The LAMV (Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle) is a new 4×4 light patrol vehicle developed by India-based TATA Motors Defence Solutions in collaboration with Supacat of the UK. The vehicle was unveiled for the first time at the DEFEXPO 2014.
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The vehicle can be deployed in troop transportation, reconnaissance, border patrol, convoy protection, light strike and urban warfare missions.
Design and features of the TATA LAMV
The all-composite detachable crew pod and V-shaped hull is based on 4×4 chassis. The forward crew cab houses two while the troop section offers seating for four soldiers. The rear compartment provides space for carriage of equipment and cargo. The vehicle also contains a single roof hatch. The doors on either sides of the vehicle and a rear door allow the quick ingress and egress of crew.
The modular design of the LAMV allows for future upgrades while maintaining operational superiority during its service life. The vehicle also offers low life cycle cost as it uses indigenous equipment and systems. The major subsystems share commonality with the other fleet of vehicles in service.
The Super Stallion 8×8 is a logistics vehicle developed and produced by Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of Hinduja Group.
The 4×4 LAMV has a length of 5.5m, width of 2.5m and a height of 2.3m. The gross vehicle weight is 8,000kg and the payload carrying capacity is 1,500kg.
Observation systems
The driver and commander display systems enable observation for the crew. The crew pod can be installed with an electro-optic (EO) system, radio, global positioning system (GPS) and driver assistance camera.
The vehicle also integrates a navigation unit including a GPS and an inertial positioning system in the absence of GPS signals. The LAMV can be equipped with charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, thermal imaging systems and laser range finder (LRF).
The LAMV exhibited at the DEFEXPO 2014 was installed with telescopic mast on the rear of its hull. The mast is equipped with surveillance systems. The advanced observation and surveillance systems fitted aboard the vehicle ensure the detection of various threats on all terrains and allow missions in urban warfare scenarios.
LAMV armament
The open-top turret above the crew compartment of the LAMV is mounted with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. The vehicle can also be optionally armed with a range of weapon stations and smoke grenade launchers.
The turret is manually rotated through 360° in azimuth. The sides and forward parts of the turret offer NIJ level III ballistic protection for the gunner.
Protection features of the LAMV
The LAMV incorporates crew protection technologies derived from the Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 (SPV400). The crew is protected against small arms fire, shell splinters and explosives. The monocoque composite material pod mounted on high hardness steel bottom V hull provides a high degree of blast protection. The crew capsule is built using composite and ceramic armour systems to offer all-around protection in high threat environments.
The vehicle is provided with Stanag level II (a) and (b) blast protection and Stanag level II ballistic protection. The crew survivability is further enhanced with the inclusion of mine-blast protected seats. The vehicle can also be fitted with AFDSS (Automatic Fire Detection and Suppression System) as required by the customers.
Engine and mobility of the light armoured multipurpose vehicle
The LAMV is fitted with a 210hp water cooled turbocharged diesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission (five forward and one reverse). The engine provides the vehicle a high power to weight ratio of 25hp/t.
The vehicle features all wheel independent double wish bone type suspension. The self-levelling suspension with anti-roll bars provides comfort for the crew irrespective of the vehicle’s load. The rubber-tired road wheels fitted with run flats and central tire inflation system (CTIS) enhance the mobility. The LAMV can achieve a maximum road speed of 105km/h.
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