ACV

   The US Marines were looking for a new 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrier, which would replace their ageing LAV-25 series of armored vehicles, that were used since the early 1980s. The US Marine Corps (USMC) currently operates more than 700 LAVs of all variants. The US Marine requirement was for a wheeled medium-weight fully-amphibious armored troop carrier, that could be launched from amphibious assault ships and operate in the open ocean. It was required that the new vehicle could fight on land alongside M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks. The requirement was for a vehicle produced in the United States. So in order to meet this requirement a number of international companies teamed up with US-based companies as an expediters for the US market.

   Initially the program was known as Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC). Originally it was planned that the USMC will acquire 579 new armored vehicles. There were 4 main contenders for this program, including Patria/Lockheed Martin Havoc, IVECO/BAE Systems SuperAV, ST Kinetics/SAIC Terrex 2, and unspecified General Dynamics vehicle, based on a LAV III design with an added amphibious capability. In 2012 these 4 contenders were awarded development contracts. Testing of these vehicles began in 2013. However in 2013 the program was cancelled due to limited funding. In 2014 the Marine Personnel Carrier program was merged with Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program. At the time Congress expressed concerns about funding two different vehicle programs to fulfill similar role. The Patria/Lockheed Martin Havoc and General Dynamics vehicle were eventually shortlisted. The last two remaining contenders were the modified IVECO/BAE Systems SuperAV, and ST Kinetics/SAIC Terrex 2. In 2018 the modified IVECO SuperAV was selected as the winner. A contract was awarded to BAE Systems for the delivery of first 30 production vehicles. More of these vehicles will be ordered in the near future. First production ACVs entered service in 2020. These are being produced at BAE Systems plants in the United States. The older LAV series vehicles will remain in service until at least 2024. The new ACV will gradually replace the some of the older AAV7 tracked amphibious armored personnel carriers. However the AAV7 will remain in service for some time. There are no iommediate plans to retire these tracked vehicles.

   The original Italian IVECO SuperAV armored personnel carrier was modified in a number of ways in order to meet the USMC requirement. The ACV has a boat-like hull, which was specially shaped for improved buoyancy and higher amphibious speed on water. The hull was also designed to withstand small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and various blasts. This armored vehicle is rather heavy and weights just over 30 t. It has a payload capacity of 3.3 t. This vehicle has a crew of 3 and can carry 13 Marines.

   Protection of the ACV has been improved significantly over the old LAV-25. Vehicle has steel armor hull with add-on armor kit. Protection level can be tailored depending on operational requirement. During peacetime add-on armor is normally removed, but it is being installed during deployments in various hotspots. Interior is lined with spall liner. There is an NBC protection system and automatic fire suppression system.

   The hull provides some degree of protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices. Crew and dismounts are seated on blast resistant seats. The old LAV-25 was particularly vulnerable to mines.

   The ACV can be armed with various weapon, including remotely-controlled weapon station with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and even a two-man turret with a 30 mm cannon. However it seems that this design reached its weight limitation already and will struggle to support heavier turrets. The previous LAV-25 packed a powerful 25 mm cannon and was used as a fighting vehicle for reconnaissance roles, raiding and screening operations. So it seems that the ACV lost some of the offensive capabilities of the LAV-25. So it seems that the ACV is mainly intended to carry marines and supplies from amphibious assault ships ashore, and then further inland. Still though this armored vehicle combines protection, speed and mobility and can fulfill other missions.

   Marines enter and leave the ACV via a rear power-operated ramp with integral doors. Also there are roof hatches for observation, firing and emergency exit.

   The ACV is powered by an IVECO Cursor 16 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 700 hp. It is a multi-fuel engine, which can ran on various grades of fuel. Engine is mated to an Allison automatic transmission with 7 forward and 2 reverse speeds. Vehicle has an 8x8 configuration and hydropneumatic suspension. On land the ACV is much faster than the AAV7. Propulsion on water is provided by 2 large waterjets located at the rear. Amphibious speed on water is 11 km/h. So on water it is as fast as the old LAV-25. The ACV can operate at Sea State 3. The ACV was designed to travel 22 km at sea and then 402 km on land. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which improved mobility over difficult terrain, such as sand, mud and snow. The wheels and tires have a run-flat capability.

   The previous LAV series had a whole host of variants, including command post vehicle, recovery vehicle, supply carrier, 81 mm mortar carrier, anti-tank missile carrier, electronic warfare vehicle and some other. Variants of the ACV are also being developed and deployed.

Variants

   ACV-30 reconnaissance and combat vehicle. It is fitted with a 30 mm turret and various sensors.

   Command post vehicle.

   Armored recovery vehicle.