Cougar

The armoured vehicle general purpose (AVGP) comes in three variants: the Cougar, the Grizzly and the Husky.

The Cougar's main function is to provide direct or semi-direct fire support in a combined operation.  It is also used as a training vehicle.

Crew

5 soldiers (3 soldiers with facilities for 2 more soldiers at  the rear of the vehicle)

Characteristics

Canada's AVGP Wheeled Combat Vehicle
Length: 5.97 m
Width: 2.50 m
Height: 2.62 m
Speed:    100 km/hr
Range: 600 km
Weight: 10.5 t
Gradient maximum: 60%
Side slope maximum: 30%
Minimum turn diameter: 13 m
Armament: 76-mm L23A1 gun;
7.62-mm machine-gun mounted on a two person ALVIS gun tourret;
2 four-barrel smoke grenade launchers
Sights
     Crew Command:
     Gunner:
day sight AV No 71
day sight AV No 54
Spotlight: 500,000 candle power
Engine: Detroit Diesel 275 hp
6V53T two-cycle turbocharged diesel
Transmission: automatic
(5 forward gears, 1 reverse)
Suspension: Hydraulic shock absorbers
Wheels: 6 X 6 drive
Tires: Michelin (steel belted radial)
27.9 cm x 40.6 cm
Brakes: Air over hydraulic with engine brake mounted on exhaust valves
Electrical system: 4 X 12 V
Batteries: 2 x 12 V
Alternator: 24 V, 100 amps

Status

In 1999, the Cougar is being gradually removed from service with the Regular Force and will remain operational at the Reserve unit level only.  Plans are being made to extend the life of some of the AVGP vehicles and to use them in a variety of new ways.   The AVGP entered service in 1976.

Manufacturer

General Motors Diesel Division, London, Ontario