Light Vehicles — Battlefield 3 Premium eGuide

The light vehicles are the fastest land vehicles in the game, and are useful for rushing control points and M-COM stations at the start of a battle. But their light armor and exposed positions make them death traps if driven into heavy action. Most explosive munitions can disable these vehicles with one hit, potentially killing the driver and passengers. Their greatest defensive asset is their speed and off-road capability. To ensure survival, use these vehicles to traverse terrain on a map’s periphery; stay away from heated battles near control points and M-COM stations. Although these vehicles can attain high speeds on roads, most roads are traveled by larger and more deadly vehicles like tanks and IFVs. So stay off-road and out of sight. Such tactics are essential when staging raids on distant enemy-held control points or M-COM stations. There are no vehicle unlocks or loadout options for the light vehicles.

Growler ITV

Nationality: US

Description: Used by the USMC starting in 2009, the Growler is the only transport vehicle that fits in the V-22 Osprey.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	12.7mm Machine Gun
3	Passenger	Troop Kit

VDV Buggy

Nationality : RU

Description : Russian paratrooper light buggy.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	12.7mm Machine Gun
3	Passenger	Troop Kit

M1114 HMMWV

Nationality : US

Description : This vehicle has served in every division of the US Armed Forces for 20 years; increased armor was added as a response to urban threats.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	HMG .50
3	Passenger	None
4	Passenger	None

GAZ-3937 Vodnik

Nationality : RU

Description : Dependable armored 4x4 that was introduced in 1997.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	HMG .50
3	Passenger	None
4	Passenger	None

RHIB

Nationality : US and RU

Description : The Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) is a vessel whose hull is partially rigid and partially inflatable to allow it to traverse long distances at high speed.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	Light Machine Gun
3	Passenger	None
4	Passenger	None

Skid Loader

Description : Neutral

The Skid Loader is a small four-wheeled construction vehicle capable pushing or carrying material with its front-mounted bucket.

These compact vehicles are extremely agile and maneuverable, making them easy to use in crowded construction sites.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Passenger	Troop Kit
3	Passenger	Troop Kit

DPV

Nationality : US

Designed as a fast attack vehicle for Special Operations units, the DPV is known for its lightweight yet rugged construction. While it’s not effective against armored vehicles, it poses a significant threat to infantry.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	Heavy Machine Gun
3	Passenger	Troop Kit

Quad Bike

Nationality : US and RU Description: Fast unarmored transport vehicle with two seats.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Passenger	Troop Kit

Rhino

Nationality : US and RU

Description : Modified van with remote turret and open passenger seats.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	HMG .50
2	Passenger	Troop Kit
3	Passenger	Troop Kit
4	Passenger	Troop Kit

Phoenix

Nationality : US

Description : Modified armored jeep with grenade launcher and HMG.

Vehicle Performance

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	HMG .50
3	Grenadier	Grenade Launcher

Barsuk

Nationality : RU

Description : Modified armored jeep with grenade launcher and HMG.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	HMG .50
3	Grenadier	Grenade Launcher

Field Notes

This modified GAZ-3937 Vodnik performs similarly to the Phoenix. However, the turret positions are reversed: the grenade launcher is on the front, and the heavy machine gun is on the back. While the front-mounted grenade launcher can rotate only 180 degrees, the rear-mounted machine gun can traverse a full 360 degrees. This allows the gunner on the back the ability to engage targets in all directions. Since the machine gun is mounted slightly higher than the grenade launcher turret, visibility is unobstructed when engaging targets straight ahead as well. Given the improved visibility of the rear gunner, the Barsuk is harder to sneak up on from the rear—or any direction for that matter. Structurally, the Barsuk has a slightly higher profile than the Phoenix, therefore it is a bit unstable on uneven terrain. Watch your speed when turning, otherwise you may inadvertently roll the vehicle onto its side.

ASRAD

Nationality : US

Description : Armored jeep modified with a roof-mounted ASRAD cannon.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	ASRAD
3	Passenger	Troop Kit
4	Passenger	Troop Kit

Vodnik AA

Nationality : RU

Description : Armored jeep modified with a roof-mounted ASRAD cannon.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Gunner	ASRAD
3	Passenger	Troop Kit
4	Passenger	Troop Kit

Dirtbikes

Nationality : US and RU

Description : Fast unarmored transport vehicle capable of carrying two persons.

Vehicle Performance

Speed
Armor
Firepower

Vehicle Occupancy

Seat	Position	Weapon
1	Driver	None
2	Passenger	Troop Kit

[ Light Vehicle Tactics ]

The roof-mounted machine guns found on most of these vehicles are excellent anti-aircraft guns. Fire a steady burst of automatic fire at enemy helicopters to make them spin out of control. On the HMMWV and Vodnik, the gunner operates the machine gun turret from within the vehicle, which protects the gunner from small arms fire. Each turret also has a zoom function, making them great weapons for spotting and engaging enemies at long range.
Think twice before loading your entire squad into one of these vehicles. All it takes is one hit from a tank or rocket launcher to disable your ride, potentially killing a large number of your squad members. If the vehicle becomes disabled, bail out and seek cover before the flaming wreck explodes.
Given their speed, the light vehicles are great for scoring road kills. Simply drive directly toward enemy troops at high speed and run them down before they can dash out of your way.
Passengers in the Growler ITV and VDV Buggy can fire the weapons from their troop kits. But accurately targeting enemies while driving in moving vehicle is tough. It’s often better to save your ammo for when the vehicle reaches its destination.
At the start of a battle, don’t drive off in one of these vehicles until a few teammates hop inside.
On most maps, these vehicles serve as your team’s primary means of transportation. Stranding teammates at your base won’t win you any fans.
However, your squad mates can spawn into the vehicle if there are open seats.
One of the highlights of any Battlefield game is the vehicles. Nothing can be more entertaining than hopping into a tank and cruising across the landscape, laying waste to both enemy vehicles and structures.
Many of the vehicles from Battlefield 3 have returned in the Back to Karkand maps, along with some new vehicles that were originally featured in Battlefield 2 .
Quad bikes have no armor, leaving the driver and passenger completely exposed. Furthermore, the vehicle can be quickly destroyed by small-arms fire, so keep moving and avoid areas of high enemy concentration.
Quad bikes make excellent car bombs. Stick two or three C4 charges to the front of a quad bike and then drive it into the side or rear of an enemy tank or tank destroyer. While traveling at high speed, jump off the quad bike approximately 20 meters before impacting the enemy vehicle. The quad bike will continue traveling in a straight line toward the enemy vehicle. When the driverless quad bike makes contact, detonate the C4 to score an unorthodox vehicle kill.
It’s possible to accurately fire guided anti-vehicle weapons like the Javelin, IGLA, or Stinger from the back of a moving quad bike. This combination can make the quad bike a formidable threat on a battlefield filled with tanks and aircraft.
Given their speed, quad bikes are great for scoring road kills. Simply drive directly toward enemy troops at high speed and run them down before they can dash out of your way.
At the start of a battle, don’t drive off in one of these vehicles until a teammate hops on the back. On most maps, these vehicles serve as your team’s primary means of transportation. Stranding teammates at your base won’t win you any fans. However, your squadmates can spawn into the vehicle if there is an available seat.
Quad bikes can perform some amazing jumps. Look for ramps or other sloped terrain to send this vehicle flying through the air.
Park a Rhino near a control point, loaded with C4. Use the Rhino to bait enemies in, then detonate the C4 once they’re close enough.
Avoid prolonged solo use of the Rhino, as it is prone to being disabled or destroyed if proactive repairs are not made.
While driving the Rhino, avoid tanks and IFVs at all costs because they will quickly destroy the vehicle with one or two direct cannon rounds.
The best method to keep this murder bus in operation is to have passengers repairing the vehicle as it comes under fire. While sitting in the passenger seat you are also able to drop ammo boxes and medic kits, in turn, healing and resupplying the occupants of the vehicle.
The Rhino has little to no cover, which means that occupants are exposed to incoming fire. But in contrast, these openings also give a clear view of anyone attempting to plant C4 on the vehicle.
The Rhino is also great for getting through tight spaces, so don’t be afraid to lose a tank by turning down a small alley. Driving through narrow openings also lends itself well to getting across a map quickly to flank control points during Conquest matches.
In light engagements, the Phoenix and Barsuk are useful as a stationary turrets. Just be sure that an escape route is already available in the event that the fire-fight escalates.
The Phoenix and Barsuk are highly effective patrol vehicles. Make use of their speed and firepower to control objectives and choke points.
Before riding a dirtbike, it is possible to throw an ammo crate or medic kit onto it. This effectively heals and resupplies the driver and passenger while they are on it.
Sometimes, the most direct path is not the safest. In times like these, keep an eye out for the ramps that are located throughout the maps. Dirtbikes can take advantage of these to make quick escapes or get the jump on enemy forces.
Dirtbikes make great bombs, too! These vehicles tend to be plentiful and maintain their momentum for some time after bailing out. So, if you don’t mind destroying yours, strap some C4 to it and drive at breakneck speed toward your target and bail out; just don’t forget to detonate the charge.
The cannon on both the ASRAD and Vodnik AA has a high effective range. Use this to your advantage to protect control points and M-COMs from afar, instead of engaging the enemy at close range, where the vehicles’ vulnerability to explosives can be exploited.