Canada's LAV III vehicle upgrade to include enhanced surveillance suite

LONDON, Ontario, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- An enhanced surveillance suite is to be provided and installed on upgraded Canadian military LAV III armored vehicles by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.

The surveillance system will include a 32.8-foot retractable mast, an operator control station and a surveillance suite consisting of radar, thermal/day and image intensification sights, laser range finder and GPS.

The contract is worth about $253.3 million and was announced by Minister of Public Works and Government Services Diane Finley.

"General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada continues their 37 year partnership with the Government of Canada," said Danny Deep, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. "More than 20 years ago, we designed and delivered to the Canadian Army the Coyote vehicle, which at the time was the best reconnaissance/surveillance vehicle in the world. We are now privileged to deliver the next generation of advanced surveillance capability to the Canadian soldier."

Upgraded LAV III infantry fighting vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems have been designated LAV 6.0. Delivery of the vehicles is to begin at the end of 2016.