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USMC LVS

The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) is a modular system consisting of a Mk-48 front power unit (FPU) and interchangeable rear body units (RBU). LVS is used by Marine Corps combat service support motor transport units to deliver large quantities of supplies, containers, equipment, armored vehicles, or ammunition from beachheads, airfields, ports and railheads.

To change the engine of an MK48-18 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS), Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 motor transportation mechanics remove the cab and radiator from the FPU, Yecheon, Korea, 29 March 2007
To change the engine of an MK48-18 Logistics Vehicle System (LVS), Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 motor transportation mechanics remove the cab and radiator from the FPU, Yecheon, Korea, 29 March 2007.

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US Marine Corps Logistics Vehicle System (LVS)

The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) began service with the USMC in 1985, replacing the M123 10-ton tractor. The 16.5-ton LVS provides the Marine Corps with a heavy tactical lift capability by transporting bulk cargo, bulk fuel and water, and ammunition. The LVS is superseded by the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).

The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) modular system consists of the common Mk-48 Front Power Unit (FPU) and LVS Rear Body Units (RBU) which differ by function. The LVS is sometimes called the "Dragon Wagon," a name borrowed from the World War II M-26 Heavy Transporter.

USMC Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) with Mk-14 Trailer, Container Transporter RBU seen crossing a Medium Girder Bridge at OP-5, Camp Lejeune, NC, 11 February 1997. The LVS is armed with an M-2 .50 Cal. machine gun
USMC Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) with Mk-14 Trailer, Container Transporter RBU seen crossing a Medium Girder Bridge at OP-5, Camp Lejeune, NC, 11 February 1997. The LVS is armed with an M-2 .50 Cal. machine gun.

The LVS has an off-road payload of 12.5 tons and an on-road payload of 22.5 tons. All vehicles in the LVS family are manufactured by Oshkosh Truck Corporation of Oshkosh, WI.

LVS Rear Body Unit trailers (RBUs) powered by the Mk-48 front power unit include:

The FPU and RBU combination will be referred to, for example, as Mk-48/14 or Mk-48/18. Additional information and photos of each of the LVS component vehicles are found on the linked pages.

Operator's manuals for the LVS are divided by variant:

  • TM 08780B-10 covers the MK48/48A1 with Mk14, 15, 16 and 17/17A1
  • TM 2320-10/11 Supplement 1 covers the MK48/48A1 with Mk18
  • TM 09470B-10/1 covers the MK48/48A1 with Mk18A1

The lubrication order is Marine Corps Lubrication Instruction LI 2320-12/9B or Army Lubrication Order LO 9-2320-297-12. It consists of 25 cards.

LVS Mk48/18 carrying sections of Ribbon Bridge rolls off USNS 1ST Lt Jack Lummus (AK 3011), Gladstone Port, Queensland, Australia, 28 September 1999
LVS Mk48/18 carrying sections of Ribbon Bridge rolls off USNS 1ST Lt Jack Lummus (AK 3011), Gladstone Port, Queensland, Australia, 28 September 1999.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

Mk48 LVS Front Power Unit with Mk16 semitrailer adapter.
Mk48 LVS with fuel bladders and a pump system is loaded on the MV Villars, Valsneset, Norway, on its way to Estonia for BALTIC CHALLENGE 97, 5 Jul 1997
Trailer, Powered, 22 1/2-ton, Container Hauler, MK14/MK14A1 MOD 0. The MK14/14A1 combines with the MK48/48A1 Power Unit (D0209) to form the container hauler variant of the Logistics Vehicle System (LVS). The MK14/14A1 is a tandem axle, all metal, rear body unit that couples to the MK48/48A1 by an articulation joint to form an integrated, articulated, wheeled vehicle.
Power Unit, Front, 12 1/2-ton, MK48/MK48A1, MOD 0. The MK48/MK48A1 and their associated rear body units (RBU) form the Logistics Vehicle system (LVS). Used primarily by combat service support motor transport units to haul supplies in large quantities from beachheads, ports, railheads or airfields to combat service support areas, the MK48/MK48A1 is an all metal, fully enclosed, 4x4 tactical front power unit with a crew of two.
Washing a II Marine Expeditionary Force LVS before loading on a ship, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, 13 June 1996.
Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin, CA, filling a water tank on a MK48 logistics vehicle system (LVS) Dragon Wagon located at Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA, 23 June, 1997. A reverse osmosis water purification unit is in the background.

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