LAV-RECCE: "Coyote"

The Canadian Army used the Lynx reconnaissance vehicle beginning in the mid-1960's, and as such, the tracked vehicle was nearing the end of its useful life as the 1990's approached. The LAV-25, having proved itself successfully in service with the U.S. Marine Corps, was the logical choice for the Canadian military and an order for was placed with General Motors Diesel Division for 152 reconnaissance enhanced LAVs. Procurement may total 229 in all. Deliveries began in 1996.

Known in Canadian service as the Coyote, it is equipped with an extensive array of state of the art surveillance systems. It has a ten metre telescoping mast that can retract completely within the hull of the vehicle. The mast mounts a sensor array combining a ground surveillance radar, thermal imager, visible spectrum camera and a laser rangefinder. The sensor array can also be deployed on a tripod mount up to 200 metres from the vehicle. It is linked to the mother vehicle by tactical fibre-optic cable. A moving man can be detected at 3,100 metres (3.1 km).

The ground surveillance radar can detect moving armoured targets at distances out to 12,000 metres (12 km), and can recognize a target at night at 3,100 metres (3.1 km). The visible spectrum camera can detect armoured targets out to a distance of 12,000 metres (12 km) and the laser rangefinder to 9,995 metres (9.9 km).

The Coyote is armed with a 25mm chaingun mounted together with a coaxial C6 7.62mm MG in a two man electric-drive turret. The turret is also equipped with a laser warning receiver. The Coyote has advanced fire control and stabilization systems that allow for firing while on the move. It has armour protection proof against small arms fire, mines and airbursts as close as ten metres away. There is add-on armour now available that protects all around against 14.5mm rounds and 30mm fire in the frontal arc. The Coyote has an independent 8 x 8 suspension and the tires include run-flat inserts. Powered by a Detroit Diesel engine, it's capable of 100 km/h. The crew consists of the commander, driver, gunner and surveillance operator. While it is based on the LAV-25, it is not amphibious.

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LAV-Recce "Coyote"

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LAV-Recce "Coyote" with sensor array
deployed on tripod mounts.

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LAV-RECCE "Coyote" interior.

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LAV-Recce "Coyote" with 10 metre telescoping
sensor array mast extended.

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© Chris Johnson, 1997