LIV SO Serval

The Rheinmetall LandSysteme Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations, or LIV SO, is a German light armoured utility vehicle developed from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It is also known by the names Serval, Wolf and AGF. As the name implies, the LIV (SO) is designed specifically for use by special operations forces, and has light armour, high mobility and high firepower. Development of the vehicle started in 2002, and 21 were procured by the German Army for the KSK special forces in 2004. An unspecified number of vehicles were delivered to the Swiss Army in 2007.

Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations LIV (SO) Serval
Type	Light Utility Vehicle
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	2004 - present
Used by	German Army KSK, Swiss Army
Production history
Manufacturer	Rheinmetall
Number built	21+
Specifications
Weight	3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb)
Length	5.64 metres (18.5 ft)
Width	2.50 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Height	2.30 metres (7 ft 7 in)
Crew	4
Main armament	1 x 40 mm HK GMG or .50 caliber heavy machine gun
Secondary armament	2x Rheinmetall MG3 7,62 x 51 mm general purpose machine guns
Engine	2.685 litre, 5 cylinder diesel engine 156 horsepower (116 kW)
Payload capacity	1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb)
Transmission	5 speed automatic
Fuel capacity	150 litres (33 imp gal; 40 US gal)
Operational range	830 kilometres (520 mi)
Speed	120 kilometres (75 mi) per hour

The LIV (SO) is developed on the chassis and running gear of the 270 CDI model of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. However, the gross vehicle weight rating and wheelbase of the LIV (SO) are both higher than that of the normal G-Class. The Mercedes-Benz developed chassis, complete with the engine compartments, is fitted with rear compartment and frame to complete the vehicle, which are designed by Rheinmetall developed by Binz GmbH & Co. The frame provides roll-over protection. The LIV (SO) is four-wheel driven, and is powered by a 2.685 litres (0.591 imp gal; 0.709 US gal) 5-cylinder diesel engine capable of producing 156 horsepower (116 kW). The engine is low grade fuel tolerant, and complies with the Euro 3 emission standards. The transmission is a Mercedes-Benz 5-speed automatic.

The maximum speed of the LIV (SO) is 120 kilometres (75 mi) per hour, and it has a range of 830 kilometres (520 mi) on 150 litres (33 imp gal; 40 US gal) of fuel. The LIV (SO) is air-transportable, and its weapons station can be folded to ready the vehicle for loading inside a Sikorsky CH-53 heavy-lift transport helicopter or a CH-147 Chinook helicopter.

Armament and armour

The LIV (SO) is a lightly armoured vehicle. Its underside provides protection against hand grenade blasts, and can be upgraded to withstand anti-personnel mine blasts. Partial ballistic and hand grenade splinter protection body panels can be added, and the engine compartment can be armoured as well. The windscreen is not armoured, but is removable and can be replaced with armoured glass. The vehicle is fitted with a Rheinmetal 609K weapon station, which can be equipped with weapons such as the Heckler & Koch GMG 40 mm grenade launcher, or .50 caliber heavy machine gun. Swing arm mounts at the rear deck and the front passenger's seat allow the vehicle to be equipped with two 7.62 mm general purpose machine guns.