Komatsu LAV

Infobox Weapon
name= Komatsu LAV


caption=A Komatsu LAV on display at the JGSDF Ordnance School in Tsuchiura, Kanto, Japan.
origin= Japan
type=Light Armored Vehicle
is_vehicle=yes
service= 2002-Present
used_by= JGSDF
wars= Iraq War
designer=
design_date= 1997 [http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/35275light_armored/index.htm Tamiya's Komatsu LAV Page.] ]
manufacturer= Komatsu
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight= 4500kg
length=
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter=
crew= 4+1 (MG or ATGM gunner)
armour=
primary_armament= Can mount the Sumitomo M249 LMG or Sumitomo M2HB 12.7mm machine gun. Can also mount the Type 01 LMAT or a Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile.
secondary_armament= None.
engine= 4-cylinder diesel
engine_power= 160 hp
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=
pw_ratio=
suspension= 4x4 wheeled
clearance=
vehicle_range=
speed= 100 km/h
guidance=The nihongo|Komatsu LAV|軽装甲機動車|Keisoukoukidousha, first produced in 2002, is used exclusively by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, and has seen use in the Iraq War. [ [http://hometown.aol.com/davesarmour/jgsdflav.htm Tamiya 1/35th JGDSF LAV.] ] It is built by Komatsu Ltd. Defense Systems Division in Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan. [ [http://www.komatsu.com/CompanyInfo/profile/outline/production.html KOMATSU: Manufacturing Operations.] ]

It has a passing resemblance to Panhard's VBL, used by the French army.

History

The Komatsu LAV was developed in 1997 to meet a JGSDF need for an armored wheeled vehicle that could provide armored protection since their Toyota Koukidoushas and Mitsubishi Type 73 jeeps were not adequate to provide protection from small arms fire. [http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/35275light_armored/index.htm Tamiya's Komatsu LAV Page.] ]

It had made its first appearance in Kuwait when JGSDF units had deployed the Komatsu LAV prior to humanitarian operations in Samawa. [ [http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/03/five_for_fighti_7.html Five for Fighting 3/19/07.] ]

Variants

No variants are known to be available, but the Komatsu LAV can be armed with the Sumitomo M249 LMG [http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/lamv/lamv.html 軽装甲機動車.] ] or Sumitomo M2HB 12.7mm machine gun for anti-personnel duties. It can also mount the Type 01 LMAT [http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/lamv/lamv.html 軽装甲機動車.] ] or a Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile for anti-armored missions.

Komatsu LAVs can also be equipped with an armored turret around the Sumitomo M249 LMG or Sumitomo M2HB 12.7mm machine gun for the machine gunner, a pintle-mounted turret and 2 Smoke grenade dischargers on the rear sides of the vehicle.

Operators

*JPN: More than 1000 (2007)

ources

External links

* [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/1/1_9/ Official JGSDF Page.]
* [http://www15.tok2.com/home/lttom/military-powers_jgsdf/other/military-powers_keisokou.htm Military Powers Page.]