The LAV Family of Vehicles
The LAV family of vehicles is the North American version of Mowag's Pirahna family of vehicles. While both fleets of vehicles look nearly identical & share many performance characteristics, the vehicles are designed differently in order to incorporate component parts that are available on the different continents.
One significant difference, is that the Piranha family has always been available with different wheel configurations (the first two generations could built in 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8, while the later generations have been 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10). The LAV is only produced in 8x8 configuration (the AVGP was a 6x6, but this vehicle is not longer in production).
Across the Generations
First Generation
Second Generation
Third Generation
GM Defense to GDLS
The first two generations of LAV were produced under an agreement with MOWAG by GM Diesel Division in London ON. In the late 1990s, GM bought MOWAG and with it the rights to the family of vehicles.
More recenltly, the GM Defence plant was bought by General Dynamix Land Systems. The plant continues to produce second and third generation LAVs along with a number of other armoured vehicles (including the Nyala).
