LAV-300

The first country to buy it was Panama, which purchased 12 to 13 LAV-300s[4] in APC, Fire Support Vehicle and Armored Recovery variants.[5][2] Most of them were captured by American forces during Operation Just Cause.[2] In Panama Defense Forces services, they were used by the 5th Infantry Company, the 6th Infantry Company (Mechanized) and Battalion 2000 (Mechanized).[5] 4 LAV-300s were used by the 6th Infantry Company while 9 were used by Battalion 2000.[5] They were deployed during the Battle of Paitilla Airport to block the path of the SEALS deployed to destroy Noriega's private aircraft.[6]

Kuwait placed an order in 1984 for 62 vehicles, some of them in FSV configuration.[1] Most of Kuwait's LAV-300s were destroyed by Iraqi troops during the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait.[7]

When production of the vehicle was reorganized and placed at New Orleans, its name changed from the V-300 to the LAV-300 in 1994.[1]

The Philippines placed an order in 1993 for 24 LAV-300 MK IIs, 12 in APC configuration and 12 in FSV configuration, which were delivered by 1995.[2] The contract was worth $USD18.243 million.[1] LAV-300s used by the Philippine Marine Corps were designed to be equipped with the .50 BMG/7.62mm NATO turret for the APC and the 90mm Cockerill 90mm gun for the FSV.[8]

In a 1994 report by Natick from January to September 1993, the LAV-300 was once considered to be a suitable candidate for the US Army Military Police Armored Security Vehicle program.[9] In 1999, the LAV-300 was considered alongside the LAV-600 to be selected for the US Army's Brigade Combat Team.[2] In the same year, an infantry fighting vehicle version of the LAV-300 MK II was tested at Fort Knox for potential deployment with rapid reaction forces before the Stryker was chosen instead.[1] This proposal was even backed by Captain David L. Nobles in his proposal due to low economical expenses needed to maintain the LAV-300.[10]

Production of the LAV-300 ended in 1994 with marketing discontinued by 2000.[11]

In 2008, Cobb County Police Department has reported the purchase of a LAV-300 for $500,000 with $45,000 to $51,000 paid to refurbish the vehicle for police use.[12][13] The vehicle was acquired by the CCPD through the 1033 program from Fort Polk, Louisiana.[13]

In 2010, Federal Defense Industries announced that they entered into an agreement with Textron Marine & Land Systems in order to provide authorized aftermarket parts, support and other types of assistance for the LAV-300 since FDI maintains a technical library for spare parts.[14]

In 2011, Napco entered into an agreement with Textron to provide authorized aftermarket parts, support and other types of assistance for the LAV-300.[15]

On 5 October 2018, the Philippine Department of National Defense launched a bid to upgrade armored vehicles of the Philippine Navy and Air Force under the Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Acquisition Project with a budget of PHP711,938,000.00.[16] On 28 November 2018, the DND released a bid requirement for a company to modernize the LAV-300s still in working condition with the PMC.[17]

On 10 January 2019, Larsen & Toubro was awarded a contract for $US 14 million for the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Light Armor System Upgrade in replacing worn out engines and other parts.[18]

A Marine with the 1st Marine Division works with Filipino marines to examine the LAV-300's interior.

The LAV-300 has a seating capacity for three crewmembers, consisting of a driver, commander and gunner,[19] and nine passengers.[20] Its weight is at 14,696 kg. with a length of 6.40 m and width of 2.54 m.[21] The height is at 2.7 m with a turret and at 1.98 m to the hull.[3] It can go up to 105 km/hr under a range of 925 km.[21]

It offers high mobility, speeds of up to 65 mph (105 km/h), and can be air-transported by a C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter, C-17 Globemaster III and a C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.[20] Some versions can be air-transported by CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.[20]

The LAV-300 has fifteen different configurations—the most common being: command post, armored personnel carrier, anti-tank, military logistics, ambulance and armored recovery vehicle.[2][3]

The following turrets are available for the LAV-300:[2][8][1]

• 7.62 mm machine gun combined with 12.7 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm or 40 mm guns
• 20 mm anti-aircraft gun
• Missile-based anti-aircraft system
• BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile
• 90 mm gun
• 81 mm and 120 mm mortars.

• Archived Textron brochure