War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Gepard 1A2

2023-12-17T23:23:37Z

U31738360: /* Pros and cons */ Stingers cannot be easly flared but can be easly outmanouvered

{{About
| about = German SPAA '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Gepard
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_flakpz_1a2_Gepard
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer (Flakpanzer) Gepard 1A2''' is an improved modification of the standard [[Gepard|Flakpanzer Gepard]]. It has a new fire control system that increases engagement range while decreasing reaction time. Four Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger missiles, two on each side of the turret, were also added.

Introduced in [[Update "Apex Predators"]], the Flakpanzer Gepard 1A2 is similar to the standard Flakpanzer Gepard in terms of gameplay. The addition of four Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger missiles extends its engagement range slightly but should not be relied on to hit aircraft as they are fairly easy to evade.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''

'''Armour type:'''

*Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 30 mm (57°) Front glacis 30 mm (50°) Lower glacis || 25 mm (40-41°) ''Upper hull'' 20 mm ''Lower hull'' || 20 mm (4-47°) || 30 mm ''Forward hull'' 15 mm ''Everywhere else''
|-
| Turret ||25 mm (1-21°) || 20 mm ''Turret sides'' 10 mm ''Cannon mounts'' || 20 mm (5-7°) || 15 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}

''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,179|rbMinHp=734}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)|35 mm Oerlikon KDA]] (x2) || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 680 (320) || rowspan="2" | 550 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 79.3 || 109.7 || 133.2 || 147.3 || 156.7 || rowspan="2" | 1.30 || rowspan="2" | 1.15 || rowspan="2" | 1.06 || rowspan="2" | 1.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 53.5 || 63.0 || 76.5 || 84.6 || 90.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T*|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
* '''DM11A1:''' {{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T*|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
* '''DM13:''' {{Annotation|API-T*|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T*|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T*|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI-T*|High-explosive incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
* '''DM23:''' {{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}

{{:Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)/Ammunition|HEI-T*, API-T*, APDS}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Gepard.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the Gepard (identical)]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! Ammo type
! 1st rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''4 680''' || ''Belts'' ''Rounds'' || 0 ''(+4)'' 0 ''(+680)'' || Yes
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* The rack empties when all rounds are spent.
* The visual discrepancy concerns the number of belts: 4 belts can be fired but only 2 are modeled.

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger}}

''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger]] missile
|-
! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
|-
| 4 (4) || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger/Ammunition|FIM-92E, FIM-92K}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''1''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The Gepard performs best when stalking enemy aircraft, scanning the sky for a target and waiting until it gets in range of the radar, and only attacking when the radar can provide a lead estimation, thus preserving ammunition which is critical since the cannons will expend it quickly in combat situations. Helicopters will more than often chose to keep a reasonable distance, usually outside your radar's range but this can be countered by using the API-T rounds in short burst until the range of the enemy has been correctly guesssed, it only takes a few rounds to destroy an enemy aircraft.

Engaging ground vehicles comes with the risk of being destroyed without doing any significant damage so weigh this option carefully, unsuspecting light tanks are fair game but most tanks will pose a threat even when attacking their side without the appropriate ammunition belts. The Gepard 1A2 shouldn't get into any firefight with vehicles that aren't lightly-armoured since the MBT's protection is increased at this BR compared to the Gepard's BR.

Capturing points is also an option thanks to the good mobility of the vehicle, although you will have to make sure the capture point is clear and there is no risk of being attacked by an enemy tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has 4 IR-guided anti-air missiles mounted on the sides of the turret
* Missiles can be fired on the move
* Guns are effective agaisnt light tanks

'''Cons:'''

* Missiles can be easily countered by defensive manouvers
* No thermal imager at a BR where it is commonly found
* The lack of passive locking method alerts the enemy of your presence
* The ammo count is scarce when taking into account the high rate of fire
* A box blocks the guns' line of sight at the rear of the tank (engine deck)

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_flakpz_1a2_Gepard Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[LAV-AD]]
* [[2S6]]
* [[PGZ04A]]
* [[SIDAM 25 (Mistral)]]
* [[Machbet]]

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany anti-aircraft vehicles}}

FIM-92 Stinger

2023-12-10T15:34:25Z

U31738360: /* General info */ fixed lock range all aspect and rear aspect being flipped

[[File:Weapon FIM-92 Stinger.png|thumb|right|x250px|The FIM-92K missile after being launched from a Ozelot.]]

== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American infrared homing surface-to-air missile. It exists in two variants: FIM-92E and FIM-92K, and was introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]]. It is also known as the "'''Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger'''" in German service.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|germ_flakpz_1a2_Gepard}}
* {{Specs-Link|us_lav_ad}}
* {{Specs-Link|il_machbet}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_wiesel_2_adwc}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | FIM-92E characteristics
|-
| '''Calibre''' || 70 mm
|-
| '''Mass''' || 10.1 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''ECCM''' || Yes
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' ||12 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspects''' ||6 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 5 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' ||670 m/s
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' ||13 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 15 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 540 g TNTe
|-
| '''Fuze delay''' || 1 m
|-
| '''Fuze Sensitivity''' || 0.1 mm
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | FIM-92K characteristics
|-
| '''Calibre''' || 70 mm
|-
| '''Mass''' || 10.1 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''ECCM''' || Yes
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' ||12 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspects''' ||6 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 5 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' ||670 m/s
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' ||13 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 15 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 540 g TNTe
|-
| '''Fuze delay''' || 1 m
|-
| '''Fuze Sensitivity''' || 0.1 mm
|-
| '''Trigger Radius''' || 1 m
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc.)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''

'''Pros:'''

* Fire-and-forget
* IRCCM makes it highly resistant to flares once launched
* K variant has a proximity fuse

'''Cons:'''

* Low overload of only 13 G sees that the missile is defeated by most defensive manoeuvres
* 6 km all aspect range is outranged by some AGMs

== History ==


===Stinger Development===
In the 1960s, the US military's standard man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) was the FIM-43 Redeye, a missile launcher developed by Convair/Ponoma. However, the Redeye missiles were deemed to be too slow, unmanoeuverable, and could not distinguish its target source well enough to be an effective anti-aircraft weapon.<ref name="FAS_Stinger">Pike and Sherman 2000</ref> A program for an improved missile was launched in 1967, titled Redeye II. This new missile program was part of the Advanced Sensor Development Program, which sought to give the man-portable missile an all-aspect seeking capability. By 1971, Redeye II was chosen as the next standard MANPADS missile, and was given the designation FIM-92. The name of the program was eventually changed in March 1972 into the '''Stinger'''.<ref name="DS_Stinger">Parsch 2005</ref>
[[File:Sergeant shoulders the first Stinger to come off the production line.jpg|x250px|thumb|left|none|A US Army Sergeant shoulders a FIM-92 Stinger.]]

The contract to develop the missiles went to General Dynamics in June 1972.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" /> The first tests with the missiles began in November 1973, though technical problems caused delays that the first missile was only fired shoulder-launched in 1975.<ref name="DS_Stinger" /> The Stinger Production Qualification Test-Government (PQT-G) began in April 1976.<ref name="AT_Stinger">Army Technology "Stinger Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS)"</ref> The PQT-G concluded in 1977, and resulted in a mass production contract in April 1978 for General Dynamics to produce the FIM-92A Stinger missiles. The missiles reached the US military, where the Stinger missiles reached IOC (Initial Operational Capability) status in February 1981, resulting in the Stinger's steady replacement of all other MANPADS in service. The basic model, the FIM-92A, featured a cooled conical-scan IR seeker that allowed all-aspect acquisition and homing abilities as well as a AN/PPX-1 Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) system.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" />

Improvements into the FIM-92 stingers led to succeeding variants. The FIM-92B started development in 1977. It is also known as Stinger-POST (Passive Optical Seeker Technique) and featured an improved IR/UV seeker to better distinguish countermeasures. The next version, the FIM-92C began development in 1984 and was named as Stinger-RMP (Reprogrammable MicroProcessor). Introducing a new microprocessor that was reprogrammable, the Stinger-RMP allowed the Stinger platform to adapt to new threats and countermeasures without requiring a new missile design. The Stinger-RMP became the basis of the succeeding FIM-92D to G variants, which featured various improvements on the Stinger-RMP capabilities.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" />

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[ATAS (AIM-92)]] - Helicopter-borne variant of the Stinger

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Army Technology. "Stinger Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS)." ''Army Technology'', Verdict Media Limited, [https://www.army-technology.com/projects/stinger-man-portable-air-defence-system-manpads/ Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407164547/https://www.army-technology.com/projects/stinger-man-portable-air-defence-system-manpads/ Web Archive]).
* Parsch, Andreas. "FIM-92" ''Designation Systems'', 14 Feb. 2005, [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407163825/http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html Web Archive]).
* Pike, John; Sherman, Robert. "FIM-92A Stinger Weapons System: RMP & Basic." ''Federation of American Scientists - Military Analysis Network'', 09 Aug. 2000, [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407163553/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm Web Archive]).

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

FIM-92 Stinger

2023-12-10T15:33:19Z

U31738360: /* General info */ Changed stats to match the current ones

[[File:Weapon FIM-92 Stinger.png|thumb|right|x250px|The FIM-92K missile after being launched from a Ozelot.]]

== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American infrared homing surface-to-air missile. It exists in two variants: FIM-92E and FIM-92K, and was introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]]. It is also known as the "'''Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger'''" in German service.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|germ_flakpz_1a2_Gepard}}
* {{Specs-Link|us_lav_ad}}
* {{Specs-Link|il_machbet}}
* {{Specs-Link|germ_wiesel_2_adwc}}

== General info ==


{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | FIM-92E characteristics
|-
| '''Calibre''' || 70 mm
|-
| '''Mass''' || 10.1 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''ECCM''' || Yes
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspects''' ||12 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 5 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' ||670 m/s
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' ||13 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 15 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 540 g TNTe
|-
| '''Fuze delay''' || 1 m
|-
| '''Fuze Sensitivity''' || 0.1 mm
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | FIM-92K characteristics
|-
| '''Calibre''' || 70 mm
|-
| '''Mass''' || 10.1 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''ECCM''' || Yes
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspects''' ||12 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 5 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' ||670 m/s
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' ||13 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 15 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 540 g TNTe
|-
| '''Fuze delay''' || 1 m
|-
| '''Fuze Sensitivity''' || 0.1 mm
|-
| '''Trigger Radius''' || 1 m
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc.)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''

=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''

'''Pros:'''

* Fire-and-forget
* IRCCM makes it highly resistant to flares once launched
* K variant has a proximity fuse

'''Cons:'''

* Low overload of only 13 G sees that the missile is defeated by most defensive manoeuvres
* 6 km all aspect range is outranged by some AGMs

== History ==


===Stinger Development===
In the 1960s, the US military's standard man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) was the FIM-43 Redeye, a missile launcher developed by Convair/Ponoma. However, the Redeye missiles were deemed to be too slow, unmanoeuverable, and could not distinguish its target source well enough to be an effective anti-aircraft weapon.<ref name="FAS_Stinger">Pike and Sherman 2000</ref> A program for an improved missile was launched in 1967, titled Redeye II. This new missile program was part of the Advanced Sensor Development Program, which sought to give the man-portable missile an all-aspect seeking capability. By 1971, Redeye II was chosen as the next standard MANPADS missile, and was given the designation FIM-92. The name of the program was eventually changed in March 1972 into the '''Stinger'''.<ref name="DS_Stinger">Parsch 2005</ref>
[[File:Sergeant shoulders the first Stinger to come off the production line.jpg|x250px|thumb|left|none|A US Army Sergeant shoulders a FIM-92 Stinger.]]

The contract to develop the missiles went to General Dynamics in June 1972.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" /> The first tests with the missiles began in November 1973, though technical problems caused delays that the first missile was only fired shoulder-launched in 1975.<ref name="DS_Stinger" /> The Stinger Production Qualification Test-Government (PQT-G) began in April 1976.<ref name="AT_Stinger">Army Technology "Stinger Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS)"</ref> The PQT-G concluded in 1977, and resulted in a mass production contract in April 1978 for General Dynamics to produce the FIM-92A Stinger missiles. The missiles reached the US military, where the Stinger missiles reached IOC (Initial Operational Capability) status in February 1981, resulting in the Stinger's steady replacement of all other MANPADS in service. The basic model, the FIM-92A, featured a cooled conical-scan IR seeker that allowed all-aspect acquisition and homing abilities as well as a AN/PPX-1 Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) system.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" />

Improvements into the FIM-92 stingers led to succeeding variants. The FIM-92B started development in 1977. It is also known as Stinger-POST (Passive Optical Seeker Technique) and featured an improved IR/UV seeker to better distinguish countermeasures. The next version, the FIM-92C began development in 1984 and was named as Stinger-RMP (Reprogrammable MicroProcessor). Introducing a new microprocessor that was reprogrammable, the Stinger-RMP allowed the Stinger platform to adapt to new threats and countermeasures without requiring a new missile design. The Stinger-RMP became the basis of the succeeding FIM-92D to G variants, which featured various improvements on the Stinger-RMP capabilities.<ref name="FAS_Stinger" />

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[ATAS (AIM-92)]] - Helicopter-borne variant of the Stinger

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Army Technology. "Stinger Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS)." ''Army Technology'', Verdict Media Limited, [https://www.army-technology.com/projects/stinger-man-portable-air-defence-system-manpads/ Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407164547/https://www.army-technology.com/projects/stinger-man-portable-air-defence-system-manpads/ Web Archive]).
* Parsch, Andreas. "FIM-92" ''Designation Systems'', 14 Feb. 2005, [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407163825/http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html Web Archive]).
* Pike, John; Sherman, Robert. "FIM-92A Stinger Weapons System: RMP & Basic." ''Federation of American Scientists - Military Analysis Network'', 09 Aug. 2000, [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm Website]. Accessed 07 Apr. 2021 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210407163553/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm Web Archive]).

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

LAV-AD

2023-12-09T13:03:01Z

U31738360: Stingers have been changed to 13G thats why i edited the cons list a bit

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_lav_ad
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}_Hydra-70.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

In September 1982, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) adopted the General Motors' submission in the LAV (Light Armoured Vehicle) program as the LAV-25 in order to improve the strategic mobility of the USMC divisions. With enhanced mobility, there was a concern of these units out-speeding the anti-aircraft defense units, especially against short-range, low-altitude aircraft. As such in 1991, the USMC sought for a low-altitude air defence system capable of supporting a rapidly moving LAV (also known as Light Armoured Infantry (LAI)) battalion. The LAV-25 was chosen as the basis to keep pace with the unit, and configuration tests began in 1992 with a rapid-firing rotary cannon and Stinger missiles. By 1996, the Light Armoured Vehicle - Air Defence (LAV-AD) was put into production and the USMC received 17 units by 1997.

The LAV-AD introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]] meets the expectation set in its name. It is a lightly armoured vehicle intended for air defence. As such, the armour is basically non-existent, with even heavy machine guns having the capability of penetrating through the side armour. However, the LAV-AD has the provisions to provide close air defence with its Stinger missiles and rotary cannon. The Stinger missile helps reach out to far away enemy targets, ideally under 3 km away for the best effect of either hitting the target or tracking it enough that the enemy is forced to perform evasive manoeuvres that may break off their attack run. If the enemy closes within the Stinger's minimal arming distance, the rotary cannon could help provide the final-ditch effort to knock down the enemy aircraft before it can destroy the LAV-AD or its teammates. For a more ground-attack based role, the LAV-AD can also be equipped with M247 rocket pods in place of its Stinger missiles to complement its HVAP ammo belt that could help take care of lightly armoured targets.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''

'''Armour type:'''

* High hardness rolled armour (hull, turret)
* Aluminium alloy 7039 (front lower glacis)
* Bulletproof glass (windows)
* Wheel (tires)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 15 mm (45°) ''Lower glacis'' 7.31 mm (66°) ''Upper glacis'' || 7.31 mm (35°) ''Top'' 7.31 mm (0-20°) ''Bottom'' || 7.31 mm (15°) || 7.31 mm 5 mm ''Engine vents''
|-
| Turret || 12.7 mm (49°) ''Turret front'' 60 mm (49°) ''Windows'' || 7.31 mm (9-10°) 60 mm (9°) ''Windows'' || 7.31 mm (0-31°) || 7.31 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Belly armour is 7.31 mm thick.
* Wheels and torsion bars are 10 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}

The LAV-AD's mobility is rather superb. As a wheeled vehicle, it has good speed on roads. Despite being similar in appearance and having a weaker engine than the [[M1128]], the LAV-AD accelerates much faster due to its lighter weight, resulting in a higher power-to-weight ratio, and it also has a slightly faster reverse speed. The engine is also relatively quiet, allowing for stealthy movements and ambushes.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=391|rbMinHp=243}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}

{{main|GAU-12U (25 mm)}}

The main armament of the LAV-AD is the 25 mm GAU-12U rotary autocannon. It functions similarly to the 20 mm [[M168 (20 mm)|M168]] Vulcan found on the [[M163]] earlier on in the tech tree, but with a reduced ammo capacity of only 1,000 rounds total (500 ready, 500 reserve instead of 1,100 ready, 1,100 reserve) and fire rate (1,800 rpm instead of 3,000 rpm) due to the limited room in the vehicle and larger calibre ammunition. The gun is also fully stabilized, with handling akin to that of the [[HSTV-L]]; slower than the [[M163]] and [[M247]] Sergeant York but still fast enough to react to most aerial targets at close range, particularly helicopters and slow, low-flying jets. Like most other AAs, it comes with a Default, AP, and HE belt. The Default belt has a 1:1 AP to HE ratio and is the only belt the vehicle has access to when stock. The HE belt has a 3:1 HE to AP ratio while the AP belt has a 3:1 AP to HE ratio. The former is more effective against aircraft while the latter is more effective against armoured vehicles. The AP round is the same across all belts, and can penetrate 66 mm of flat armour at point blank range. Combined with the relatively high fire rate, it can easily destroy barrels, tracks, and machine guns with ease as well as being able to shred light vehicles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[GAU-12U (25 mm)|25 mm GAU-12U]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 1,155 (385) || rowspan="2" | 1,800 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+60° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 50.2 || 69.5 || 84.4 || 93.3 || 99.2 || rowspan="2" | 26.00 || rowspan="2" | 23.00 || rowspan="2" | 21.20 || rowspan="2" | 20.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 33.9 || 39.9 || 48.5 || 53.6 || 57.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI*|High-explosive incendiary (self-destroying)}}
* '''PGU-25/U:''' {{Annotation|HEI*|High-explosive incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI*|High-explosive incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI*|High-explosive incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}
* '''PGU-20/U:''' {{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI*|High-explosive incendiary (self-destroying)}}

{{:GAU-12U (25 mm)/Ammunition|HEI*, HVAP}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''3''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|Hydra 70}}

The LAV-AD also has access to Hydra 70 M247 rockets with a researchable modification. This modification gives the vehicle an additional weapon set-up, replacing the Stinger pod above the main gun with a Hydra 70 rocket pod with 19 rockets, similar to those found on [[AH-1 (Family)|AH-1 Cobras]] and [[AH-64 (Family)|AH-64 Apaches]]. The Hydras are fired as a secondary weapon.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Hydra 70]] rocket
|-
! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
|-
| 19 (19) || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Hydra 70/Ammunition|M247}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''1''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|FIM-92 Stinger}}

The LAV-AD also comes with [[FIM-92 Stinger]] missiles. The missiles are IR guided, meaning they require a lock-on before firing. The vehicle has FIM-92Es by default and can unlock FIM-92Ks as a later modification. These are the same Stinger missiles used by the [[Ozelot]] in the German tech tree and function the same way. The missiles are launched as special weapons.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[FIM-92 Stinger]] missile || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 16 (4) (12 with Hydra 70s) || rowspan="2" | -8°/+65° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
|-
! ''Realistic''
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:FIM-92 Stinger/Ammunition|FIM-92E, FIM-92K}}

The FIM-92E detonates on impact while the FIM-92K has a proximity fuse.

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''16''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

In battles, the player can either use the LAV-AD as an AA or in a limited anti-tank role. By using the LAV's fast speed, the player can easily reach deep into enemy territory where enemies are less vigilant compared to when they're near the frontline. The player can use this advantage by either hiding and waiting for planes to be distracted on friendly tanks and shooting them down or used to attack unsuspecting SPAAs and IFVs/light tanks from mid range and then closing up close to killing MBTs. The rocket pod makes quick work of enemy armour if you can get on their flanks. Additionally, the LAV's fast speed makes for a decent distraction against enemies while your teammates destroy them.

'''Against Aircraft'''

The LAV's Stinger SAMs are a mixed bag. The Stingers have a decent maximum range of around 6 km, and once launched, powerful IRCCM (InfraRed counter-counter measures) makes it difficult for flares or IRCM to distract the missile. However, it has a mere 10G overload, meaning even basic defensive manoeuvres may defeat the missile. Upon launching, a conspicuous smoke trail makes the missile as well as your own position easy to notice. In addition, a small warhead makes for unreliable damage; more survivable aircraft may need two or more hits to bring down.

The Stinger's maximum range of around 6 km is usually sufficient to lock onto the hot engines of jet aircraft. It is useful against aircraft at 2-4 km altitude, where their manoeuvrability will be reduced, making it easier for the Stinger to hit. The Stinger is particularly useful against helicopters near the battlefield (1-3 km). Helicopters are slow and have a difficult time kinetically evading even the 10G Stinger, and the Stinger's IRCCM sees that IRCM and flares are useless against it. In an uptier, however, helicopters are actually the Stinger's worst nightmare. Helicopters do not have particularly hot engines, and with long-range air-to-ground missiles, the Stinger cannot even get a lock on helicopters at long ranges. In these cases, the LAV simply cannot do anything but hide from the helicopter.

The LAV's 25 mm cannon is sufficient against close aircraft and helicopters. However, it has poor long range accuracy, and thus should only be used within a absolute maximum of 3 km.

'''Against Tanks'''

The LAV is mobile, outpacing most light tanks at its BR, and can use this to its advantage by reaching the enemy territory and flanking SPAAs and light tanks. Against MBTs, the LAV's 25 mm cannon is insufficient to reliably penetrate any MBTs frontally. In addition, the 25 mm cannon has poor post-penetration damage against MBTs. Therefore, side shots are highly recommended to reliably penetrate them.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of facing an MBT head-on, aim for the gun mantlet. This will potentially damage their gun breech and/or cannon barrel and blind their gun sights with explosions. If you are lucky, these factors will have damaged their breech enough before they have a chance to fire, allowing you to then destroy the tracks and manoeuvre for a shot at the less protected side armour. However, considering the low post-penetration damage of the 25 mm gun, there is a very high chance you will simply be one-shot before you can do enough damage to the cannon, and therefore it is highly ill-advised to intentionally face an MBT head-on unless absolutely necessary.

Though side shots are recommended against MBTs, depending on the angle, the 25 mm gun may not be enough to penetrate and/or deal sufficient damage. This is especially true against commonly-faced Soviet MBTs, which often have more armoured sides that the 25 mm gun struggles to penetrate. In such cases, bringing the 70 mm Hydra rocket pod is a good choice. With 290 mm of HEAT penetration, the LAV-AD can knock out many MBTs from the side with a few rockets. However, the rockets have low velocity and do not work with the laser rangefinder, making precise shots difficult, especially at range. And, despite the increased penetration over the 25 mm gun, is still insufficient to frontally penetrate MBTs. Therefore, the rockets should be fired at the sides of MBTs and at close ranges. Make sure to make your rocket shots count, as the pod only holds 19 rockets.

'''Threats'''

In the LAV-AD, anything above a 12.7 mm calibre poses a big threat to the player. Therefore, the LAV's best defense is offense. You should aim to destroy enemy vehicles before they even have a chance to train any of their weapons (including heavy machine guns) on you. If taking hits cannot be avoided, your best bet is to first destroy autocannon-equipped vehicles that can shred the lightly armoured LAV (luckily, most autocannon-equipped vehicles are lightly armoured themselves and can be shredded by the LAV's 25 mm cannon or 70 mm Hydra 70 rockets). As for the main cannon of a MBT, it's all down to luck; hope that the MBT either misses or the armour-piercing shell overpenetrates and deals no damage.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has access to Hydra 70 rockets for additional anti-tank firepower
* The 25 mm GAU-12U cannon shreds air vehicles
* The 25 mm GAU-12U has no tracers making it harder for enemies to notice your location when firing
* Highly mobile thanks to its light weight and is also amphibious
* Can carry up to 16 Stinger SAMs if you choose to not have Hydras
* Stinger SAMs have IRCCM that make them practically immune to flares once launched
* Has access to 2nd generation thermal sights for the gunner
* Has optical tracking which does not trigger RWR
* Comes with smoke grenades stock
* Access to laser rangefinder for the 25 mm gun
* Not equipping Hydras enables the Stingers to be fired in relatively quick succession with no reload

'''Cons:'''

* Stinger SAMs only have a maximum overload of 13G and have difficulty overcoming most defensive manoeuvres
* Long reload for the 25 mm gun
* Bringing the Hydra rocket pod reduces the number of available Stingers and gives them a lengthy reload time after 4 have been launched
* Penetrable by heavy machine gun fire and prone to overpressure damage
* Shorter missile range and lacks a search radar when compared to its contemporaries like the [[Roland 1]], [[FlaRakPz 1]], and [[XM975]] at the same BR
* No proximity-fused ammunition
* Hydra rockets are hard to aim due to their low velocity and do not work properly with the laser rangefinder
* Low sight FOV and relatively high zoom levels makes it hard to use against multiple targets up close
* 25 mm gun is inaccurate at longer ranges

== History ==

=== [[wt:en/news/7598-development-lav-ad-revolving-firepower-en|Devblog]] ===

Development of the LAV-AD began in 1987 after a contract was signed with both the FMC Corporation and General Electric to design a SPAA variant for the LAV-25 for the USMC. Both companies began developing a system based on the USMC requirements that it had to be armed with a 25 mm cannon and possess provisions for mounting Stinger missiles and Hydra-70 rockets. While the FMC company opted to outfit their design with the same M242 cannon used on the base model of the LAV-25, General Electric decided to go for the GAU-12 'Equalizer' Gatling style rotary cannon.

Having reviewed both prototypes, the USMC decided to procure General Electric's design, placing an initial order for 125 vehicles to be produced. By 1996, the LAV-AD had formally been adopted into service. Despite the initial plans to produce over 100 vehicles, only 17 were actually manufactured due to funding issues. In 1998, the final unit was delivered to the USMC and further development of the vehicle was discontinued due to high maintenance costs. Among other operations, the LAV-AD was used in combat action in Iraq.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_lav_ad Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|QvGHPYrGrXU|'''The Shooting Range #301''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:27 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7598-development-lav-ad-revolving-firepower-en|[Devblog] LAV-AD: Revolving Firepower]]

{{USA anti-aircraft vehicles}}
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]