Australian Military Vehicles Research

Australian ASLAV Nomenclature

The following nomenclature is used to describe the Australian LAV (ASLAV) family of vehicles in current service with the Australian Army:

LAV 25 – the basic USMC LAV armed with a 25mm Delco turret.

ASLAV – the production version of the Australian modified Light Armoured Vehicle Family of Vehicles.  This name is made up from AU (NATO abbreviation for Australia) and LAV standing for light armoured vehicle.

Phase I – un modified General Motors Canada produced vehicles and purchased from the USMC.  These vehicles were the LAV 25 and  LAV Recovery.  Several  LAV APC (Bison) were also loaned from Canada.

Phase II – these are the LAV FOV modified to Australian requirements (133 purchased)

Phase III – follow on order of Phase II vehicles incorporating additional Australian requirements (144 purchased and all phase II brought up to Phase 3 standards)

Type I – ASLAV 25 – Delco turreted version with a 25mm main gun

Type II – second hull type - personnel carrier version used as a basis for ambulance, command, APC and surveillance vehicles.  These versions were initially armed with a 50 calibre machine gun.  Subsequently the machine gun was replaced by the Kongsberg RWS on some ASLAV Type IIs.

Type III – a third hull type with a slightly raised rear superstructure and is the basis for the fitters and recovery version of the ASLAV.  These versions are generally armed with an FN MAG 58 on a gun ring.  The hull is that same but depending on the role required it can be changed to suit requirements.  The Type III hulls also have the Kongsberg RWS mounted over the engine grills (Seal Solution RWS).

RWS – Remote Weapons Station as used by the ASLAV FOV.  This is a Kongsberg remote weapons station.  Known as Protector or M151 in US Army service.  This RWS can be mounted on the commander's cupola in place of the 50 cal machine gun (ADI Mount)  or over the engine deck (Seal Solutions Mount).

MRIK – Mission Role Installation Kit.  This is a unique Australian modification that enables the Type II and III hull types to be modified to suit the mission required.  The Type II hull with the installation of appropriate MRIK can be configured as either an APC, ambulance, command or surveillance vehicle.  The type III hull can be made to be either a fitter or recovery version by installation of the appropriate MRIK.