LAV-AG(S) - Wheeled 90 mm Assault Gun

Suggestions Ground
1
Would you like to see this in-game?
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
If so, what BR?
  • 8.3
  • 8.7
  • 9.0
  • 9.3
  • I said no!
0 voters

LAV-AG(S) - Wheeled 90 mm Assault Gun

Hello!

Hi everyone,

I wanted to suggest the LAV-AG(S), in Saudi Arabian National Guard service. Made in Canada, it features a Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret with 90mm Cockerill Mk 8 gun mated to a General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada (then General Motors of Canada) LAV II.

LAV-AG(S)
LAV-AG(S)1024×564 63.4 KB

LAV-AG(S)s on parade.

History:

In 1973, the Office of the Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization (OPM-SANG) program was established, following an agreement by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud with the U.S. Ambassador (GlobalSecurity, 2011). The OPM-SANG was tasked with turning the National Guard into a modern, light mechanized force. In cooperation with the Vinnell corporation, this was done using the Cadillac-Gage Commando V-150 series of armoured cars, including those armed with TOW, and 90mm cannon. By the late 1980s, V-150s needed replacement. This modernization would take the form of the LAV II. The Saudi LAV modernization would come to include combat vehicles such as the LAV-25(S) with Delco LAV-25 turret, LAV-AT(S) with M901 TOW, LAV-M(S) with Royal Ordnance 120mm AMS, and the LAV-AG(S) with Cockerill LCTS 90MP (Lytle, 1998).

This was not the first time that Saudi Arabia had dealt with the General Motors of Canada LAV. In the very late 1980s to early 1990s, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Aviation (MODA) ordered several hundred Piranhas/LAVs (Foss, 2006), including 140 TS-90 equipped assault guns (Sipri, n.d.), tank destroyers, personnel carriers, and command posts.

6babdab236e91e4d639a7285ecd2c9f2
Column of Saudi LAV-AG(S).

The initial 1990 SANG order for LAVs numbered 1,117 vehicles (Lytle, 1998) but did not yet include the 90 millimeter assault guns. Afterwards, a contract was awarded in 1999 for 130 assault gun vehicles equipped with the LCTS 90 turret of CMI Defence. By 2004 these vehicles had been delivered (Sipri, n.d.). In keeping with their light mechanized doctrine, these vehicles use their mobility to quickly engage positions and avoid retaliatory fire. These vehicles have most recently participated in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, and have been seen firing on Houthi positions from a distance, leveraging their advanced optics and fire-control systems (Aldo t, 2022).

In the mid 2000s, another order was placed for 132 LAVs to equip the SANG’s 9th Battalion (Foss, 2006). Another order was placed in the late 2000s for 84 LAV-AGs (Sipri, n.d.).

6659afeb612b3c1487773824ee204c44
LAV-AG(S) from John Cockerill promotional material.

Naming Convention:

There is conflict over the naming convention for the LAV-AG(S). At the time of the 1999 order, the LCTS 90 armed LAV was referred to as the LAV-AG(S) by Tank-automotive & Armaments Command (Lytle, 1998). However, MODA TS-90 armed LAVs/Piranhas have also been referred to as LAV-AGs by Foss (2006). Maintainers (Vauaghan, n.d.) and trainers (Bonesteel, n.d.) refer to both a LAV-AG(S), LAV-AG(S)A1 (which received new operator training in 2016), and 144 “legacy Light Armor Vehicle-Assault Gun” (Vaughan, n.d.).

If there is a substantial difference between the follow-on orders, and 1999 order it could explain the LAV-AG(S) and LAV-AG(S)A1 distinction. The MODA LAVs/Piranhas could also refer to the legacy LAVs under a new name. It is also worth considering the LAV 700AGs purchased during the mid 2010s by the Saudi Arabian Royal Guard, but these began delivery in 2019 (anthonyfenton, 2021).

For simplicity, I will use LAV-AG(S) to describe LCTS 90MP equipped LAVs ordered in 1999.

Automatic loader:

Whether these vehicles include a true autoloader is unknown. The turret comes equipped with a mechanically-driven loader assist function, that immobilizes the gun and aligns each round with the breech (Foss, 2004). However, it is unknown if this is explicitly the “advanced autoloader” (John Cockerill) in the turret bustle described in current marketing materials. The AL90 autoloader is part of the LAV-AG(S)A1’s equipment (Vaughan, n.d.), but no other information on this autoloader is available (whether this is the loader assist or not).

For this suggestion, I will assume loader-assist only.

FGPW_6BXIAM390g
FGPW_6BXIAM390g1920×1279 225 KB

Possibly knocked-out LAV-AG(S) in hull down position, with dust cover still on the barrel.

Specifications (some figures from base LAV II):

Characteristics:

Combat Weight: 12,797 kg
Length: 6.393m
Width: 2.499m
Height: 2.692m
Powerplant: Detroit Diesel 6V-53T Diesel, 275 hp at 2,800 rpm
Transmission: Allison MT-653 automatic, 5 forward 1 reverse
Crew: 3 - Commander, Gunner, Driver

Protection:

Hull front upper - 8 mm at 23 degrees
Hull front lower - 8 mm at 45 degrees
Hull sides - 10mm at 55 degrees
Turret - STANAG Level 1 at least, STANAG level 4 with add-on (unknown level for LAV-AG(S))

2 x 4 clusters of smoke launchers on turret

Armaments:

Cockerill LCTS 90MP with Cockerill Mk 8 gun:

  • Ammunition: 3 in basket + 17 in turret bustle + 22 in hull near rear doors (likely, based off AGV-90)
    • M690A1 APFSDS
    • M691A2 HEP-T
    • M693A2 SMK-WP-T
    • It is unknown whether Saudi Arabia has procured the Falarick 90
  • Vertical Guidance: +19/-8
  • Traverse: 28v electric gun and turret drive
  • Mechanically-assisted loading by Commander

7.62mm coaxial machine gun, optional 12.7mm M2HB machine gun in commander’s cupola

Optics and Fire Control:

Day/Night sight with thermal imagery
Commander’s panoramic sight with commander override
Laser rangefinder with ballistic computer

CVecycaWUAAB8LC
Column of LAV-AG(S)s from the rear.

Let me know what you think with a comment! How would you like to see this implemented in game?

Thanks,

Hydroxideblue

References:

5 Likes
2

+1 more LAVs.

3 Likes
3

There are many nations this could go to, but however it comes, I support it. +1

1 Like
4

I’m making most of my LAV suggestions with a Canadian tree in mind. Probably would be best as Operator Nation: Saudi Arabia/User Nation: Canada

3 Likes
5

More LAV can’t hurt!
+1
I’ll add it to the list:

3 Likes