Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle Completes Initial Operational Tests

BAE Systems’ ACV solution has completed thousands of miles of mobility testing and a full range of amphibious operations, including demonstrations of launch and recovery. BAE Systems

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corp’s new amphibious vehicle has completed a major step in its acquisition program and is on track for a full-rate production decision in November, a service acquisition official said. 

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), already in low-rate production by BAE Systems, completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation on Sept. 4, said John Garner, program executive officer for Land Systems, speaking Sept. 21 at the Virtual Modern Day-Marine Exposition. 

Garner said early fielding of the personnel carrier version of the ACV to a Marine Corps amphibious assault battalion will begin in the first week of October and be completed by the end of that month. Other variants of the ACV under development include a command-and-control ACV; an ACV armed with a 30mm cannon; and a recovery version designed to tow damaged vehicles to repair facilities.   

The ACV is replacing the AAAV7 family of assault amphibious vehicles. Garner said he expects there will be a robust Foreign Military Sales potential for the retired AAAV7 vehicles. 

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Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor