Medium Assault Vehicle – Light (MAV-L)

The MAV-L was unveiled at the AUSA conference in October 2012. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The MAV-L features a lightweight, tubular space steel frame. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The vehicle was developed to meet the requirements of the US Special Forces Command Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) 1.1 competition. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The MAV-L runs at a maximum speed of 80mph on paved roads. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The vehicle can accommodate equipment, weapons and body armour of the special troops. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The Medium Assault Vehicle-Light (MAV-L) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation and Pratt & Miller Engineering was unveiled at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) conference held in Washington DC, US, in October 2012.

The MAV-L was specially developed to meet the requirements of the US Special Forces Command ground mobility vehicle (GMV) 1.1 competition. It was designed specifically to be used by the special operations forces worldwide in any battlefield. It is air-transportable by C-130 and MH/CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Design of the MAV-L

The MAV-L features a lightweight, tubular space steel frame and structural runnel with full roll cage for protecting its occupants. The body of the vehicle is of carbon fibre construction, while the doors, roof and body armour are optional.

The vehicle can accommodate up to seven troops, including six seated plus one gunner. It can also carry equipment, weapons and body armour of the special troops. It features a quick-change track system, and quick change front and rear accessory kits. It also includes rear cargo shelves, as well as interchangeable front and rear bumper and racks.

The vehicle can be modified according to the customer’s requirements for a range of light tactical vehicle applications. Its modular design allows for the integration of communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment.

The vehicle has a length of 209.5in (5.32m), width of 79.5in (2.01m), and a height of 72.6in (1.84m) when kneeling and 82in (2.08m) when travelling. The gross weight of the vehicle is 13,000lb (5,896.7kg) and the curb weight is 7,400lb (3,356kg). The maximum payload carrying capacity is 4,500lb (2,041kg).

Armament

The MAV-L is equipped with a bare-bones circular gun turret. It can also accommodate personal weapons for Special Forces troops aboard.

The MAV-L is currently being designed to house a remote weapons station.

Mobility

The MAV-L 4×4 modular vehicle runs at a maximum speed of 80mph on paved roads and more than 60mph on muddy, rocky, sandy and uneven country trails. It features short-long arm front suspension for 18in of wheel travel, while the rear utilises a trailing arm design that allows for 20in of travel. It includes 335/80R20 size tires with field-proven wheel ends and driveline hardware.

Contractors involved

In December 2011, Pratt & Miller Engineering was awarded a contract to provide high-performance engineering and manufacturing solutions for designing, building and testing of the MAV-L vehicle.

The Global Armoured Vehicles and Counter-IED Vehicles Market 2011-2021

This project forms part of our recent analysis and forecasts of the global armoured vehicles and counter-IED vehicles market available from our business information platform Strategic Defence Intelligence. For more information click here or contact us: EMEA: +44 20 7936 6783; Americas: +1 415 439 4914; Asia Pacific: +61 2 9947 9709 or via email.