Designation: | LAV-150 Commando |
![]() |
---|---|---|
Manufacturer: | Textron Marine & Land Systems | |
Product type: | Armoured Vehicles | |
Name: | Reconnaissance Vehicle |
The Cadillac Gage Commando is an amphibious APC built by Cadillac Gage. The 4x4 version is no longer produced, although Cadillac Gage states that production may resume if needed. The vehicle could be outfitted for many roles, including armored personnel carrier, ambulance, firefighter, anti-tank vehicle, mortar carrier, etc.
The V-100 series of vehicles was developed in the early 1960s. The first prototype emerged in 1963, and the production variants entered service in 1964. The Commando was used in Vietnam by the US Army, US Air Force and US-allied forces including the ARVN. It was introduced in Vietnam as the XM706 Commando first to the ARVN who loaned the first examples to the US Army in 1967. By the end of 1968, the US Army had purchased its own version of the armored car, the XM706E1, later standardized as the M706. Within the US Army it was affectionately known as the Duck, or the V. The main differences between the XM706 and XM706E1/M706 were in the design of the gas tank fill port covers, side windows, front vision blocks, and most importantly in the weaponry. The XM706 featured two .30-06 Springfield M37 machine guns, while the XM706E1/M706 for the US Army featured two 7.62 mm NATO M73 machine guns for better ammunition commonality with existing weapons. The ARVN, on the other hand, were still using a variety of weapons in the .30-06 caliber, and had relevant ammunition in their supply train.
Another model, the XM706E2, was supplied to the US Air Force for base protection purposes, post-attack reconnaissance against munitions and EOD use. The XM706E2 featured no turret and an open topped center parapet. In practice a variety of weapons were mounted on USAF XM706E2s, but the most common configuration was one .50 caliber M2 machine gun and one 7.62 mm M60 machine gun. Other equipment included the XM174 40 mm grenade launcher and searchlights.
The vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and uses axles similar to the ones used in the M34 series of trucks. The engine is a gasoline-powered 360 cubic inch Chrysler V8, same as in the early gas models of the M113 armored personnel carriers. Its 5-speed manual transmission allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain. The M706 has a road speed of 62 mph, and can travel across water at 3 mph. The armor consists of high hardness alloy steel called Cadaloy, which protects against projectiles up to 7.62 x 51 mm. Partly because of its armor, the M706 has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons. As a result, a common problem with the vehicle is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight. The V-100 was available in turret and open-top models.
The V-100 carries a maximum crew of 12. In road patrol, convoy duty and base defense use by the US Army's Military Police Corps, it usually had a crew of two: driver and gunner. ARVN V-100 units had larger crews, including a commander riding shotgun, and a radio operator outside the rear hatch, often equipped with an M1919 type machine gun. Additional armament often included two or three top-mounted M2 machine gun or M60 machine guns. Other weapons such as M134 Miniguns were also sometimes used. Passengers could also use their personal weapons to fire through the vehicle's various gun ports.
On the modern battlefield, the V-100 is now largely obsolete. However, it remains in service with various smaller forces, such as Vietnam People's Army, Royal Thai Army, Republic of China Military Police, the Philippine Army, the Army of Venezuela and the Jamaican Defence Force. It was used by Malaysian Army in Second Malayan Emergency (now retired) and Royal Malaysian Police (Para-Military- Pasukan Gerakan Am) until now.The vehicle is also used by many SWAT units in the US and gendarmerie forces overseas.
The V-150 was a hybrid variant which actually came after the V-200 and was based on the V-200 but had some V-100 features. It could be equipped with diesel or gasoline engines and most were produced for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Their version was called the V-150S.
In the 1980s Portugal developed a Chaimite version with a 90mm turret (BRAVIA V-400 Chaimite), but the Portuguese Army chose to buy 15 examples of the US-made V-150 Commando.
The V-100 carries a maximum crew of 12. In road patrol, convoy duty and base defense use by the US Army's Military Police Corps, it usually had a crew of two: driver and gunner. ARVN V-100 units had larger crews, including a commander riding shotgun, and a radio operator outside the rear hatch, often equipped with an M1919 type machine gun. Additional armament often included two or three top-mounted M2 machine gun or M60 machine guns. Other weapons such as M134 Miniguns were also sometimes used. Passengers could also use their personal weapons to fire through the vehicle's various gun ports.
On the modern battlefield, the V-100 is now largely obsolete. However, it remains in service with various smaller forces, such as Vietnam People's Army, Royal Thai Army, Republic of China Military Police, the Philippine Army, the Army of Venezuela and the Jamaican Defence Force. It was used by Malaysian Army in Second Malayan Emergency (now retired) and Royal Malaysian Police (Para-Military- Pasukan Gerakan Am) until now.The vehicle is also used by many SWAT units in the US and gendarmerie forces overseas.
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |