The USMC is currently experiencing problems with its amphibious vehicles. The AAV7A1 is no longer used for regular deployments or for waterborne operations, after eight marines and a sailor were killed during a training exercise in July 2020, when their vehicle sank. In July 2022, waterborne operations for the ACV were also suspended after a training incident, when an ACV-P fell onto its side in the surf zone and a second was disabled. An investigation is underway and Swift said that, while the company would not comment on it, he acknowledged that the USMC is looking at the conditions during the exercise “but they’re not looking at the vehicle design”. This follows an earlier incident in July 2021 when the ACV experienced issues with its towing mechanism that required a new system to be installed. In 2021, the USMC down-selected General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems to develop prototype ARVs, which are due for evaluation in Q1/2023. But the Corps also wanted to see if the ACV could meet the ARV requirements. The C4/UAS ACV is “currently going through Marine Corps evaluation at Nevada Automotive Test Center. We expect to get government feedback comments in the next 4-5 months,” Swift explained, adding “BAE’s view of ARV is that it is a capability and we can easily adapt and integrate that into the ACV hull form. What we have done at the Marine Corps’ request is derive from the ARV requirement what electronics suite is necessary for advanced reconnaissance and integrate that into the ACV”. There have been doubts cast over the ARV programme, following successive FD2030 updates that have questioned the need for more vehicle-based reconnaissance capabilities in the multi-domain environment of the Indo-Pacific. However, Swift believes that using the ACV adapted to the ARV role – instead of initiating a new vehicle production programme – would allow a faster introduction of the platform at reduced cost. “ARV could immediately go into test with a warm production line from ACV ready to go and the support costs for spares and training would bring immense savings as well,” he stated. Resident in New Zealand, Tim Fish uses long experience as author and editor to provide timely intelligence on a host of issues pertinent to MilTech readers. Defence of the US and its Allies MT 5/2022 · 15 The USMC ACV loaded on board the landing dock platform USS Anchorage whilst alongside at Naval Base San Diego in October 2021. The vehicle was taking part in strategic mobility exercise (STRAMOBEX) focussing on transport capabilities to develop and refine tactics and doctrine for amphibious operations. (Photo: USMC) A platoon of ACV from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division about to swim out to the Landing Platform Dock USS Anchorage during a training exercise in March 2022 that demonstrated unit-level operations and certified vehicle crew members and their platforms for worldwide deployment. (Photo: USMC) f
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