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AAV7A1
United Defense LVTP7 AAAV (USA) (now designated AAV7A1 by US Marine Corps)
KEY RECOGNITION
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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
Crew: Armament: Ammunition: Length: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Weight, empty: Power-to-weiqht ratio: Engine: Maximum road speed: Maximum water speed: Maximum road range: Fuel capacity: Fording: Vertical obstacle: Trench: Gradient: Side slope: Armour: Armour type: NBC system: Might vision equipment:
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 13.5km/hr (waterjets), 7.2km/hr (tracks) 482km 681 lit Amphibious 0.914m 2.438m 60% 60% 45mm (maximum) Aluminium None Yes (for driver only) * US vehicles have new turrets with 40mm grenade launcher and 12.7mm MG
DEVELOPMENT
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.
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.
TRACKED APCs /WEAPONS CARRIERS
LVTP7A1 with 40mm/12.7mm turret. From 1986/87 many vehicles have been fitted with a new turret called the Upgunned Weapons Station which is armed with a 40mm grenade launcher and a 12.7mm machine gun. LVTP7A1 is LVTP7 rebuilt, improvements including new Cummins engine, smoke generating capability, passive night vision equipment and improved electric weapon station under Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). In addition to SLEP new vehicles were built to LVTP7A1 standard with final deliveries in 1986 to US Marine Corps and some export customers. LVTP7A1 with applique armour, some US Marine Corps vehicles have been fitted with the Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (EAAK) as the replacement for the earlier P900 armour kit.
STATUS
Production complete. In service with Argentina, Brazil, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Venezuela and USA. In US Marine Corps service this will be replaced by the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle under development by General Dynamics/.
MANUFACTURER
United Defense LP, San Jose, California, USA.
