New in 2018: Replacing Light Armored Vehicles’ obsolete anti-tank turrets

Dozens of aging Light ­Armored Vehicles will get new turrets in 2018.

The LAV’s anti-tank variants will replace the obsolete Emerson 901, which is based on technology from the 1960s.

The new turrets can fire radio ­frequency-guided TOW anti-tank missiles and the gunner’s seat will remain stationary as the turret traverses, officials said. With the current anti-tank LAVs, the gunner’s seat moves with the turret.

The Marine Corps has more than 700 LAVs, including 100 anti-tank variants.

The upgrades started in late 2017. The first four anti-tank LAVs were upgraded with the new turret in ­September and that will continue until the end of 2019.

RELATED

17 things Marines need to know for 2018

Here’s a preview of what’s in store for the Marines in 2018.

By Marine Corps Times staff

Meanwhile, the Marines are working toward designing a new, next ­generation LAV. Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh said in ­September that the new LAVs should have advanced technologies, such as Active Protective Systems, which can confuse or destroy incoming anti-tank missiles.

Walsh, deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, likened the leap in technologies ­needed for future vehicles to the difference between U.S. aircraft that fought in the Gulf War and the F-35.

“We need to look at something like the F-35,” he said. “You can clearly see a generational change when you go from AV-8 Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets to the F-35.”

More In Your Military

‘It’s scary as hell’ — PFAS exposure a ‘widespread’ problem for troops, families nationwide

Some of the highest concentrations of PFAS chemicals in the country have been found at and around military bases.

Navy-Marine war game puts their climate action strategy to the test

The scenario involved a Navy amphibious ready group and an embarked Marine expeditionary group poised to conduct an exercise with a partner nation amid storms and a typhoon.

New rules make it easier to kick out airmen, guardians guilty of sexual assault

“The prohibition of consideration of the members’ good military character or service record moves the ‘zero-tolerance’ culture forward, omitting opportunities for the ‘good dude’ defense,” said military personnel expert Kate Kuzminski.

Ohio Guard soldier charged with terroristic threats, making and selling ‘ghost guns’

One of two Ohio National Guardsmen arrested this spring for making terroristic threats has now been charged with illegally making and selling 3D-printed guns.

Oops! Navy helo ‘rigging failure’ sends five missiles into the Pacific

Efforts to recover the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles have begun.

In Other News

Army veteran held in Ukraine speaks to mom by phone

Relatives say Lois “Bunny” Drueke spoke to her son Alexander Drueke, one of two Alabama veterans captured earlier this month in Ukraine, via telephone.

Wives of fighter pilots on what ‘Top Gun’ gets right — and wrong

Four wives of fighter pilots dish the details you don’t see in the Hollywood films on this episode of The Spouse Angle.

Are commissaries providing the savings they promised to troops?

Providing savings to service members is of particular concern right now due to the inflation in food prices.

Supreme Court upholds state government work protections for reservists

The Supreme Court allowed a former state trooper to sue Texas over his claim that he was forced out of his job when he returned from Army service in Iraq.

Turkey lifting objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Sweden and Finland to abandon their long-held nonaligned status and apply to join NATO. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had blocked the move, insisting the Nordic pair change their stance on Kurdish rebel groups that Turkey considers terrorists.

Load More