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New Vanguard 185 In response to rising Middle East tensions, a Rapid Deployment Force was developed that required a new Light Armored Vehicle. Rather than request a completely new design, the decision was made to find an off-the-shelf design. After examining several prototypes, the Marine Corps chose the General Motors Canada 8x8 design that was based off the Swiss MOWAG Piranha vehicle. Designated the LAV-25, there were ultimately eight variants produced: the standard LAV-25 with the 25mm Bushmaster gun, the LAV-AT anti-tank variant, the LAV-L logistics variant, the LAV-R recovery vehicle, the LAV-M mortar variant, the LAV-C2 command and control vehicle, the LAV-AD air defense variant, and the LAV-MEWSS mobile electronic warfare system vehicle. Nearly 900 vehicles were produced from the early 1980s to 2003. This newest book in the New Vanguard series documents the history of the LAV-25 and its variants. In addition to the US variants, the book also covers the Australian, Canadian, and Saudi Arabian derivatives, and also includes the various upgrade programs of the USMC variants. The operational history is also covered, from the first combat in Panama through to current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The book covers both vehicle details and operational details quite well in the text, and supplements it with quite a few excellent photos. There are also several color illustrations highlighting some of the many color schemes worn by the LAV-25. This is a great little reference on the highly successful LAV-25, and one which should be a great book for those wanting to build a model or two of the vehicle. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy. |
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