Canada's new LUVW

sapper740 · #1 05-05-07, 21:51

Anyone seen the new LUVW (Luxurious Vehicle Wheeled....sorry, Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled) What a step up from the Iltis and LSVW! I guess I got out too soon! here's the blurb from the Canadian Forces Website:

Under Phase One of the Iltis replacement project, the Army has purchased 1,061 Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW) militarized commercial off-the-shelf (MilCOTS) trucks as a partial replacement for the Iltis fleet, which was brought into service in 1984-85. The Iltis has reached its end life and it is no longer economically viable to retain in service.
While most of the new MilCOTS vehicles are for the Reserve Force, some will also be issued to Regular Force units. As a commercially based vehicle, fleet supportability will be provided through a well-established local dealer network across the country, which will meet Reserve unit requirements regardless of unit location. The MilCOTS will be used primarily for domestic and/or North American operations, and are not intended for overseas deployment.
There are three versions of the MilCOTS: basic, military police and a cable layer variant for linemen with dual rear wheels. The contract was signed with General Motors in October 2002, and delivery is nearing completion with 1,039 vehicles having been issued to date across Canada.
Refresher Course
The two-day driver refresher course for the MilCOTS began July 12.
"I really enjoyed driving this vehicle," says Private Simon Lupien. "It has a Duramax 6.6-litre turbo Diesel engine and really moves!"
The new acquisition can be used in all kinds of weather and on every type of road.
Modified for Canadian Forces requirements
"This is the civilian model of the Silverado in every detail, but modified to meet military requirements," says Master-Corporal Martin Themens, the instructor for the first refresher course.
Among the additions are a 12/24-volt electrical system, blackout lights, front mounted brush guard, underbody skid plate, fuel fired coolant heater for cold weather starts, weapons brackets, map reading light, and communication wiring/fittings for the integration of the IRIS radios which will be transferred from the Iltis fleet.
"The advantage of this type of vehicle is that the Army can sign a guarantee contract that allows us to have the vehicle repaired at any General Motors dealer, whether in Rouyn or Trois-Rivières," says MCpl Themens.
Under Phase Two of the project, a contract was issued to Mercedes-Benz Canada, in October 2003, for 1,159 vehicles, universally known as the G-Wagon. This fleet of standard military pattern (SMP) vehicles, with integrated logistic support, will be used primarily in operationally tasked field force units and training establishments. The vehicle has the capability of having a proven mine and ballistic Armour Protection System (APS) installed as an add-on kit (170 APS kits will be procured as part of this contract).
This fleet will be fielded in three configurations: basic, command and reconnaissance and military police variants. A portion of the SMP fleet - 224 command and reconnaissance vehicles - will also be allocated to the Reserve Force armour units for training in the armoured reconnaissance roles. Fielding of the SMP fleet commenced in March 2004 with first deliveries to our troops in Kabul. Full delivery in Canada is scheduled for completion by September 2006.
The Directorate of Land Strategic Planning continues to review vehicle entitlements in order to address strategic force structure changes, under Army transformation, and changes to both the LUVW MilCOTS and SMP fleet distribution across the Army are likely to result.
For more information on the LUVW project (MilCOTS and SMP fleets), visit http://dglepm.ottawa-hull.mil.ca/dsv...dex_vulr_f.htm

mike mckinley · #2 06-05-07, 00:06

i have seen a few of these on the roads here in new brunswick..probably belonging to 33 service btn out of saint john. they are certainly an impressive looking rig for what they are, but i've got to be honest...they don't make me turn my head like smp's do. rumor has it that G.M. in the U.S.A. has prototyped and is currently testing a hydrogen cell version for possible future military use. can't wait to read the outcome of this..should be interesting!! cheers!! mike

Yeo.NT · #3 06-05-07, 18:58

LUVW's and MILCOTS are nice piece of kit.
The MILCOT is just a green pickup truck nothing speacial about it. It's mostly used by the Reserves. Seats 4 and same amount of cargo space as a iltis with a trailer, not much of a upgrade other then enclosed cab. The truck has a low ground clearance and the second battery is mounted behind the right front wheel on the frame exposed to the weather and to being hit while off roading.
The LUVW just a upgraded Iltis with enclosed cab, Turbo diesel, aluminum split rims, runs solid axles with better ground clearence. some down points is it's top heavy and as much cargo space as a Iltis.

Jon Skagfeld · #4 09-05-07, 03:45

Quote:

Originally posted by sapper740
Anyone seen the new LUVW (Luxurious Vehicle Wheeled....sorry, Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled) What a step up from the Iltis and LSVW! I guess I got out too soon! here's the blurb from the Canadian Forces Website:

Under Phase One of the Iltis replacement project, the Army has purchased 1,061 Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW) militarized commercial off-the-shelf (MilCOTS) trucks as a partial replacement for the Iltis fleet, which was brought into service in 1984-85. The Iltis has reached its end life and it is no longer economically viable to retain in service.
While most of the new MilCOTS vehicles are for the Reserve Force, some will also be issued to Regular Force units. As a commercially based vehicle, fleet supportability will be provided through a well-established local dealer network across the country, which will meet Reserve unit requirements regardless of unit location. The MilCOTS will be used primarily for domestic and/or North American operations, and are not intended for overseas deployment.
There are three versions of the MilCOTS: basic, military police and a cable layer variant for linemen with dual rear wheels. The contract was signed with General Motors in October 2002, and delivery is nearing completion with 1,039 vehicles having been issued to date across Canada.
Refresher Course
The two-day driver refresher course for the MilCOTS began July 12.
"I really enjoyed driving this vehicle," says Private Simon Lupien. "It has a Duramax 6.6-litre turbo Diesel engine and really moves!"
The new acquisition can be used in all kinds of weather and on every type of road.
Modified for Canadian Forces requirements
"This is the civilian model of the Silverado in every detail, but modified to meet military requirements," says Master-Corporal Martin Themens, the instructor for the first refresher course.
Among the additions are a 12/24-volt electrical system, blackout lights, front mounted brush guard, underbody skid plate, fuel fired coolant heater for cold weather starts, weapons brackets, map reading light, and communication wiring/fittings for the integration of the IRIS radios which will be transferred from the Iltis fleet.
"The advantage of this type of vehicle is that the Army can sign a guarantee contract that allows us to have the vehicle repaired at any General Motors dealer, whether in Rouyn or Trois-Rivières," says MCpl Themens.
Under Phase Two of the project, a contract was issued to Mercedes-Benz Canada, in October 2003, for 1,159 vehicles, universally known as the G-Wagon. This fleet of standard military pattern (SMP) vehicles, with integrated logistic support, will be used primarily in operationally tasked field force units and training establishments. The vehicle has the capability of having a proven mine and ballistic Armour Protection System (APS) installed as an add-on kit (170 APS kits will be procured as part of this contract).
This fleet will be fielded in three configurations: basic, command and reconnaissance and military police variants. A portion of the SMP fleet - 224 command and reconnaissance vehicles - will also be allocated to the Reserve Force armour units for training in the armoured reconnaissance roles. Fielding of the SMP fleet commenced in March 2004 with first deliveries to our troops in Kabul. Full delivery in Canada is scheduled for completion by September 2006.
The Directorate of Land Strategic Planning continues to review vehicle entitlements in order to address strategic force structure changes, under Army transformation, and changes to both the LUVW MilCOTS and SMP fleet distribution across the Army are likely to result.
For more information on the LUVW project (MilCOTS and SMP fleets), visit http://dglepm.ottawa-hull.mil.ca/dsv...dex_vulr_f.htm

Just today, I got my DND 404s endorsed with the MILCOTS qualification.

Boss piece of kit, with max torque.

Looking to the future, there may be seal problems what with the reduction of sulphur content from 500 ppm down to 50 ppm in diesel fuel.

alleramilitaria · #5 09-05-07, 07:42

looks great.
as long as they keep it for what it is intended for than you have a winner. but if its misused you may have another CUV / m-880 problem like the US army (issued to combat units).