View source for Engineering:LIV (SO) Serval

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations<br />LIV (SO) Serval
| image              = Serval 2.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = German LIV (SO)
| origin             = {{wipe|Germany}}
| type               = [[Engineering:Military light utility vehicle|Light Utility Vehicle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 2004 - present
| used_by            = [[Engineering:LIV (SO) Serval#Operators|Operators]]
| wars               = <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = Rheinmetall
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 21+
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|3500|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|5.64|m|in|1|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|2.50|m|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|2.30|m|in|1|abbr=on}}
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 4
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 1 × 40 mm HK GMG or .50 caliber [[Engineering:M2 Browning|M2 Browning]] heavy machine gun
| secondary_armament = 2× Rheinmetall MG3 7.62×51mm general purpose machine guns
| engine             = 2.685 litre, 5 cylinder diesel engine
| engine_power       = {{convert|156|hp|abbr=on}}
| transmission       = 5 speed automatic
| payload_capacity   = {{convert|1200|kg|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|150|litre|abbr=on}}
| pw_ratio           = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|830|km|abbr=on}}
| speed              = {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = 
}}

The '''Rheinmetall LandSysteme Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations''', or '''LIV (SO)''', is a German [[Engineering:Military light utility vehicle|light armoured utility vehicle]] based on the [[Engineering:Mercedes-Benz G-Class|Mercedes-Benz G-Class]]. It is also known by the names [[Biology:Serval|Serval]], [[Biology:Wolf|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.

==Names==
The name "Rheinmetall LandSysteme (RLS) Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations" is abbreviated as LIV (SO).<ref name=janes>{{cite web|title=Rheinmetall Landsysteme Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations (LIV (SO)), Serval (Germany), Special attack vehicles |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/Rheinmetall-Landsysteme-Light-Infantry-Vehicle-for-Special-Operations-LIV-SO-Serval-Germany.html |work=Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=11 November 2010 |accessdate=6 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811212239/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/Rheinmetall-Landsysteme-Light-Infantry-Vehicle-for-Special-Operations-LIV-SO-Serval-Germany.html |archivedate= 11 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  It is also marketed under the names Wolf and Serval. The German name for the LIV (SO) is ''Aufklärungs- und Gefechtsfahrzeug'', meaning "reconnaissance and combat vehicle". The vehicle is also marketed by the abbreviation of this name, AGF, without translation. The LIV (SO) is also referred to by a combination of these names, such as LIV (SO) Wolf, LIV (SO) Serval and Serval AGF.<ref name=janes /><ref name=casr>{{cite web|title=Wolf / Serval – G-wagen but Canid or Cat? |url=http://www.casr.ca/bg-special-ops-vehicle-wolf.htm |publisher=Canadian American Strategic Review |accessdate=6 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907151005/http://www.casr.ca/bg-special-ops-vehicle-wolf.htm |archivedate= 7 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Development and operational history==
Rheinmetall was awarded the contract for the LIV (SO) by Germany's Ministry of Defence in 2002. The vehicles were required on an immediate need basis, and Rheinmetall were given only 10 months to deliver the first example of the vehicle. The initial order was for 21 vehicles, all of which were delivered to German special forces units in 2004. The Swiss Army obtained several modified LIV(SO)s in 2007.<ref name="janes" /> The LIV (SO) was also considered for purchase by Lithuania in 2005, although the final contract was given to [[Company:Land Rover|Land Rover]].<ref name=rdv>{{cite web|title=Land Rover Defender Rapid Deployment Vehicle (RDV) and Weapons Mount Installation Kit (WMIK) (United Kingdom), Special attack vehicles |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/Land-Rover-Defender-Rapid-Deployment-Vehicle-RDV-and-Weapons-Mount-Installation-Kit-WMIK-United-Kingdom.html |work=Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=19 October 2010 |accessdate=6 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811212214/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/Land-Rover-Defender-Rapid-Deployment-Vehicle-RDV-and-Weapons-Mount-Installation-Kit-WMIK-United-Kingdom.html |archivedate= 11 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2019, the German Army filed an official request for a replacement of the Serval. Up to 80 vehicles in a 2-class configuration are planned.

==Features and characteristics==
[[Image:Serval 1.jpg|thumb|left|A LIV (SO) equipped with a heavy machine gun.]]
The LIV (SO) is developed on the chassis and running gear of the 270 CDI model of the [[Engineering:Mercedes-Benz G-Class|Mercedes-Benz G-Class]].<ref name="janes" /> However, the [[Engineering:Gross vehicle weight rating|gross vehicle weight rating]] and [[Physics:Wheelbase|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 [[Engineering:Four-wheel drive|four-wheel drive]]n, and is powered by a {{convert|2685|cc|abbr=on}} 5-cylinder diesel engine capable of producing {{convert|156|hp}}. The engine is low grade fuel tolerant, and complies with the [[Engineering:European emission standards|Euro 3 emission standards]]. The [[Engineering:Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] is a Mercedes-Benz 5-speed [[Engineering:Automatic transmission|automatic]].<ref name="janes" />

The maximum speed of the LIV (SO) is {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}, and it has a range of {{convert|830|km|abbr=on}} on {{convert|150|litre}} 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<ref name=amr>{{cite web|last=Kemp |first=Ian |title=Special Operations and Light Role Mobility - More than an SUV? |url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200805032212101.pdf |publisher=Asian Military Review |accessdate=6 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904124000/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200805032212101.pdf |archivedate= 4 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> or a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.<ref name="casr" />

===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.<ref name="janes" /> The vehicle is fitted with a Rheinmetal 609K [[Engineering:Weapon mount|weapon station]], which can be equipped with weapons such as the Heckler & Koch GMG [[Engineering:40 mm grenade|40 mm]] grenade launcher, or .50 caliber heavy machine gun.<ref name="amr" /> [[Engineering:Weapon mount#Swing Arm|Swing arm mounts]] at the rear deck and the front passenger's seat allow the vehicle to be equipped with two 7.62&nbsp;mm general purpose machine guns.<ref name="casr" />

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
[[File:LIV (SO) operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with LIV (SO) operators in blue]]


===Current operators===
* {{flag|Germany}}: Used by the KSK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://esut.de/en/2020/04/meldungen/20016/mobilitaet-fuer-spezialkraefte-der-bundeswehr-stand-der-ausschreibungen/|title = Mobility for special forces of the Bundeswehr - state of tenders}}</ref> In August 2021, it's due to be replaced by the AGF 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defbrief.com/2021/08/06/germany-buys-new-air-launched-special-forces-vehicles-from-defenture/|title = Germany buys new air-launched special forces vehicles from Defenture|date = 6 August 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Switzerland}}<ref name="janes" />

===Future operators===
* {{flag|Germany}}, 1,004 Caracal on order<ref>{{Cite web |last=ANP |date=2023-07-11 |title=Miljardenorder Nederland en Duitsland voor wapenmaker Rheinmetall |url=https://nieuws.nl/algemeen/20230711/miljardenorder-nederland-en-duitsland-voor-wapenmaker-rheinmetall/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Nieuws.nl |language=nl}}</ref> for the [https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/organisation/division-schnelle-kraefte/luftlandebrigade-1 Luftlandebrigade 1], [https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/organisation/division-schnelle-kraefte/gebirgsjaegerbrigade-23 Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23] and the KSK. An additional order for 1,050 vehicles is expected eventually. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=ANP |date=2023-07-11 |title=Miljardenorder Nederland en Duitsland voor wapenmaker Rheinmetall |url=https://nieuws.nl/algemeen/20230711/miljardenorder-nederland-en-duitsland-voor-wapenmaker-rheinmetall/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Nieuws.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
* {{flag|Netherlands}}, 504 Caracal ordered in 2023 for the "Luchtmobiele Brigade". Goal of 1,004 Caracal for the Netherlands Army. Delivery planned from 2025, Dutch variant assembled by VDL Special Vehicles BV - Eindhoven. The first order is a common one with the German Army, total 1,508 vehicles for €870 million.<ref name=":0" />
* {{flag|Ukraine}}, 5 Caracal to be delivered to Ukraine at the end of 2023, beginning of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=Rheinmetall wird Luftlandefahrzeug Caracal an die Ukraine liefern |url=https://soldat-und-technik.de/2023/11/mobilitaet/36011/rheinmetall-wird-luftlandefahrzeug-caracal-an-die-ukraine-liefern/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=soldat-und-technik.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.rk-bodenwerder.de/datenblatt01.htm Detailed pictures of the AGF]

[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|LIV (SO) Serval}}