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Background
– Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle Project |
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Update: 09 July 2009 – as a part of a $5B announcement for LAV III upgrades and new armoured vehicle purchases, 200 TAPV-Recce are
to be bought to
replace Coyotes. It's not clear whether the TAPV-Recce (part of a larger order of 500 TAPV) elipses the old LARV Project.
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Future Vehicle – LARV (Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle)
In January 2006, the CF revealed that it planned to develop a LARV or Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle.
The new vehicle (described as a "mini-Coyote" ) would enter service in 2010-11. LARV would have a crew of
three (four max), an extensible electro-optic sensor mast with thermal imager/day camera and laser rangefinder
(and possibly a laser target designator), and be armed with a roof-top RWS (remote weapon station,
likely the same Kongsberg M151 as fitted to the new APV).
[1]
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Pupating LARVa ? – Possible LARV Candidates
Although the LARV is to slot in between the C&R G-wagon
and the Coyote, the new vehicles would be closer in size to the former. Possible models for the LARV mentioned
by its project director are the Panhard VBL (although that firm's private-venture VBR [2] seems like a closer
match), the US Humvee (perhaps thinking of Mowag's Eagle III derivative) and the experimental
RST-V (the hybrid-drive recce surveillance, and targeting vehicle for the USMC ).
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[1] The Kongsberg remote weapons station is similar in concept to the CF's in-service Protected Weapons
Station. M151 is the RWS' US designation, Kongsberg markets their overhead station as the Protector. Like
the PWS, the new RWS will be able to accommodate the C6 GPMG, M2HB HMG, or the CASW 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
'Slaving' the RWS to the mast-mounted sensors may be an option.
[2] The blandly named Véhicule Blindé à Roues ( Wheeled Armoured Vehicle ) is
essentially the VBL with a stretched crew compartment. Unlike the VBL, a VBR would readily accommodate four crew
stations and was designed for a RWS (but not for a extensible sensor mast ).
[3] The real question is whether appropriately-sized HFCs will be a mature technology in time for the LARV's
2010-11 launch date. Electric drive systems would be the same for either HFC or a non-linear diesel hybrid
(specialty diesel generators – such as those used by the film industry – show just how quiet a well
isolated, insulated and muffled diesel engine can be). It may be prudent to follow the lead of the US Future Combat
Systems project, aiming at initial deployment of non-linear diesel-electric hybrids, with a future upgrade to full
HFC power.
[4] The US chose Raytheon's Quick Kill counter-RPG system for Strykers (including the Mobile Gun
System). The Canadian Forces were reportedly interested in the Trophy Active Defense System devised by
an Israeli consortium (Rafael, IMI, and IAI/ELTA) for the LAV IIIs.
[5] Critics noted that the Coyote is really a highly capable surveillance vehicle, suggesting that smaller
G-wagon C&Rs were better-suited to escort duties. The former is certainly true, but the G-wagon proved
less than ideal for patrol or escort (at least in Afghanistan). LARV could
better perform basic reconnaissance duties although its tall sensor mast suggests a 'stay slinky' rather than
'fight it out' approach.
[6] The RST-V is a low-slung vehicle designed to make itself even lower for transport (the RST-V can 'squat'
to fit into smaller aircraft like the V-22 Osprey or to lower its 'hull down' profile). The same
suspension technique could be used (in reverse) to give an appropriately- shaped hull greater mine
and IED blast resistance. There is more than hull shape to consider in creating the first non-linear
diesel-electric hybrid mine-resistant vehicle. It would also dictate the placement of drive motors. The key
consideration with 'motor-in-wheel ' hybrids is usually sprung weight but, for a hybrid MRV, designers must also
decide if they can afford to 'sacrifice' drive motors as well as wheels. The alternative, of course, would be to
mount the electric motors inside the armour hull, protected from blast as well as from the elements.
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If musings about hydrogen fuel cells powering hybrid electric drive motors are taken seriously, the LARV would be
even more advanced than the RST- V. Electric drive is in the works for a number of future vehicle projects
since
RWS operation from any control station (including that of the driver). LARV's defensive aids suite
will identify threats (the vehicle may be fitted with the same active protection system planned for