LMV-2: Light but Stronger – Iveco Upgrades the Light, Multirole Vehicle, that will be the future of the Brazilian Army LMV

By: Wording OD

Iveco introduced at Eurosatory 2016 an improved, higher performace new variant of its Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) family of light tactical vehicles. Sofar Iveco delivered over 4,000LMVs to 13 customers worldwide. The largest fleets are operating in Italy, Belgium, UK, Russia and Spain. The new vehicle designated LMV 2 is a major improvement over the original LMV, that has been modified and adapted through the years, adding more protection, capacity and electronics to meet user demand. LMV 2 increases the baseline platform to better meet new demands, for higher performance, greater reliability and increased crew comfort. The result is a growth of about 40 percent in payload capacity from 800 up to 1500 kg, depending on vehicle configuration and armor suite.

One of the main improvements in the new LMV-2 is the digital dashboard, providin the driver a clear indication of the driving condition plus maintenance information required for scheduling maintenance work. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

The previous model was limited in its payload carrying capacity, especially with some configurations required to carry over half a ton of electronic equipment to support combat missions. In such circumstances, electrical power supply has also been an issue with past versions. The new version is powered y a 220 hp diesel engine coupled to an upgraded driveine capable of managing increased power levels. The air filtration has also been enhanced to cope with the increased engine intake. A new automatic eight speed gearbox (adding two speeds over the previous transmission). This change is making gear transitions smoother, particularly off-road. The vehicle is also equipped with a new, automatic drive management (ADM) system to support optimized performance in off-road mobility. Another improvement is the addition of electrnic stability control (ESP) that also helps manage off-road mobility and enhance driving safety on road.

The doors are built of lighter, stronger materials to increase protection from IEDs. Additional durability is provided with the additional hinge added to each door. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

The protected crew cell is supports five fully equipped soldiers with body armor and combat webbing. Protection level has been improved in the new model, particularly in the IED protection, by using an extra hinge to the ballistic and blast protected side doors. The new hard top ‘dual role’, mae of a ballistic steel monocoque framework with lightweight aluminum/steel roll bar, allows the vehicle to carry a manual or remote weapon station turrets. Using new, advanced passive protection in the side doors enables the designers to maintain the door weight by increasing the level of protection. The vehicle is designed to carry more electronic a dn mission systems, including radios, computers, battle management (BMS) systems, intercome, jammers, satellite communications, remote weapon stations and optronic sensors. 

The cabin of the new LMV-2 is configured to accommodate five fully equipped and protected soldiers and their gear. The roof is made of steel hardtop augmented with Aluminum rollbar, with openings accommodating a gunner hatch, and fittings for gunner protection ki or remote weapon station. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

Carefull design of the vehicle’s electronic networking and power distribution systems minimizes electromagnetic interference (EMC). Subsystems integration has also been eased through the implementation of a new vehicle digitised electronic architecture and an improved power supply. Maintenance has been simplified by reducing the number of replaceable systems and improving the type and location of components that have been hard to access in the past. Furthermore, the digitised dashboard provides maintenance data and indications on demand, allowing the crew to accurately review and schedule maintenance tasks, instead of predicting and scheduling preventive maintenance.

The LMV-2 from Iveco looks similar to the original LMV, but can carry almost 40 percent more payload. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

Editor's Note: In April 2016, the Brazilian Army, declared IVECO as the winner of a competition for a 32 LMV's acquisition agreement, and that it presupposes that this LMv2, may come to be the vehicles that They will be delivered to the Army.

Two new light armored vehicles displaed a Rafael’s booth – the LMV from Iveco and Sandcat, from Plasan. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defese-Update

A vew from below, showing Rafael’s Trophy LV ‘crown’ installed around the LMV. The corners can also accomodate gunshot detection systems. A different system using Rheinmetall’s ADS active protection has been configured for this vehicle in the past. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

Rafael displayed the LMV-1 fitted with the Trophy Light (LV) Active Protection System (APS) kit, providing the light vehicle an effective, close-in protection from RPG attack. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

SOURCE: http://defense-update.com/