New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Wednesday 28 April 2004
Successful NZLAV Flight In Air Force Hercules
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NZLAV indoctrination continued today at Ohakea as the Air Force successfully completed C-130 Hercules loading and flight
trials of the Army’s new Light Armoured Vehicle.
An Air Force Hercules flew the NZLAV for 40 minutes before landing and then flying for another 10 minutes.
The flights simulated a range of maneuvers including steep turns. Hercules Captain Flight Lieutenant Nathan MacDonald
said, “although this was probably one of the heaviest loads I have carried, I had no concerns about it”.
Brigadier Richard Ottaway, Deputy Chief of Army, said, "today's successful flight marks another important step in the
introduction of the Light Armoured Vehicle into service."
NZLAV is a key component in the modernisation of the NZ Army. It is a third generation Light Armoured Vehicle
manufactured by General Dynamics and includes a fully integrated weapons platform with state-of-the-art sighting,
navigation and fire system controls.
ENDS