|
|
Background
— Mercedes-Benz G-wagon LUVW — CF Variants |
|
G-wagon – CF Light Utility Vehicle, Wheeled (SMP) [1]
G-wagon LUVWs [2] are the standard CF ‘jeep’ for overseas deployments. CF G-wagons come
in three variants – ‘Basic’ light utility vehicles (distinguished by their bulky
roof-racks), Command and Reconnaissance (C&R) models (which have a rotating gun-mount in the centre of their
roof and, essentially similar, the Military Police version (with blue and red rotating ‘cruiser’ lights).
Often described as ‘armoured’, the G-wagon is
not an ‘armoured vehicle’. However, the G-wagons can be fitted with ‘add-on’
armour modules replacing body panels – enough to protect against rifle bullets or grenade
fragments.
|
|
|
The ‘Basic’ G-wagon – Four Doors and Four Seats to Go
The ‘Basic’ G-wagon is the Regular Forces replacement for the Iltis. By contrast with that
older vehicle, the G-Wagons are fully enclosed, diesel-powered and carry radios without needing to sacrifice
one of its four crew seats. Being larger and more powerful than its predecessor, the G-wagon
can carry more – 1500kg maximum payload (reduced to an Iltis- sized 500kg when ladened with an add-on
armour package) distributed between interior and the large tubular roof-rack. A trailer hitch is also fitted but, so
far, the G-wagon has no trailer to replace the old ‘750kg’.
|
|
|
G-wagon C&R (Command and Reconnaissance)
The G-wagon C&Rs are fitted with roof-top gun mounts consisting of a hatched 80cm turret ring and
a ‘weapons platform’. The gun mounts gave some trouble at first but now handle C6 GPMGs
and M2 heavy machine guns. The most dramatic change was the introduction of a new gun shield (left) to protect
the gunner. By all accounts, this new shield has been a great success (protection and ergonomics). However, if
the vehicle rolls or is knocked over by an IED, the gun mount tends to part company with the vehicle. The C&Rs
are three-seaters – a commander, driver, and gunner.
|
|
|
Can You Catch Speeders? MP’s G-wagon
The G-wagon Military Police variant is just a C&R with a rack for roof-top lights. MPs will use their
G-wagen for base patrols and off-road. Compared with an old MP Iltis, a G-wagen has lots of
power (156hp/115kW from the 2.7 litre OM 612 turbo-diesel ) but the G-Wagon is still no
‘highway star’. The MP LUVWs will likely be the least noticed of all Canadian Forces
G-wagon variants.
|
|
|
[1] LUVW is both the CF’s vehicle description and the competition to replace the
aged Iltis jeep which proven highly vulnerable in Kabul.
[2] Properly, the G-wagon is the CF’s Light Utility Vehicle, Wheeled - Standard Military Pattern (or
LUVW-SMP) to distinguish it from the LUVW-MilCOTS (Military Commercial-Off-the-Shelf) or ‘Milverado’,
GMC pickups replacing the Iltis in Reserves units (other than recce).
|
|
Credits –
all images: CF/DND, except exploded view & ‘Basic’ 3/4 view: ©Stephen
Priestley 2006 (no re-use without prior permission).
|
|