In the 1980s the US Marine Corps began looking for a light armored vehicle to give their divisions additional mobility. They selected a design, that had its origins in Switzerland. The Light Armored Vehicle, or LAV, is an 8x8 variant of the MOWAG Piranha I, license produced by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the US Marine Corps. On 27 September 1982, a production contract was awarded for six LAV configurations: LAV-25, LAV-R, LAV-LOG, LAV-M, LAV-AT, and LAV-C2. It entered service with the USMC in 1983. A total of 758 8x8 LAVs of all variants were ordered. It replaced the slower M113 armored personnel carriers and other armored vehicles. At the time of its introduction the US Army was also interested in these vehicles, however no orders were placed.

Powered by a 6V53T Detroit Diesel turbo-charged engine, they are 4-wheel drive (rear wheels) transferable to 8-wheel drive. It is air transportable via C-130, C-141, C-5 and CH-53 E. Typical land speeds are approximately 62.5 mph in either 4 or 8-wheel drive, however fuel economy decreases in 8-wheel drive. The vehicles operate on diesel fuel, and require 3 weights of lubricants to remain in running condition. They are equipped with a M242 Bushmaster 25 mm cannon, two M240 7.62 mm machine guns , and two 4-barrel grenade launchers usually loaded with smoke canisters and located on the forward left and right sides of the turret. The crew is three: vehicle commander, gunner and driver, and six passengers (scouts) with complete combat equipment. The driver is seated at the front left with the engine mounted to the right, the other two crew members operate inside the turret, which has one of the machine-guns co-axially mounted with the gun. A supplementary M240 machine-gun can be pintle-mounted at the commander's station in the turret. When combat loaded there are 210 ready rounds and 420 stowed rounds of 25 mm ammunition as well as 400 ready rounds and 1,200 stowed rounds of 7.62 mm. There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of smoke grenades. The six infantrymen are seated in the rear compartment which is provided with firing ports for each of these seating positions as well. The three crew members are also provided with night vision equipment. These vehicles are also amphibious, meaning they have the ability to “swim”, but are limited to non-surf bodies of water (no oceans). The current SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) modifications have hindered or eliminated amphibious operations.

By 2007 marines fielded more than 700 LAVs of all variants. This armored vehicle was exported to Australia (ASLAV) and Saudi Arabia.The LAVs first saw combat during operations in Panama in 1989. Many are currently seeing active service with US and Australian forces in the Middle East.

The LAV-25 has also been produced in a number of variants. The LAV-AD is a modified Type I Chassis mated with Blazer Air Defense Turret developed by General Dynamics Ordinance Systems for the USMC. The two man turret is equipped with two Stinger RMP Launchers and a 25mm, GAU-12 Gatling Gun. The crew consists of the vehicle commander, driver, and gunner. Its primary mission is to provide low altitude air defense against forces from airborne threats by fixed and rotary winged aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of speeds of zero to 500 NMPH. A secondary mission is to provide ground defense against light armored mechanized forces.

The LAV-AT provides accurate fire against armored targets and fixed fortifications. With its mobility, it can keep pace with its applicable assigned military unit. The vehicle can be used in both the defensive and offensive roles. This vehicle has an Emerson 901A1 twin TOW launcher mounted on top of the hull above the third wheel. The launcher carries two ready-to-launch missiles, and there are 14 more missiles in the hull. Secondary armament consists of a M240E 7.62 mm or a M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun on a pintle and two four-barrelled M257 smoke dischargers. The vehicle also carries a ground mount for the TOW and a hand-held laser rangefinder. The vehicle has a crew of four consisting of the driver, commander, gunner, and loader. The LAV-ATA1 is a similar vehicle but equipped with the TOW 2 anti-tank missile system.

The LAV-M (Mortar Carrier) provides indirect fire support to light infantry and reconnaissance forces; providing high explosive area fire, covering smoke and illumination for foward units. This version has a crew of five consisting of the commander, driver, and three mortar men. The vehicle carries an M252 81mm mortar and 94 rounds of ammunition. The mortar is mounted in the center of the vehicle, and fires through the three-part roof hatch. There is also a pintle-mounted M240E 7.62 mm machine gun and two four-barrelled M257 smoke grenade launchers.

The LAV-R (Recovery Vehicle) is capable of safely uprighting overturned LAVs while minimizing additional damage. The vehicle is also capable of towing a disabled LAV with suspension damage. This vehicle has a crew of four: commander, driver, and two mechanics. There is a M240E 7.62mm pintle-mounted machine gun and two four-barrelled M257 smoke grenade launchers. The vehicle is equipped with a portable auxiliary power unit, a crane with a 9,000 pound (4,082 kg) capacity, a rear-mounted winch with a capacity of 30,000 pounds (13,608 kg), and two MS-51320 flood lights (4,400 candle power). There are four stabilizers to provide a more stable platform when the crane is in use.

The LAV-CC or LAV-C2 (Command and Control Vehicle) is a Type I raised roof chassis outfitted with communication stations that allows the unit commander the capability to command, control, and communicate the activities of his forces under full armored protection. This version has a similar hull to the logistics vehicle, and has extensive communications equipment installed. The crew consists of the vehicle commander and driver. There is space for a unit commander and four staff members or radio operators. Armament is similar to the LAV-R.

The LAV-L (Logistics Vehicle) transports ammunition, rations, petroleum, oils, and lubricants supplies required to sustain operations of foward LAV units. This vehicle has a higher roof with twin hatches for the rapid loading and unloading of cargo. The crew of three consists of the commander, driver, and loadmaster. There is a crane for loading and unloading cargo at the left rear of the hull. Armament is also similar to the LAV-R.

The last variant is the LAV-MEWSS (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System) which provides two-way communications, data collection, locating and positioning of enemy forces, and jamming and intercepting of enemy communications. The crew consists of the vehicle commander, driver, electronic support measure operator, and electronic countermeasure operator. Equipment includes the AN/ULQ19 electronic jamming system, AN/PRD-10 direction finder system, two WJ-8618B acquisition receivers, and a radio system. The basic defensive armament is the same as the other specialised vehicles in the series.

The LAV has been through many changes through the late 1990s. The new modification or SLEP changed the LAV-25 to the LAV-25A1 standard that was completely fielded. A second upgrade in recent years has improved survivability and capability enhancements occurring today, so the LAV is being renamed as the LAV-A2. The LAV-A2 project involved developing and installing an internal and external ballistic protection upgrade package for the Light Armored Vehicles, an automatic fire suppression system for the interior of the vehicle and a Generation II suspension upgrade to support the added weight of the new armor. The three-kit armor system provides the LAV with additional survivability against improvised explosive devices (IED) and direct-fire kinetic energy weapons. These armored vehicles and the new models LAV-II and LAV-III are expected to remain in service with the USMC until at least 2024.