IVECO LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle)

History

Iveco, a long-term Italian truck manufacturer (founded in Turin in 1975), uses its design and manufacturing talents to produce a multi-faceted light utility vehicle (LMV). The product was designed in the second half of the 1990s and went into production in 2001 and continues to this day (2017).

The vehicle has been adopted by various operators outside the Italian Armed Forces (known as VTLM "Lince"), including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Lebanon, Norway, Russia and Slovakia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and UK. Its global reach demonstrates the genre's inherent versatility and resilience on today's battlefield.

The LMV was originally known to Iveco as M65E19 WM-4x4. In 2001, the first pilot vehicles were ready for testing.

The core of the LMV is a 6.5-ton system with a total length of 4.7 meters, a width of 2 meters and a height of 1.95 meters. It has a crew of 1 + 4, the "stretched" model adds two passengers. Armour protection for the crew is in accordance with STANAG 4569, although the armour layout is highly modular and adapted to the mission role as needed.

Power comes from an in-house 182 hp Iveco F1D common rail EURO 3 diesel unit, mounted to the front of the chassis and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission system. This enables road speeds close to 130 km/h and a range of up to 500 km. The car features four large wheels (runflats) suitable for both on- and off-road driving, and the chassis features a dual-A-arm independent suspension kit.

High ground clearance allows the vehicle to pass through low-lying water sources and other obstacles on the battlefield.

LMV makes extensive use of off-the-shelf components to reduce procurement costs and make the product logistically friendly to any country that needs the service of a 4x4 cyclist like LMV. Two different wheelbases are available - 3.2m and 3.5m.

Standard equipment includes a heated windshield, passenger compartment air conditioning and power steering (matched to an automatic transmission).

Since 2015, the LMV product line has introduced a 220 hp diesel engine and an 8-speed transmission system. This, along with other small improvements, adds to the tactical capabilities (and intrinsic value) of LMV products for various operators.

The vehicle can be defended by an optional Remote Weapon Station (RWS) mounted above the top (middle) of the fuselage. Otherwise, this part of the vehicle has an access opening and may have a trunnion mounted manual machine gun or automatic grenade launcher. Any personal weapons of the crew and passengers will also come into play as needed. A plunger rod can be added to the front of the truck, as can a power winch system.

The bottom of the hull is V-shaped and reinforced with armor to mitigate the effects of explosions beneath the vehicle - something that Italy's actions against enemy improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan have proven time and time again.

The British Army adopted the LMV as its "Panther" command and liaison vehicle to meet the requirements of the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) program. The car has 1+3 seats and is assembled in the UK factory.

The vehicle is equipped with the BAe day and night sighting system and Bowman communications equipment, as well as the AEI RWS. Hundreds have been built since launch, with some in stock already in service in the Afghan theater of operations.

In addition to the roughly 400 already delivered between 2006 and 2009, the British Army can supply a further 400 upon request.

The Russian Army version is called "Rys" and is assembled in Russian manufacturing plants.

About 4,000 LMVs have been produced to date (December 2017). Such is the versatility of the design, the vehicle is also sold in TOW Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM), Combat Ambulance, Cargo and Special Mission Support configurations.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on weapon.

Changes