Logistics Vehicle System
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The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS), nicknamed by U.S. Marines as "Dragon Wagon" which is a reference to the famous M25 tank transporter which had the nickname of the Dragon wagon. The LVS is a modular assortment of eight-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle unit combinations used by the United States Marine Corps.
The LVS was fielded in 1985 as the Marine Corps heavy tactical vehicle system.[1] It was designed and manufactured by the Oshkosh Corporation. The United States Army does not use the LVS, it uses the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT). The key differences between the two is the LVS's ability to interchange Front Power Units with Rear Body Units. The LVS also steers through both standard wheel pivoting (as on a typical automobile) and hydraulic yaw steering (by articulating the Front Power Unit against the Rear Body Unit). This enabled the LVS to meet the turning radius requirements of the U.S. Marines. LVS is rated to haul up to Script error: No such module "convert". on highways.[1]
The Oshkosh Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) is the replacement for the LVS and was first fielded in 2009.[1]
Description
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The LVS is composed of a Front Power Unit (FPU) coupled to a Rear Body Unit (RBU). The FPU can be driven on its own. When describing a truck it is remarked by the combination of both units, for example, an MK48 FPU attached to an MK18 RBU is called a "48/18". For MK16's, which tow M870 semi-trailers, the type of trailer is added as well, i.e. "48/16/870A2".
- Front Power Units
- MK48: houses a turbocharged 729 cubic inch, 450 hp Detroit Diesel V8, mated to a four-speed Allison transmission. The MK48 also houses the cab, for a crew of two.
- MK48A1: offers slight improvements to the original MK48. Those improvements include a revised battery box and cover, an extra cab entry step for both sides, modified air intake cover, and added handles and steps to ease climbing on top of the power unit.[2]
- Rear Body Units
- MK14: A flatbed which is Script error: No such module "convert". long and features locks for ISO containers. The MK14 can hold a single twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) sized container, or three SIXCON units (pump or tank modules). There are also accommodations for tie-down hooks and ratchet straps for securing cargo. When equipped with a tow bar, two MK14s can be joined and towed by a single MK48 power unit. This is referred to as a "Tandem Tow" or "TT".
- MK15: Recovery vehicle capable of recovering LVSs, MTVRs and Humvees.
- MK16: Fifth-wheel is designed to tow the M870 family of semi-trailers. It is the shortest of the FPU/RBU combinations, creating a smaller turning radius. This is useful, as when towing an M870 trailer, it becomes the Marine Corps' longest tactical vehicle.
- MK17: Material Handling Crane (MHC), which features a slightly shorter flatbed (Script error: No such module "convert".) than the MK14. This is to accommodate the MHC at the rear of the unit. The boom is rated at a maximum lifting capacity of Script error: No such module "convert".. The MK17 can also be fitted with benches to carry 20 combat-loaded Marines. This is rare however, as personnel transport is now mainly handled by MTVRs and HMMWVs.
- MK18/18A1: Self-loader capable of loading ribbon bridges, small boats, containers, and SIXCON modules with no external heavy-equipment support. The 18A1 features improvements to the loading and offloading process. The 18A1 features a prominent "stick-figure"–shaped Front Lift Adapter (FLA) rising from the middle of the vehicle.[2]
Specifications
| Vehicle nomenclature | Length | Curb weight | Payload capacity onroad [offroad] |
Turning radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK48/A1 | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | N/A | N/A |
| MK48/14 | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". [Script error: No such module "convert".] |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
| MK48/15 | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
| MK48/16 | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". |
| MK48/17 | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". | Script error: No such module "convert". [Script error: No such module "convert".] |
38.5 ft |
| MK48/18 | Script error: No such module "convert". | ? | Script error: No such module "convert". [Script error: No such module "convert".] |
Script error: No such module "convert". |
| LVSR | Script error: No such module "convert". | ? | Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert". towed GCWR |
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- System-Wide Specifications[2]
| Crew: | 2 |
| Width: | Script error: No such module "convert". |
| Height: | Script error: No such module "convert". |
| Maximum speed: | Script error: No such module "convert". on roads (Script error: No such module "convert". for LVSR[3] |
| Maximum range: | Script error: No such module "convert". |
| Highest climbable grade: | 60% |
| Steepest approach angle: | 45° |
| Steepest departure angle: | 45° (48° for MK48/16, 40° for MK48/17) |
| Maximum side slope: | 30% |
| Maximum fording depth: | Script error: No such module "convert". |
Operators
- Script error: No such module "flag".[2]
See also
- Heavy Equipment Transport System
- Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck
- List of vehicles of the United States Marine Corps
- Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement
- Oshkosh Corporation
- Oshkosh L-ATV
- Oshkosh Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR)
- Oshkosh M-ATV
- TerraMax (vehicle)
- United States Marine Corps
References
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- Headquarters Marine Corps Factfile
- Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) by Federation of American Scientists
- Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) by Federation of American Scientists
- Additional information for the LVS at GlobalSecurity.org
- Additional information for the LVSR at GlobalSecurity.org
- Additional Maintenance Information
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M25_tank_transporter
External links
Template:Sister project Template:Sister project
- Manufacturer's Website
- LVS Logistic Vehicle System Maintenance Manuals
- LVS and MILITARY VEHICLE INFORMATION FORUM
Template:Oshkosh Corporation Template:Post-WWII US Soft Vehicles