LAV-300 Commando Description

     This can be easily changed to reflect any one of the versions
that are available.

     The hull of the LAV-300 Commando is of all-welded unitised
construction of special high hardness steel ballistic plate that
protects from small arms and shell splinters.
     The driver sits at the front of the hull on the left side
and has a single-piece square hatch cover that opens to the rear. 
To his front are three periscopes for forward observation and one
of these can be replaced by a passive periscope for driving at
night.  In the side of the hull to the left of the driver is
bullet-proof vision block with a firing port underneath.  To the
rear of this is a small half-door that opens to the rear, this
has a bullet-proof vision block underneath which is a firing
port.
     The engine compartment is to the right of the driver with
the air inlet and air outlet in the roof.  Power from the engine
is transmitted to the finial drives via an Allison MT-643 four-
speed automatic gearbox.  The transfer box contains a two-speed
system with a spline engagement clutch for the axle drive.
     On the glacis plate is a receptacle for a shovel and pick
axe and under the nose is an internally-mounted hydraulic winch
which has a maximum capacity of 9072 kg.  This is provided with
45 meters of 12.7 mm diameter steel core cable.
     The LAV-300 can be fitted with a number of armament
installations, these are mounted in the center of the hull over
the second axle.
     The troop compartment is at the rear of the LAV-300 and in
each side of the hull are three bullet-proof vision blocks each
with a firing port underneath.  Over the top of the troop
compartment are two rectangular roof hatches hinged on the
outside.  The infantry enter and leave the vehicle through two
doors in the rear of the hull, each of these has a bullet-proof
vision block underneath which is a firing port.
     The front suspension is a swing-mounted solid axle with rear
suspension being independent with coil springs at each wheel
station.  The front solid axle is restrained longitudinally by
trailing arms and literally by stabilizing rods attached rods
attached to the axle and hull.  The two rear axles consist of
short drive shafts extending from the hull-mounted differentials
to the independently-sprung trailing arms-mounted wheel stations. 
The road wheels have a combined wheel travel of 30 cm, a jounce
of 17.5 cm and a rebound of 12.5 cm.  All the swing-mounted axles
are of the double-reduction top-mounted type.  The front and rear
axles have a positive no-spin differentials to maintain traction
in off road operations.  The central axles contain the inter-axle
differential.  All wheels have hydraulic brakes and steering is
power assisted on the front wheels.  All wheels have a run-flat
tubeless tires.
     The LAV-300 is fully amphibious without preparation being
propelled in the water by its wheels at a speed of 4.8 km/h.