BAE to Deliver More Amphibious Combat Vehicles to US Marine Corps

A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, moves toward the USS Harpers Ferry during Steel Knight 23 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 29, 2022. ACV’s are currently authorized to conduct waterborne operations in open and protected waters, while surf zone transit testing is ongoing. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, moves toward the USS Harpers Ferry during Steel Knight 23 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 29, 2022. ACV’s are currently authorized to conduct waterborne operations in open and protected waters, while surf zone transit testing is ongoing. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

Amphibious combat vehicle moves toward the USS Harpers Ferry. Photo: Cpl. Cameron Hermanet/US Marine Corps

The US Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems a $256.8-million third full-rate production contract for additional amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs).

Under the agreement, $145.3 million covers the delivery of 25 ACV Personnel (ACV-P) variants, while $111.5 million covers more than 15 AVC Combat (ACV-C) variants.

The contract includes fielding, production, and related support services for both ACVs.

Meeting Expeditionary Needs

BAE Systems’ ACV is an 8×8 land vehicle developed with enhanced payload, survivability, payload space, and open-ocean amphibious capability.

The vehicle’s initial full-rate production was signed by the US Marine Corps in 2021. The fleet is currently fielded with the service’s Fleet Marine Force.

Amphibious Combat VehicleAmphibious Combat Vehicle
BAE Systems’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle. Photo: BAE Systems

The ACV-C variant is also in full-rate production and will commence fielding in 2023.

“The ACV is an extremely versatile platform that continues our commitment to equip the Marines with the vehicle to meet their expeditionary needs,” BAE Systems Amphibious Programs Vice President Garrett Lacaillade stated.

“Today, with our strategic partner Iveco Defence Vehicles, we are delivering this critical capability to the Marines. Together, we are working to introduce new and future capabilities into the ACV family of vehicles.”

US Marines’ Increasing ACV Fleet

BAE Systems is engaged with the US Marine Corps for other ACV efforts, including the ACV Recovery (ACV-R) and ACV-30 variant development.

The ACV-R is being developed to replace the service’s aging AAVR7A1 legacy assault amphibious recovery vehicles.

Once deployed, the ACV-R will provide maintenance, direct field support, and recovery missions for the ACV vehicle lines.

Meanwhile, the ACV-30 will be used for lethality and protection while maintaining troop capacity and payload.

It is equipped with a medium-caliber Remote Turret System manufactured by Kongsberg.

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