Komatsu LAV

Komatsu LAV
A Komatsu LAV parked at JASDF's Hamamatsu Air Base in central Japan. The roof-top shield has a provision for a machine gun.
TypeArmoured scout car
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service2002–present
Used byJapan
WarsIraq War
Production history
Designed1997[1]
ManufacturerKomatsu
Unit cost¥30 million[2]
Produced1997-2017
No. built1937 (2016)
Specifications
Mass4500 kg
Length4.4 m
Width2.04 m
Height1.85 m
Crew4+1 (MG or ATGM gunner)
Main
armament
Sumitomo M249 or Sumitomo M2HB
Secondary
armament
Type 01 LMAT or a Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile.
Engine4-cylinder diesel
160 hp
Drive4x4 wheeled
Transmission4 speed Automatic
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 100 km/h (Speeds can exceed 70mph)

The Komatsu light armored vehicle (Japanese: 軽装甲機動車; (kei-sōkō-kidōsha) is a Japanese military vehicle first produced in 2002. Currently used exclusively by the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), it has seen use in the Iraq War. It is built by Komatsu Limited. Defense Systems Division in Komatsu, Ishikawa, Japan.[3] Komatsu's factory designation for the vehicle is KU50W.[4]

The exterior resembles the Panhard VBL used by the French army, but the LAV has 4 doors and a large cabin for carrying soldiers. The LAV can also be transported by air in vehicles like the CH-47J and the C-130H.[5]

  1. ^ "Tamiya's Komatsu LAV Page". Tamiya. Archived from the original on 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  2. ^ 軽装甲機動車 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  3. ^ "Komatsu Production Page". Komatsu. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  4. ^ "Komatsu LAV Prototype" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  5. ^ 軽装甲機動車 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2012-10-25.