Advanced Operational Control and Comprehensive Capability

BAE Systems has handed over the first of a new variant of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to the US Marine Corps (USMC) for testing, the company announced on 18 February.

The Command variant (ACV-C) is designed to provide the highest levels of communications, coordination, and analysis on the battlefield to support tactical C2. Under the ACV Family of Vehicles programme, the company is contracted to deliver two variants – the ACV personnel carrier (ACV-P) and the ACV-C. A 30mm cannon-armed variant (ACV-30) is currently under contract for design and development, while a recovery variant (ACV-R) is also planned.

The ACV-C employs multiple work stations for Marines to maintain and manage situational awareness in the battlespace. The work stations access independent networks for advanced digital communications while on the move – a capability that supports immediate information synchronisation in the application of combat power.

“This ACV’s base design for payload makes it a uniquely adaptable platform for the integration of numerous mission capability sets,” explained John Swift, Director of Amphibious Programs at BAE Systems. “The delivery of the first ACV-C for testing is significant, as it provides Marines with advanced operational control for defeating adversaries. Marines will be able to quickly receive and analyze data, coordinate battlefield functions, and transmit information to provide terminal mission control rapidly from the mobile protected ACV-C.”

The ACV platform was designed to grow and adapt to mission needs, allowing space for new capabilities as technology evolves – such as turreted, reconnaissance, EW, anti-air, and UAS systems integration.