LAV-75; Stingray; M8 AGS

[Raellus]

I don't see too much of a problem wedding a 105mm gun to the LAV-75 (M113) chasis. Like I said, if they can put a turretless 105mm gun on a wheeled LAV-25/Stryker chasis, they can probably fit the same turret to the LAV-25 chasis.

I don't know about ammo commonality between the low and high pressure 105mm guns. I was assuming there was cross-commonality but I have no evidence for that. Anyone?

I like your new designator. LAV-75B has a nice ring to it. Or LAV-75A1, maybe?

[Webstral]

LAV-75A1 seems more consistent with Army nomenclature. I'll use your idea.

It seems that the M1128 Mobile Gun System uses the L7 105mm rifled cannon—the same as many other NATO AFV. This is a powerful argument in favor of retrofitting the LAV-75 fleet with a 105mm gun firing the same ammunition as the M60A4. I don’t know about the turret. Someone else is going to have to conjecture on that one. The added firepower and simplified logistical requirements (no further requirement for 75mm rounds that can only service one type of vehicle present in only one or two battalions per division) will be very attractive to the Army.

I suggest a brief revision of v1 history to justify the LAV-75A1.

Following the outbreak of the Sino-Soviet War, the US provides substantial numbers of the LAV-75 to the PRC. The PLA (People’s Liberation Army) is eager to accept the American AFV because it can arrive by air and thus be on the front lines earlier than platforms arriving by sea. The US is eager to provide LAV-75s because the system is new: too late for Operations Desert Storm and Provide Hope, the LAV-75 is an untried system. XVIII Airborne Corps in particular is eager to have the Sheridan replacement put through its paces against Soviet forces without exposing American troops to hazard.

By the end of 1995, reports from the battlefield paint a mixed picture. The automotive performance of the LAV is good—excellent where quality care can be provided. Fuel economy is good, and survivability against small arms and shell splinters is very good. Maneuverability is excellent. Kill power, on the other hand, is disappointing. In the assault gun role, the LAV is disappointing due to the mediocre power of its HE/HESH 75mm shell versus bunkers and fighting positions prepared inside concrete structures. As a light tank, the LAV is perfectly acceptable against all Soviet APC, IFV, and assault/mobile guns. However, the 75mm gun proves to have unreliable killing power against T-55s and T-62s. The front slope of the T-72 proves invulnerable to the LAV; only flank and rear shots with low deflection prove effective. The very good maneuverability of the LAV enables Chinese crews to obtain flanking shots heavier tanks might not achieve. However, this fact does little to make up for the lack of killing power of the 75mm gun.

US Army users of the LAV-75 bombard the Pentagon with requests for either a new mobile gun system/assault gun/light tank or an upgraded version of the LAV-75. Light divisions, such as 6th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, and 10th Infantry Division, will be seriously compromised if their primary tank cannot defeat the kinds of armor US forces are most likely to encounter. China also requests upgrades and refits for its fleet of LAV-75s. The Pentagon orders a prototype LAV-75 with a 90mm gun and a prototype LAV-75 with a 105mm gun to be constructed and tested with maximum priority. Very quickly, the 105mm-equipped version proves its superiority in virtually every category. Orders go out for all LAV-75s in the US Army park to be upgraded simultaneously with new production for China.

By the time war erupts in Europe, all Regular Army divisions equipped with the LAV-75 have received the LAV-75A1 version. Some have come from new production, with the previous variants being sent back for refit. Other vehicles are post-production refit. When the war in Europe starts, the US puts a hold on all shipment and refit for the PLA. New and refitted LAV-75A1s are diverted to Army National Guard units and a national stockpile. It is from this stockpile that LAV-75A1s are distributed to formations in CONUS from 8/97 onward.

Webstral

[Raellus]

Outstanding, Web. Outstanding.

[James1978]

There was a brief thread on the Ares 75mm recently on TankNet - http://208.84.116.223/forums/index.php?showtopic=28830. They seem to think that it could handle a baseline T-55 or T-62 well enough, but the gun became very inadequate against more modern tanks/armor or reactive armor. There are also some pictures of the rusting prototype of the HSTV-L.