. SLEP-designated vehicles are known as LAV-25A1 and entered service in May 2003.
LAV-25A2: This upgrade reflected lessons learned from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The LAV-25A2 includes a three-tier appliqué armour suite to protect against improvised explosive devices and kinetic energy penetrators. The hull's internal protection was also enhanced, and an automatic fire suppression system was installed. The turret hydraulics were replaced by an electric system to reduce the risk of fire. Additionally, the gunner was provided with an improved thermal sight system, and the driver's image intensifying periscope was replaced with a thermal viewer.
LAV-A3: In January 2019, General Dynamics was awarded a contract to upgrade the Marine Corps' LAV fleet to the A3 variant. This upgrade includes improvements to the powerpack, such as enhanced reliability, cooling capacity, diagnostics, and fuel economy. The LAV-A3 also features a new drivetrain for improved towing capability, a steering dampener for better road feel, and a digitised driver's instrument panel.
Lethality Program (FY2007-FY2010): This program focused on upgrading the LAV-25's M242 gun and associated hardware and software. The upgrades enabled the LAV-25 to fire M919 25mm Armor-Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot (Depleted Uranium) with tracer ammunition, significantly enhancing its lethality.
Improved Thermal Sight System (ITSS): The LAV SLEP ITSS upgrade replaces the Generation I thermal sight with a more advanced Generation II system, offering greater ranges for detection, recognition, and identification. The new sight also incorporates features such as an integrated laser range finder, fire control computer, target motion indicator, and target coordinate computation.
The LAV-25 has been continuously upgraded to enhance its performance, survivability, and lethality to meet the evolving requirements of modern warfare. These modifications ensure that the LAV-25 remains a capable and versatile platform for the U.S. Marine Corps and Army.
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Transport and mobility
The LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle. It was originally built by General Dynamics in the mid-1980s and has since been upgraded several times. The LAV-25 combines speed, manoeuvrability, and firepower to perform a variety of functions for the U.S. Marine Corps, including security, command and control, reconnaissance, and assault.
The LAV-25 is powered by a Detroit Diesel turbo-charged engine and is four-wheel drive (rear wheels) transferable to eight-wheel drive. The vehicle operates on diesel fuel and can reach speeds of up to 62 mph on land and 6 mph in the water. The LAV-25 is fully amphibious and can be prepared for water in just three minutes. While engaged in amphibious operations, the maximum speed is approximately 7.5 mph using equipped propellers.
The LAV-25 has a range of 410 miles and can be transported by ships, military cargo planes, and CH-53E helicopters. It can also be airdropped from transport aircraft, as demonstrated by tests conducted by the U.S. Army's Operational Test Command (OTC) Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate at Fort Bragg. The LAV-25 can be delivered anywhere in the world and is designed for all-weather, all-terrain strategic and tactical mobility.
The LAV-25 has a crew of three: a driver, gunner, and vehicle commander (VC). The passenger compartment can accommodate six Scouts, but typically only four are carried. The LAV-25 is also equipped with a winch to assist in recovery operations if the vehicle becomes stuck.
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Crew and passenger capacity
The LAV-25 Light Armoured Vehicle is a member of the LAV II family. It is an eight-wheeled amphibious armoured reconnaissance vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems. It is used by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army.
The LAV-25 carries a crew of three: a driver, a gunner, and a vehicle commander (VC). The VC sits on top of the turret on the right, the gunner sits in the turret to the left, and the driver is up front. The passenger compartment has accommodations for six Scouts, but typically only four are carried.
The LAV-CC is a Type I raised roof chassis outfitted with communication stations that allow the unit commander to command, control, and communicate (C3) the activities of his forces under full armoured protection. This version has space for a unit commander and four staff members or radio operators. The crew consists of the vehicle commander and driver.
The LAV-AD is a modified Type I Chassis mated with a Blazer Air Defence Turret developed by General Dynamics Ordinance Systems for the USMC. The crew consists of the vehicle commander, driver, and gunner.
The LAV-ATM has a crew of four: a driver, commander, gunner, and loader.
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