Quote:
Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull
Yeah, but there is some more back story. The US Military had kept an eye on the LAV/Piranha line since the early 1980s. When it was tested for both US Army and Marine Corps use as the LAV-25. The only reason the Army didn't buy it then was because the M2/M3s were in their final phase of development and about to deploy. The LAV-25 was adopted by the Marine Corps though.
It was more of logistical decision that the Army didn't want to focus on two vehicle that in many minds did the same thing as they replaced the M113 and that line of variants. Yes, granted the LAV-25 was suppose to go to help create Medium Force that could move quickly while the M2/M3s were going to Heavy Force units.
The Medium Force was put on hold for another decade or so...
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The US Army has however trialled the LAV25 in the field, a number were loaned from the USMC and used alongside the M551 Sheridan in the First Gulf War by 3/73 Armor. After the war they were returned. Source Osprey M551 Sherridan