The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is a license produced version of the Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH, being produced by General Motors Land Systems. It entered service with the Canadian Army in 1999, Canada's primary mechanized infantry vehicle.
The US Army uses a modified variant, called M1126 Stryker, which is fitted with a remote weapon station in place of the turret. In Latin America, the similar V300 Cadillac Gage vehicle (later renamed LAV-300) was used by Manuel Noriega's Panamanian Defence Forces (Fuerzas de Defensa de Panamá, FFDD) during Operation Just Cause (1989), the US invasion of Panama.
The Kodiak has improved armor protection, comparing with previous Swiss MOWAG Piranhas. Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds. A ceramic add-on armor can be installed for a higher level of protection. It protects against 14.5 mm machine guns fire. Some sources claim, that front armor of the Kodiak with add-on armor plates can withstand hits from 30 mm cannons. It makes the LAV III one of the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world. This armored vehicle can be also fitted with a cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank rockets. Undercarriage was strengthened for improved mine-blast survivability. Vehicle is fitted with an automatic fire suppression system and NBC protection system. The Kodiak has a crew of three, and can carry 6-7 troops. Soldiers enter and leave the vehicle through the rear ramp or roof hatches.
The LAV III Kodiak's two-man turret is armed with the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Another 5.56 mm machine gun is positioned on top of the roof. The 25 mm chain gun fire standard NATO 25 mm ammunition, with a range of effective fire of 2,400 m. Both gunner and commander can fire the gun.
Vehicle is powered by a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine with 350 horsepower. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which allows to adjust to different types of terrain, thus extending cross-country mobility.
The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is not amphibious.
Role in Ghost Recon
The LAV III Kodiak is common in Bolivia, being used by both Santa Blanca and La Unidad, and by Los Extranjeros as their main Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) against the Kataris 26 guerrilla and the Ghosts. It is equipped with heavier armor than standard 4x4 vehicles and has a powerful rapid-fire 25mm chain gun. It's nimble and agile profile is well-suited for the Bolivian terrain. By being a wheeled vehicle, the LAV III has superior in-road mobility but suffers in more broken terrain, albeit still retaining some cross country capability.
Nomad and his Ghosts can commandeer this vehicle and use its heavier punch in order to accomplish its missions.; but the LAV III is not invincible and can be destroyed by concentrated fire or Apache rockets.
Gallery
Appearances
Ghost Recon Vehicles & Drones | |
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Ground Vehicles | M1 Abrams • M1126 Stryker • M2 Bradley • M109 • M113A2 ADATS • HMMWV • Ghost Truck • Jeep Armored SUV • Armored APC • T-62 • T-72 • T-80 • T-90 • T98 MBT • BTR-90 • BMP-2 • T86 IFV UAZ-469 • GAZ-66 • GAZ Tigr • WZ551 APC • 2S3 Akatsiya • 9K35 Strela-10 • PVRU SAM Launcher • FAV • 4x4 (Unidad) • Military Truck |
Aircraft | UH-60 Black Hawk • MH-60K Black Hawk • V-22 Osprey • Kestrel • V8-99 Sphinx Aurora • CH-47F Chinook • OH-58D Kiowa • AH-6 Little Bird • AH-64 Apache Helicopter AH-1 SuperCobra • RC-12 • Mi-24 Hind • Mi-8 Helicopter • WZ-9 Gunship • Ka-60 |
Drones | UAV Drone • Drone • M.U.L.E. • Warhound • Hammer drone • SUGV • DAR • GGT HD-MG • HD-SR • Bodark drone • UGCV drone • Heavy • VAR-SV • VAR-KP • VAR-RU LAZO • ZAR-V |