Chenowth Advanced Light Strike Vehicle
Encyclopedia
The Chenowth Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) is an all-terrain light military vehicle developed by the United States
. It is the successor to the Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle, and features improved performance and armament. The vehicle is relatively small, and can be carried in a transport aircraft. Although it is mainly used by the US Navy SEALs and Marine Corps, several other countries have procured it.
, and is equipped with four-wheel drive
functionality as well as power steering
. A version powered by a petrol engine has also been produced.
An ALSV can be transported in a CH-47 Chinook
or CH-53 Sea Stallion
transport helicopter. Three can be carried in a C-130 Hercules
transport, while two can be carried for para-dropping. The crew are covered only by an upper frame of tubular bars, although light armor can be added. The ALSV weighs 3500 pounds (1,587.6 kg), and has a length of 161 inches (4.1 m) and a width of 83 inches (2.1 m). It is 79 inches (2 m) in height, and has a ride height
of 16 inch (0.4064 m). The ALSV can accelerate from 0 to 30 miles per hour (13.4 m/s) in 4 seconds, and is capable of negotiating up to 75% gradients and 50% side slopes.
. Light machine guns and portable anti-tank weapons may be carried as secondary armament. The weapons platforms can be remote controlled and feature gun stabilizing, allowing accurate fire while on the move.
in Iraq and Afghanistan
. Prior to this, both the SEALs and the United States Marine Corps
had used the vehicle during Operation Desert Storm. ALSVs have also been procured by Jordan
and the United Arab Emirates
. According to Chenowth, they are also used by several Central American and Middle Eastern countries, as well as some member countries of NATO.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the successor to the Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle, and features improved performance and armament. The vehicle is relatively small, and can be carried in a transport aircraft. Although it is mainly used by the US Navy SEALs and Marine Corps, several other countries have procured it.
Features
Chenowth Racing Products revealed in October 1996 that they had developed a "third-generation high-performance surveillance, light strike and reconnaissance vehicle", which they named the Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV). Based on its predecessor, the Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), the ALSV could carry two, three or four personnel. An all-terrain vehicle, the ALSV is powered by a 160 horsepower diesel engine produced by PorschePorsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
, and is equipped with four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
functionality as well as power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
. A version powered by a petrol engine has also been produced.
An ALSV can be transported in a CH-47 Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
or CH-53 Sea Stallion
CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
transport helicopter. Three can be carried in a C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
transport, while two can be carried for para-dropping. The crew are covered only by an upper frame of tubular bars, although light armor can be added. The ALSV weighs 3500 pounds (1,587.6 kg), and has a length of 161 inches (4.1 m) and a width of 83 inches (2.1 m). It is 79 inches (2 m) in height, and has a ride height
Ride height
Ride height is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tire and the underside of the chassis; or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and any part of a vehicle other than those parts designed to contact the ground...
of 16 inch (0.4064 m). The ALSV can accelerate from 0 to 30 miles per hour (13.4 m/s) in 4 seconds, and is capable of negotiating up to 75% gradients and 50% side slopes.
Armament
The main weapons station, which is positioned to the rear of the vehicle, is capable of traversing 360 degrees and can accommodate either a M2 Browning machine gun or a Mk 19 grenade launcherMk 19 grenade launcher
The Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a 40 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.-Overview:...
. Light machine guns and portable anti-tank weapons may be carried as secondary armament. The weapons platforms can be remote controlled and feature gun stabilizing, allowing accurate fire while on the move.
Users
The ALSV has been used by the United States Navy SEALsUnited States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
in Iraq and Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. Prior to this, both the SEALs and the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
had used the vehicle during Operation Desert Storm. ALSVs have also been procured by Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. According to Chenowth, they are also used by several Central American and Middle Eastern countries, as well as some member countries of NATO.