LAV-25 as a transport (Authenticity perspective)

[trotskygrad]

First things first: I'm aware this thread is on very unstable ground, given that this has been said:

LAV-25 are not troop transport. Period.

I'm here to post the reasons why this should be reconsidered, from an Authenticity perspective

US Marine Deck needs some love, as stated in the other thread

Apart from the Phrog, as stated in the other thread, the LAV-25 is the most pressing issue.

Many posters, who have posted against it in the past given it's modern use solely as a scout vehicle, forgot to look back and take a look at the cold war deployment of the LAV-25, in which it served a transport role.

Given that we can cram 15 morskaya pekhotas in a BTR-70 with a 7 person capacity, cramming US Marines into a LAV-25 isn't so far fetched either.

Let's look at MadMat's previous posts on the topic.

Marine infantry shouldn't ride in LAV-25s in the first place. IRL they carry scout teams, but they're not used as APCs (as that's what the AAV-7 was for).

True. That is fixed in Red Dragon.

The second statement isn't exactly true. Even the original poster MadMat replied to has gone back on it.

panzersaurkrautwefer: kinda changed my mind though. It's 100% only used for recon NOW but in the 1980's it looks like it had a light mechanized infantry role
panzersaurkrautwefer: it's one of the pitfalls of trusting my opinion. I'm a very post 2000 veteran who thinks cold war stuff is neat vs someone who knows that stuff front to back

Not sure why the change, as it was correct in ALB. The US Marines felt that the Soviet Mechanized Infantry would overwhelm them without a fast armored transport. Thus, the LAV-25 was developed as the solution. It wasn't until 1994, until they were structured into Light Armored Recon, and even starting carrying less Marines per LAV-25.

"The Battalions primary functions are to provide fire support and ground mobility, as well as conduct reconnaissance and security missions."
FMFM 6-30 Light Armored Infantry Operations 16 October 1990

therefore, I think the LAV-25 should return as a transport, in order to be authentic and to give marine decks a viable fast transport that they thought they needed in time frame to counter the BTRs that are present in game.

If we want to get really crazy, it should also be available in Motorized, as it was trialed in it as well.

panzersaurkrautwefer: it started off as a "recon/light transport" for the Marines, AND a light transport for the motorized 9th ID testbed

What we want:

1-2 Cards of LAV-25s, available for most major infantry types for the marines (marines, stinger, smaw, assault engies)

[NATO Potato]

If it did go back to carrying troops I wouldn't mind. But I like them as they are now because I can get them cheaper. And the availability would get nerfed too as with all other IFVs

[trotskygrad]

If it did go back to carrying troops I wouldn't mind. But I like them as they are now because I can get them cheaper. And the availability would get nerfed too as with all other IFVs

cheaper you say?

[another505]

i would love them to be back in marine
while at it, are anzac lav-25 with the tow2 are used as transport during coldwar?

[Lord Helmchen]

Thread

^This. If it was used as a transport for the marines in the cold war it should be a transport for the marines in a cold war game. This is like putting the Marder1A3 in the vehicles section and saying that it cannot transport 10 men and is used to provide fire support for the Panzergrenadiere.
Also BTR-80A costs less than the LAV-25 but has better armor, a better AC and is able to transport troops. BTR-90 costs 5 points more though it has better armor, a better AC, is able to transport troops AND got an exceptional good ATGM.
EDIT: Damn, partially ninja'd by trotsky.

[NATO Potato]

If it did go back to carrying troops I wouldn't mind. But I like them as they are now pet card because I can get them cheaper. And the availability would get nerfed too as with all other IFVs

cheaper you say?

Yes because you are leaving out the extra 10-15 points the infantry squad costs. And the fact you can get at most like 8 btr80a per card because they carry infantry. Just my opinion.

[admiral9]

Thread

^This. If it was used as a transport for the marines in the cold war it should be a transport for the marines in a cold war game. This is like putting the Marder1A3 in the vehicles section and saying that it cannot transport 10 men and is used to provide fire support for the Panzergrenadiere.
Also BTR-80A costs less than the LAV-25 but has better armor, a better AC and is able to transport troops. BTR-90 costs 5 points more though it has better armor, a better AC, is able to transport troops AND got an exceptional good ATGM.
EDIT: Damn, partially ninja'd by trotsky.

LAV is priced from ALB stats not from RD stats if you ask me, just like a massive amount of other units. (T80U in my personal opinion comes to mind)

[LoneRifle]

I've complained about the BTR/LAV discrepancies before. Thank you for bringing these things to life Trot.

[SKLKNKR]

i would love them to be back in marine
while at it, are anzac lav-25 with the tow2 are used as transport during coldwar?

No, sadly. I'm fairly sure ASLAV-25s were only ever used in the a reconnaissance role, seeing as they also have ASLAV-PC's, something the Marines don't.

[trotskygrad]

If it did go back to carrying troops I wouldn't mind. But I like them as they are now pet card because I can get them cheaper. And the availability would get nerfed too as with all other IFVs

cheaper you say?

Yes because you are leaving out the extra 10-15 points the infantry squad costs. And the fact you can get at most like 8 btr80a per card because they carry infantry. Just my opinion.

I know, I'm saying that it would make sense for it to be cheaper per vehicle with infantry, while the whole combo would still be more expensive.