Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV)

General Dynamics Land Systems
Close Move

The Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) from General Dynamics Land Systems

Program name:
Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV)

Program Description:
The A$700 million Project LAND 112 encompasses the upgrade and purchase of Light Armoured Vehicles for the Australian Army in four separate phases. Under Phase 1, the Commonwealth purchased 15 USMC LAVs in 1989 for testing and evaluation.

After its selection in 1992, 97 ASLAVs were ordered under Phase 2 of this programme with deliveries beginning in 1995. Final deliveries of 144 ASLAVs were completed late in 2004 under a Phase 3 contract awarded to GDLS-C in 2000. To date 255 ASLAVs have been procured by the Australian Army in seven configurations:

  1. LAV-25;
  2. Ambulance;
  3. Surveillance;
  4. Fitter;
  5. Recovery;
  6. Command Vehicle; and
  7. Personnel Carrier.

GDLS-Canada and GDLS-Australia are currently working on a US$ $9.8 million “Standardization” upgrade programme for the 97 ASLAVs procured under Phase 2 of LAND 112. This initiative will match the capabilities of these vehicles with the most recent purchase of the 144 Phase 3 ASLAVs.

In preparation for the deployment of ASLAV vehicles to Iraq in 2003 GDLS-A assisted with the integration of 10 Kongsberg Remote Weapon Stations (RWS). As well another measure taken to provide the ASLAVs with added protection involved an A$2.85 million contract to install spall liners in the ASLAVs bound for Iraq.

The Australian government’s announcement in February 2005 that it would deploy an additional 40 ASLAV vehicles to Iraq by May 2005 will likely result in similar upgrades being made to those vehicles.

In collaboration with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, the LAND 112 project office has developed a stand-off ‘bar’ armour system to further protect the ASLAVs. This system is similar in appearance and function to the slat armour on the US Army’s Stryker 8x8s. Two ASLAVs are presently undergoing user and integration evaluations with the prototype system and integration of this system onto more ASLAV vehicles is expected.

Under LAND 112 Phase 4 ASLAV Enhancement programme a number of improvements to the ASLAV fleet have been outlined including improved ballistic and mine protection, battlefield management, spall liners, and engine retrofit. This programme is valued in the Defence Capability Plan at A$200-250 million.

Customer(s):
Australian Army

Prime contractor:
General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada

Team members:
General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia

RSS