Help with armor identification

[ida34]

One of my cohorts stopped the pictured vehicle. It is still owned by the USMC but is a test vehicle of sorts for a civvy contractor in Ann Arbor. There was an opening on top for a turret of some sort but it was removed and plywood put over to cover the whole. It is much smaller than a styker and is really cramped inside. Anyone know what vehicle this is?

 

[B3.3T]

Mowag 6x6 Coyote

 

[bigbee]

Same family as the original USMC LAV, built in Canada by license from the Swiss manufacturer. This is the 6 wheel, while the LAV is 8. The Canadians call theirs the Grizzly, IIRC.

 

[Elwenil]

I think it is a MOWAG Grizzly. I believe the Coyote was an 8x8 version. It's a part of the rather large family of vehicles based off the MOWAG Piranha of which General Dynamics of Canada produced the LAV-25 for the USMC as well as the Bison, and several other variants. General Dynamics now owns MOWAG as the General Dynamics European Division.

 

[bigbee]

According to Jane's Armour and Artillery, 94-95, The Swiss considered them all (4x4, 6x6, and 8x to be models of the Pirahna. Canada called their 6x6 models the Grizzly (mg turret) and Courgar (Scorpion Turret). /the Canadian Bison (8x and LAV-25 (USMC) are basically the same vehicle.

 

[ida34]

But anyone know if this thing has an M number with the USMC?

 

[Elwenil]

True, but MOWAG vehicles were built by a separate company originally and the one's built by General Dynamics had several unique variations. Also there are several generations of the Pirahna which have very different hull designs while the majority of the General Dynamics vehicles use the distinctive pointed nose of the earlier designs.

 

[LincolnWelland]

This definately an upgrade from the earlier AVGP Drizzly. The trim vane is off and propellers have been replaced with storage bins. Wheels and tires upgraded from Michelin 11.00 R16 XL to 325/85 R16 XML. It also has the crew commanders hatch behind the driver.( Open in picture) The couger (scorpian turret) didn't have this hatch. General Dynamics purchased General Motors London (Ont) where these were built. Cadillac Gage trurret held a 50 Cal MG and a secondary 7.62 C6 MG

 

[ONTOS66]

This vehicle appears to be the Canadian AVGP (armored vehicle general purpose). This link has photos which appear to be the same vehicle (with a turret instead of plywood cover).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVGP

The 3 versions of the AVGP are the:
Cougar - turret with 76mm gun
Grizzly - APC with turret and .50 cal mg
Husky - Recovery Vehicle

The USMC LAV, Army Stryker, etc. are based on the Swiss Mowag Piranah which has many variants ranging from 4x4 to 10x10 wheel

 

[Dafman314]

Grizzly ,without the turret !

 

[ida34]

I am concluding that it is a Canadian Grizzley but did the USMC ever use them? This one is owned by the USMC but may be a one of for testing purposes.

 

[Dafman314]

The marines bought a few to test before the lav which is a copy of the Canadian coyote

 

[Dafman314]

As you can see in Linc. & Welds pic of our grizzly that the cadilac gage turret is mounted on ! and it has a turbine diesal

 

[ida34]

This may be one of those test machines. The company is supposed to be testing a warning light system for the engine as I was told. They were testing sensors of some type so they are not testing the vehicle itself but using the vehicle to develop something else.

 

[bigbee]

Jane's listing does not show the LAV under USA armored personnel carriers, but as additional information under the GM of Canada AVGP. In passing, the note says US ARMY designation was "M1047". USMC doesn't always assign M numbers.