Mowag Piranha

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LAV (lymphadenopathy-associated virus) was also an original name of HIV

Image:LAV25-1.jpg Image:KOCR 049.jpg Image:IAVFiringCanon.jpg Image:Stryker-IFV-50cal.jpg Image:15 at Vets 001.jpg Image:021002-M-2706G-003.jpg

The Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV, also called Mowag Piranha) is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed and manufactured by the Swiss Mowag corporation (now General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems).

It is available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 wheel versions. There are several variants within these versions, giving different degrees of armour protection and several kinds of turrets, for use in a variety of roles. Piranha derivatives have been assigned roles as troop transports, command vehicles, fire support vehicles, tank trainers, and police vehicles.

Piranhas are used by the Swiss Army. Swiss-built Piranha derivatives have been exported to Chile, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Spain. Piranha derivatives have been manufactured under licence by General Dynamics (Canada), BAE Systems Land Systems (UK), Komatsu (Japan), FAMAE (Chile), and in the USA.

The Belgian Army is evaluating the procurement of the Piranha, while simultaneously removing the current main battle tank, the Leopard, from the inventory.

The controversial 8x8 US Army Stryker vehicle is probably the most well-known vehicle derived from the Piranha. The Australian Defence Force also has its own modified version of the Piranha known as the ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle). The ASLAV is operated by two cavalry regiments (the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment) and is used in the armoured reconnaissance and armoured personnel carrier roles.

Some variants, like the United States Marine Corps's Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV-25) variants are equipped with propellers, for limited water-borne use. For example, LAV-25s can cross rivers, but would get swamped in all but the most sheltered open water.

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