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View Full Version : USMC LAVs: Why No Cage Armor?


SoSo
05-25-2010, 07:24 PM
Just saw some US Marines in Afghanistan on the news, and I noticed that their LAVs have no cage armor, unlike all the US Army Strykers I've seen. I was wondering, can anyone tell me why?
brainplay
05-25-2010, 08:12 PM
Their suspension system on the A2's had to be upgraded to handle the extra weight of the new armor package. Can it handle a cage? Slat armor can get pretty heavy and cumbersome.
Maschinengewehrschutze
05-26-2010, 03:26 AM
theyre still uparmored, it seems to be doing the job so far
the commander is also protected with the turret blast shields
James
05-26-2010, 09:06 PM
The USMC's LAVs were originally meant to conduct reconnaissance, while the Army uses Strykers as IFVs. I don't think the Canadians have cage armor on their LAVs either.
0497
05-27-2010, 02:15 AM
The Aussies took the cage armor off their ASLAVs (LAV-25s/LAV IIs). Too bulky for their rapid mobility role.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?104774-request-pics-of-ASLAV-with-armour-on-turret
trunk_munkey28
05-27-2010, 02:34 AM
The USMC's LAVs were originally meant to conduct reconnaissance, while the Army uses Strykers as IFVs. I don't think the Canadians have cage armor on their LAVs either.
We do not.
Silverdragon
05-31-2010, 12:39 PM
Their suspension system on the A2's had to be upgraded to handle the extra weight of the new armor package. Can it handle a cage? Slat armor can get pretty heavy and cumbersome.

Nope, There is no way it can handle any more weight. Taking them out with the up armor package is already miserable because of how low it makes them ride. If you add a cage with he underbelly armor then the thing would practically be scraping against the ground and digging itself into the sand. I dont see a need for cage armor anyway.