UK is putting the latest in 8×8 wheeled combat technologies, the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) Demonstrator, through its paces as it undertakes a 650-mile journey in less than 24 hours.

Travelling from Plymouth on the South Coast to Inverness, Scotland on Tuesday 20 October 2015 – with waypoints in Bridgwater, Gloucester, Stafford, Chorley, Carlisle and Stirling – the LAV Demonstrator will showcase its outstanding reliability and tactical mobility. These are just two of its capabilities in meeting the gruelling demands of modern warfare, whilst also delivering the extensive capabilities that might be required on future operations.

Based on the latest General Dynamics Land Systems 8×8 technologies now in service with the US and Canadian Armies, the LAV Demonstrator represents best-in-class levels of protection with blast-deflecting Double-V hull technology and energy-absorbing seating for crew and troops.  A sixth generation suspension and driveline and a more powerful engine provide superior mobility, reliability, and significantly increased payload over the original Strykers first fielded in 2002.

The LAV Demonstrator also incorporates the highly reliable and combat-proven Kongsberg PROTECTOR – Remote Weapon Station (RWS) M-151, 12.7mm, integrated with Javelin anti-tank missile system.  The system, when combined with the sensor package, smoke grenade dischargers and full stabilisation, markedly enhances the crew’s self-defence and firepower capability.

The Stryker LAV platform is currently in service with seven nations, including the US, Canada and Australia, with more than 10,000 LAVs delivered to date.  For the coalition forces, Stryker LAV offers the benefits of shared logistics infrastructure. All systems on the LAV Demonstrator are currently in production and available as off-the-shelf technology.

The LAV Demonstrator is the culmination of decades of experience in the design, development and delivery of world-leading combat vehicles and systems at General Dynamics Land Systems. This pedigree enables the Company to meet the specific requirements of customers, delivering some of the world’s most recognisable combat vehicles to Armed Forces around the world, including the Abrams Main Battle Tank, the Stryker and Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) families, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) wheeled combat vehicles.

In the UK, the Company is delivering AJAX, the future Armoured Fighting Vehicle for the British Army, the MRAP platforms for the British Army, including the Cougar, Ridgback, Mastiff, Buffalo and Wolfhound platforms, as well as the highly survivable and agile Ocelot tactical 4×4 vehicle, which is in-service as ‘Foxhound’.

The LAV Demonstrator will be accompanied on its journey by the Ocelot General Purpose Vehicle – Logistics (GPV-L). It is designed to provide intimate logistic support to combat troops, with a payload capacity of 2,500kg and can carry two standard NATO pallets on its load bed.   This versatile vehicle has the same chassis and driveline as the in-service Foxhound 4×4 Light Protected Patrol Vehicle and the same high levels of protection and mobility.  With a kerb weight of 6.5T, the Ocelot GPV-L can be air-lifted by CH-47, greatly enhancing its tactical deployment options.