United Defense LVTP7 AAAV (USA) (now designated AAV7A1 by US Marine Corps) KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES • Boat-shaped hull, nose sloping under forward part of hull to tracks, vertical front with glacis almost horizontal, hull sides vertical to rear of commander's cupola then slope inwards at an angle to troop compartment roof, large ramp at rear • Suspension has six road wheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, no track-return rollers, skirt over upper forward part of track • Driver's cupola front left with commander's cupola rear, MG cupola on right side of hull to rear of engine compartment
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SPECIFICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
Crew: Armament: Ammunition: Length: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Weight, empty: Power-to-weiqht ratio: Engine:
In the mid-1960s FMC Corporation (now United Defense, LP) was awarded a contract to design and build prototypes of a new armoured amphibious assault vehicle to replace the then current LVTP5 series. First prototypes were completed in September 1967 under the designation LVTPX12 and after trials it was accepted for service as LVTP7 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel, Model 7). First production models completed in 1971 and final deliveries in late 1974. Hull is all-welded aluminium, engine compartment to front right and MG turret to rear. Turret traverses through 360° and 12.7mm MG elevates from -15° to +60°. Driver sits front left with periscope that extends through roof of cupola, commander sits to rear. Troop compartment extends to hull rear with normal means of entry and exit via power-operated ramp in rear, troops and supplies can be loaded via overhead hatches when alongside ship. LVTP7 is fully amphibious, propelled by its tracks or via two waterjets, one each side of hull above idler. Specialised kits include stretcher, navigation, visor and winterisation.
3+25 1 x 12.7mm MG' 1,000 x 12.7mm* 7.943m 3.27m 3.263m (overall), 3.12m (turret roof) 0.406m 22,838kg 17,441kg 17.51hp/tonne Detroit Diesel model 8V-53T, 8cylinder, water-cooled, turbocharged diesel developing 400hp at 2,800rpm 64km/hr Maximum road speed: Maximum water speed: 13.5km/hr (waterjets), 7.2km/hr (tracks) 482km Maximum road range: 681 lit Fuel capacity: Amphibious Fording: 0.914m Vertical obstacle: 2.438m Trench: 60% Gradient: 60% Side slope: 45mm (maximum) Armour: Aluminium Armour type: NBC system: None Might vision equipment: Yes (for driver only) * US vehicles have new turrets with 40mm grenade launcher and 12.7mm MG
VARIANTS (excluding prototypes) LVTC7 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Command, Model 7), no MG cupola but extensive communications equipment. LVTR7 (Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery, Model 7), no MG turret but specialised equipment including winch and crane. LVTP7A1 with mine-clearing kit, basic LVTP7A1 with mineclearance kit inside troop compartment which is raised when required, fires rockets over front of vehicle into minefield. Other types of mine clearance system are being developed including plough.
