At the entrance to the veterans' section of the cemetery is a memorial to the soldiers who fought in, and died in, the war in Afghanistan. Part of that memorial is this LAV III Kodiak, an armored personnel carrier (APC). The Kodiak is a version of the Swiss
MOWAG Piranha IIIH, produced under license. The Kodiak entered the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999, replacing the
M113 and other vehicles. Upgraded versions remain in active service today. Powered by a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, developing 350 horsepower, the Kodiak is manned by a crew of three and can carry an additional 6 to 7 troops. With a maximum speed of 100 km/h, the Kodiak has a range of 450 km. Its main gun is a 25 mm chain gun for which the 16.95 tonne APC carries 500 rounds. Below are further details on the Kodiak.
LAV III Kodiak
The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is a license produced version of Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH. Vehicle is produced by General Motors Land Systems. It entered service with the Canadian Army in 1999. At some point Canadian Army operated 651 of these armored vehicles in various versions. The LAV III was the primary Canadian mechanized infantry vehicle, which replaced the M113 and other vehicles. It formed the backbone of the Canadian armored vehicle fleet. Since 2011 Canadian Army signed contracts to upgrade 616 of its LAV III vehicles to a LAV 6.0 standard. Deliveries reportedly commenced in 2015 and are planned to be completed in 2017. Export operators of the LAV III are USA and New Zealand. The US Army uses a modified variant, called Stryker, which is fitted with remote weapon station in place of the turret.
The Kodiak has improved armor protection, comparing with previous Swiss MOWAG Piranhas. Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm rounds. A ceramic add-on armor can be installed for a higher level of protection. It protects against 14.5 mm machine guns fire. Some sources claim, that front armor of the Kodiak with add-on armor plates can withstand hits from 30 mm cannons. It makes the LAV III one of the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world. This armored vehicle can be also fitted with a cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank rockets. Undercarriage was strengthened for improved mine-blast survivability. Vehicle is fitted with an automatic fire suppression system and NBC protection system.
In 2009 to address the threat of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan the Canadian LAV IIIs were fitted with new belly and side armor, as well as energy absorbing seats. Though this increased the weight to 23.6 t.
The LAV III Kodiak is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. One more 5.56 mm machine gun is positioned on top of the roof. The 25 mm chain gun fire standard NATO 25 mm ammunition. It has a 2 400 m range of effective fire. Both gunner and commander can fire the gun.
The Kodiak has a crew of three, and can carry 6-7 troops. Soldiers enter and leave the vehicle through the rear ramp or roof hatches.
Vehicle is powered by a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, developing 350 horsepower. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which allows to adjust to different terrain, thus extending cross-country mobility. The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is not amphibious.
From Military Today