The Marine Corps Systems Command, based in Quantico, Virginia, has awarded BAE Systems a new order worth $184 million for the ACV 8×8 amphibious combat vehicles.
The order covers the supply of 30 ACV-30 8×8, the combat version of the ACV, including spare parts and technical support.
The said order will be fulfilled by BAE Systems by March 2028.
As known, BAE Systems collaborates with Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) in the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program initiated by the USMC for replacing the amphibious vehicles of the AAV-7 family at the end of their operational life.
Characteristics of the ACV-30
The ACV-30 is the fire support version of the amphibious transport vehicle (ACV 8×8) that features a MCT Protector Remote Turret 20, remotely controlled and stabilized by Kongsberg, equipped with an XM813 or a Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30×173 mm machine gun/cannon (or even with a 40×180 mm), purchased separately and integrated at the Naval Information Warfare Integration Center Atlantic.
Coaxially with the main weapon is a general-purpose machine gun caliber 7.62×51 mm with 200 rounds of immediate provision.
The armament of the RT20 can be completed externally with a heavy machine gun of 12.7×99 or with an automatic Mk 19 40 mm grenade launcher and launcher for anti-tank missiles (the Javelin for the USMC).
The electro-optical suite (EO/IR) includes a daytime camera, a thermal camera and a laser rangefinder that allows precisely calculating the target distance for optimized fire.
The ACV-30 enables the transport of troops, mission-essential equipment, and other useful loads, while ensuring fire support in action; the light turret adopted also ensures the platform’s mobility.
Other ACV versions
BAE Systems, together with Iveco Defence Vehicles that builds the ACV hull later completed in the United States, has so far signed contracts with the USMC for the ACV-Personnel (ACV-P) and ACV-Command (ACV-C).
The ACV-P variant can transport 13 Marines with combat load plus three crew members, while the ACV-C variant offers various workstations to Marines for maintaining and managing situational awareness on the battlefield.
Additionally, BAE Systems is preparing three representative production trial vehicles, ACV-Recovery (ACV-R) variant, which will provide field maintenance, recovery, and repair capabilities to amphibious assault vehicle manufacturers in support of the Marine division.
Source: US Department of War (US DoW)
Photo credit: @BAE Systems
