The AV-L will be faster and more manoeuvrable than the LARC-V it will replace. Image: Birdon.
Port Macquarie NSW-based Birdon has been selected to provide new amphibious vehicles to the Australian Army to replace the long-serving Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V).
Under the $125 million Phase 1B of the Project LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program contract, Birdon will build one prototype and 15 production Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-L) for the Australian Army to replace the LARC-V vehicles.
Despite being visually similar to the vehicles they will replace, Birdon says the AV-Ls will offer significant advances in speed, safety, reliability and performance over the Vietnam-era LARC.
They feature advanced propulsion and steering systems which combine water jet and dynamic drive train technologies which enable operations on land, marsh, clay, and surf environments. The company says enhanced in-water manoeuvrability, improved speed, and responsive reversing performance allow for agile operations, including rapid rescues in emergency scenarios.
The drive system automatically detects and adjusts for wheel bogging and slipping, and also has front and rear steering, automatic tyre inflation, ride height control, and self-levelling suspension. Shock-absorbant seating reduces operator fatigue.
The vehicle also features a modular payload system with a deck crane, advanced fire safety measures, and a reverse flush system to clear debris from the jet intake.
Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said the AV-L contract strengthened Australia’s sovereign defence capability and showcased Birdon’s leadership in innovative maritime and automotive engineering excellence.
“The project reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering Defence-ready solutions tailored to Australia’s unique operating environments,” he said. “It builds on our proven expertise in integrated design, engineering, logistics, and construction.”
Concept art of Birdon LMV-Ms and AV-Ls at work. Image: Birdon.
The selection of the AV-L completes the three-phased LAND 8710 program to replace the Army’s and the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of small, medium and heavy amphibious vessels.
Birdon was also selected in November 2023 for the Army’s LAND 8710 Phase 1A Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LMV-M) requirement to replace 15 LCM-8 landing craft.
By comparison with the 22-metre-long LCM-8, at nearly 49 metres, the Birdon LMV-M is much larger and also features cabin accommodation and a galley for its crew and some passengers, integral weapons stations, and will be capable of self-deploying from northern bases over much longer distances.
Despite being a Birdon design, Austal will build the LMV-Ms at its Henderson WA shipyard, while Birdon will build the AV-Ls at Port Macquarie.
The larger LAND 8710 Phase 2A Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Heavy (LMV-H) requirement will be fulfilled by the 3900-tonne Damen LST100 which is nearly eight times heavier than the old Land Craft-Heavy (LCH) it is designed to replace. These vessels will also be built by Austal at Henderson.
