The Marines is testing its BAE-built Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), which is expected to be deployed by 2021. Two years ahead of its release, the new amphibious attack ship-to-shore combat vehicle has entered the Low Rate Initial Production. The Marines’ intention is to bridge the gap with other countries’ assault forces and meet the requirements set by the Combatant Commands.
And to do so, the Marines started working on an amphibious assault strategy with the Navy, in a bid to extend the US forces ability to penetrate into land defences after the take over of the shores.
Major Gen. David Coffman, Director of Naval Expeditionary Warfare, said: “We have an ongoing challenge in readiness, given the threats to amphibious forces.”
Both the Navy and the Marines have been expressing concerns regarding the current water-land assault force, deemed too small to meet current threats.
But the Amphibious Combat Vehicle seems to be the game changer for the US, as it has been designed for long-range sea-land combat operation.
The vehicle uses ocean water to cool its engine making it possible to carry up to 200 gallons of fuel, which would last for a 365-mile mission.
Moreover, the ACV is setting the bar higher for other amphibious machines, being an 8X8 wheeled vehicle which makes it faster, easier to manoeuvre and more resistant.
Its speed is impressive, as it travels at roughly 13 miles through water and at 60mph on land.
John Swift, director of Amphibious Warfare, told military news website Warrior Maven: “The Marine Corps went from tracked to wheeled because of advances in automotive technology.
“The ACV also has the power to incorporate jammers for a complex radio suite.”
As the vehicle can survive long-range combat operations, it has been given .50-Cal machine guns and has an unmanned turret, which the Corps can decide to integrate with a 30mm gun.
Weighting 30-tons, the vehicle is run by a 700hp engine, much stronger than the 400hp engines mounted on current amphibious vehicles.